Cable channel Bravo’s Work of Art: The Next Great Artist reality series turns to book jacket design on today’s episode, airing at 10 PM. The twelve contests are asked to design the cover for a Penguin book. The winner is selected this evening, and tomorrow Penguin “will publish the title featuring the winning design.”
Archives for June 2010
Amazon Cuts Kindle Price, New iOS Releases, and More
Hours after Barnes & Noble’s price cut on Nook and announcement of a new lower-priced wi-fi model, Amazon announced a price reduction of its own. They lowered the price on the regular model of Kindle from $269 to $189, effective immediately. The press loves “price wars” and of course everyone is an expert on what this means, and what it portends. Barnes & Noble is particularly vocal in media accounts. CEO William Lynch tells the NYT, “I don’t see more than two, or maybe three dedicated reading companies in the market for selling e-books. I think you are starting to […]
People, Etc.
Among approximately 35 layoffs at the San Diego Union Tribune: books editor and art critic Robert Pincus. The paper describes the process of “reshaping our newsroom” which includes new hires and revised vision of what the paper should cover. While promising “coverage of pop and classical music, theater and fine art” and a new “critic-at-large who ventures beyond entertainment and the arts,” there’s no mention of books coverage or a replacement for Pincus.Editor’s noteVoice of San Diego on layoffs Dorling Kindersley deputy ceo Andrew Phillips is taking over as president of Penguin International, one of the posts vacated by David […]
Abrams and Chronicle In Joint Venture to Sell and Market in UK and Europe
Abrams and Chronicle are announcing a UK joint venture in which the UK sales and marketing group Abrams has run since 2004 is expanding to handle both titles from both companies. Called Abrams & Chronicle Books, under managing director Chuck Lang the unit will have a staff of 11 sales and marketing professionals. In addition to the Abrams and Chronicle lists, the company will continue to distribute “a select group of US and international publishers” and recruit “new complementary” clients. New international sales director David Gooding and eight export reps will handle sales and distribution throughout Europe, “where the new […]
Lunch Weekly for Monday, June 21
Deal Reports Just e-mail to deals@PublishersMarketplace if you aren’t using the online form linked below. Report a deal using the online form The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut Faber & Faber writing academy stdent S.J. Watson’s BEFORE I GO […]
Davidar's Attorney Says Was "A Consensual, Flirtatious Relationship"
In advance of a formal reply to the court, former Penguin Canada ceo David Davidar’s attorney Peter Downard released a statement, saying “the public attacks require Mr. Davidar’s response.” Their story is that “Davidar had a consensual, flirtatious relationship that grew out of a close friendship with a colleague” and they imply that Rundle turned it into a dispute after he decided “their relationship should be confined to business.” Davidar says that in 2007 “their friendship became flirtatious” and he “suggested to Ms. Rundle that their relationship become more romantic.” The statement claims ebbs and flows in that flirtation, but […]