Swedish author Henning Mankell was among those on boats headed to the Gaza strip, and according to Agence France Press he is also one of nine Swedes now in Israeli custody following their attack on the flotilla. The wire service, which has been in touch with Sweden’s foreign ministry, says that the prisoners “have reportedly been given the choice” between deportation and a trial in Israeli court.
Mankell had indicated in a statement before setting sail that he “was taking part in the flotilla to show his solidarity towards the Palestinian people.”
AFP
Rick Warren‘s big fall book THE HOPE YOU NEED: From the Lord’s Prayer has been “postponed indefinitely” according to a Friday announcement from Zondervan. CEO Moe Girkins says, “Rick has expressed his need to focus on some other projects at this time…. We understand many people will be disappointed at the delay, but we fully support Rick and respect his decision. Of course, we remain eager to bring this book to market when the time comes.”
Amy Hertz is leaving Dutton later this week to launch Tangerine Ink, a new-media, multi-platform, editorial and publishing advisory. She will continue as books editor at the Huffington Post.
ICM agent Esther Newberg told the NY Post she is “lying in wait for the moment when I can get back at” Andrew Wylie after he tried to poach a client from another ICM agent recently. Speaking about the ridiculous supposed nickname for Wylie “The Jackal,” used almost exclusively by the UK press rather than anyone in the business, Newberg told Pia Lindstrom in a Sirius radio interview that “I think I gave him that.”
NYP
Jeff Bezos returned to alma mater Princeton one year shy of his 25th reunion to address the graduating class. His message? “Cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy — they’re given after all. Choices can be hard. You can seduce yourself with your gifts if you’re not careful, and if you do, it’ll probably be to the detriment of your choices.”
The university says he “made an impassioned plea… to pay close attention to the choices they make in life, as they will dictate not only success, but happiness.”
Speech
Princeton release
At the Random House publishing group’s digital department, Lisa Turner has been promoted to digital project manager, responsible for overseeing the coordination and organization of digital projects, including enhanced eBooks, original e-content creation, and their “upcoming mobile marketing platform.”
At F+W Media, Phil Sexton has been promoted to publisher and community leader for their writing community. He was vp of sales, and will continue to spearhead the company’s proprietary publishing program.
Jon Ackerman has been promoted to sales director for Adams Media, reporting to Adams Media publisher/community leader Karen Cooper.