Former Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl is joining Random House as an editor-at-large (and has sold three books to the house, to be edited by Susan Kamil). Noting that she “published a wide variety of writers who explored every aspect of food, from recipes to politics to culture” at Gourmet, the announcement says she will continue to acquire and edit “established and debuting authors who are expanding our food horizons.” At HarperCollins, Christine Maddalena has been promoted to senior publicist. Founder of Questia Media Troy Williams has joined Macmillan in the new position of vp and general manager, new ventures, […]
Archives for September 2010
Shaffer’s Publisher Clarifies Government’s Role In Changing New Book
Publisher of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer’s just-released OPERATION DARK HEART Thomas Dunne Books has addressed the reports that began with the Department of Defense asking for changes in the book and have led recently to rumors of a Pentagon-sponsored burning of the first printing. “The true facts are that the government bought the first printing in its entirety and we destroyed and recycled those copies at their request,” Dunne writes. The changes made to the manuscript “were made at the request of the author,” Dunne says, after meeting with government officials to hear their concerns. He adds, “The Department of […]
Canada’s Key Porter Books Lays Off 15, Closes Toronto Office
The National Post reports that Canadian imprint Key Porter Books “is drastically downscaling its operations” dismissing a “reported 15 or so employees” yesterday and transferring others to parent company HB Fenn’s offices in Bolton, Ontario. The line is closing their Toronto office. Now-former head of special and corporate sales Paula Sloss tells the paper, “Business has been very challenging right across the board for all publishers right now. There was concern. But it was a shock that it happened today, and a shock that it was so abrupt.” As they write, Key Porter “has traditionally been strong in Canadian-oriented non-fiction.”Article
People, Etc.
The Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association has hired Deborah Leonard as their new executive director, taking over from Jim Dana, who is retiring (and plans to work for the Peace Corps in Lesotho). Leonard was most recently a sales manager at Cengage Learning, and started her publishing career as a bookseller in Nashville, TN for ZIbart’s. Penguin UK digital publisher Jeremy Ettinghausen is leaving, to become a creative director at the advertising agency BBH. This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will include a Diary of a Wimpy Kid balloon. Copyright Clearance Center has expanded its European presence and opened a […]
Agency News: Victor Launches Speakers Bureau, and More
Agent Ed Victor is launch the Ed Victor Speakers Bureau. It will be run by the agency’s Charlie Campbell, with Victor’s son Ryan Victor also participating. Victor calls it “one of those ideas that you have, and wish you had had sooner.” He tells London’s Evening Standard “There’s a great appetite from audiences to engage with authors and breathe the same air.” The paper says the new venture will book such well-known people as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Rupert Everett, and Tina Brown. Victor tells us he has already signed to represent people who are not clients of the Ed […]
Borders Delays Their Vote Until Tomorrow
At the last minute Borders has postponed the special shareholders meeting that was set for today in Ann Arbor until the end of day tomorrow. They say “while support for the proposals contained in the proxy statement has been strong, there are a significant number of shareholders who have not yet had the opportunity to vote and we want to give them time to consider the proposals and vote.” The ballot essentially gives shareholders the “option” of giving Bennett LeBow a massive option package–or else he gets “stock appreciation rights” that pay him anyway if the stock moves above the […]