Walt Mossberg believes (like many) that the iPad is “a very good ereader.” He reviews reading apps from Apple, Amazon and BN/Nook and finds things to like–and dislike–about each. The hidden “news” is his finding that the iBookstore is up to 130,000 titles. From his modest price tests, he doesn’t seem to understand the books from the five big agency-model publishers will always be the same, but books from other publishers can vary.WSJ
Archives for September 2010
Wiley’s Pesce to Retire; Stephen Smith to Succeed Him
John Wiley ceo for the past 13 years William Pesce will retire from that position on April 30, 2011. Pesce has led the company during a dramatic period of expansion. As chairman of the board Peter Booth Wiley notes, Pesce has overseen “the most significant changes in its 203-year history, including consummating the company’s largest acquisition; capitalizing on investments in enabling technology to serve customers better; and generating record financial results. Will has contributed enormously to Wiley’s nurturing and supportive culture, which is a tremendous source of competitive advantage for the Company.” Company veteran Stephen Smith will take over as […]
Remaking Crown’s Paperbacks
As the latest phase of the Crown Publishing Group’s realignments, recently-appointed publisher of Three Rivers Press and Broadway Paperbacks Tina Pohlman delineated a new imprint structure and focus that parallels the entire group’s reorganization. Broadway Paperbacks will issue reprints for the Crown and Broadway hardcover lists, along with “select fiction and nonfiction” originals. Three Rivers Press will issue reprints from the refocused Harmony and newly-created Crown Archetype lines, along with its own trade paperback originals in areas such as humor and pop culture. Paperbacks drawing from Crown Business and Crown Forum will retain the originating imprint’s moniker, as will paperbacks […]
Oprah-Stickered Copy of Franzen’s FREEDOM Photographed
Moby Lives posted this photo showing a copy of Jonathan Franzen’s new novel with an “Oprah’s Book Club: 2010 Selection” sticker on the jacket. Which is consistent with first Indigo and then Amazon.ca taking down their listings for the new Oprah selection’s ISBN after our story noting that FSG does not have rights to FREEDOM in Canada (Harper Canada does).For what it’s worth, Franzen is scheduled to appear at Book People in Austin, TX the evening of September 17 (the day Oprah makes her announcement.)
Susan Lehman to Lead Twelve
The search for a new head for Hachette Book Group’s Twelve imprint has ended, with Susan Lehman returning to book publishing as publisher and editor-in-Chief, beginning September 27. Grand Central publisher Jamie Raab says she was “looking for someone who embodied the unique vision and spirit of the imprint – impeccable and eclectic taste; a passion for books and writers; a fresh perspective on the publishing process and a commitment to working hard to make every book on the list a critical and commercial success. When I met Susan Lehman, I knew I’d found someone who possessed all of these […]
People, Etc.
Laura Dawson has joined Firebrand Technologies as content chief and head of their content services group. Most recently she has been a consultant specializing in publishing technology issues and she is co-chair of the Book Industry Study Group’s Identification and Rights Committees. Dawson replaces Daniel Lee, who is leaving Firebrand to become managing editor at the Bard Graduate Center in NYC. At Simon & Schuster, Lynnette Spence has been promoted to HR Director, staffing. Former senior editor art, design and photography books at Chronicle for 10 years Alan Rapp has started ARstudio, packaging visual books. The Houston Chronicle says an […]