So we’re still wrestling with some of the mysteries of what makes an ebook bestseller, as defined by the New York Times and others. It turns out our supposition that Lisa Gardner’s ALONE–Number One on the Kindle bestseller list with as part of a 99-cent promotion–was disqualified for listing because of price was not correct. Communications director Danielle Rhoades Ha says, “The New York Times does not exclude e-books based on price. In fact none of the e-book lists carry price.” That said, it’s not clear what other undeclared reason the paper used to not list ALONE. Over at USA […]
Archives for February 2011
People
Phil Revzin is resigning from his position as senior editor at St. Martin’s to become editor at large for Bloomberg News, covering the international financial markets.Emma Hopkin is leaving her position as managing director for Macmillan Children’s Books UK on April 21st “to pursue an exciting new challenge elsewhere in children’s publishing.” She first joined the company as a marketing director of Pan, moving to the children’s division two years later, where she was appointed m.d. in 2005. At Interweave’s book division, Elisabeth Malzahn has been promoted to marketing director, and Erica Smith joined the united as an editor. She […]
Wiley to Write off $9M in Bad Debt From Borders
Wiley won’t report its 3rd quarter earnings until March 10, but today the publisher stated they will write off a pre-tax bad debt expense of approximately $9m (or $6m after-tax) from Borders. According to the SEC filing, “This net charge represents the difference between Wiley’s outstanding receivable with Borders and our expectation of potential offsets and recoveries in the future, and existing reserves for this customer.” Wiley stopped shipping books to Borders in December, when the retailer first indicated it would delay paying vendors, and as such Wiley further states that “no additional charge or bad debt expense with respect […]
People
John Evans of DIESEL Bookstores in California and Matt Norcross of McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petosky, Michigan have been nominated to join the ABA board for three-year terms, and Ken White of San Francisco State University Bookstore has been put up for a second term. Becky Anderson of Anderson’s Bookshops will take over from Michael Tucker as ABA president and Steve Bercu of BookPeople will serve as vice president/secretary. Gonzalo Ferreyra will join Weldon Owen in San Francisco as director of marketing, print and digital on February 14. Previously, he was vp of sales at VIZ Media and director […]
Tea Obreht Tops March 2011 Indie Next List
#1 Pick: The Tiger’s Wife: A Novel, by Tea ObrehtTownie: A Memoir, by Andre Dubus IIIThe Paris Wife, by Paula McLainWingshooters: A Novel, by Nina RevoyrSing You Home: A Novel, by Jodi PicoultWhen the Killing’s Done: A Novel, by T.C. BoyleBringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America, by Les Standiford, Joe MatthewsThree Stages of Amazement: A Novel, by Carol EdgarianCleaning Nabokov’s House: A Novel, by Leslie DanielsA Thousand Cuts: A Novel, by Simon LelicBlood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef, by Gabrielle HamiltonThe Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels–A Love Story, by Ree DrummondInstruments […]
Canadian Distributor HB Fenn Initiates Bankruptcy Proceedings
Meanwhile, the surprise bankruptcy filing came yesterday from Canada, where the country’s largest distributor HB Fenn & Company initiated bankruptcy proceedings under the country’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. In a brief statement Fenn said it had “encountered significant financial challenges due to the loss of distribution lines, shrinking margins and the significant shift to e-books, all of which have significantly reduced the company’s revenues.” The company’s Lisa Winstanley told the National Post more bluntly, “we’re ceasing operations effective immediately.” The paper calls it “the largest collapse of a Canadian publishing company since General Distribution Services/Stoddart Publishing went under in August […]