After almost fifty-five continuous years at Random House, executive editor Bob Loomis “has decided to retire” at the end of June, Gina Centrello told staff today. “You all know how much I adore Bob, and I join you in standing in awe of what he has accomplished and contributed to our publishing. The books he has edited, by Maya Angelou, Neil Sheehan, Edmund Morris, William Styron, Robert Massie, Shelby Foote, Lisa See, and Calvin Trillin, among hundreds of others, have been part of the national conversation, and many of them continue to be read and discussed decades after their publication […]
Archives for May 2011
Bookselling: BAMM Won’t Get Joseph-Beth Inventory; Stores Closing in SF and Brooklyn
Books-A-Million‘s planned takeover of the Joseph-Beth bookstore in Fredericksburg, VA has hit a snag. While the retailer will still occupy the space, they were not able to reach an agreement with Gordon Brothers, the liquidation company that won the store in last month’s auction, for the rights to Joseph-Beth’s inventory. Joe Bell, spokesman for the company that owns the mall where the store is located, told the Free-Lance Star: “Unfortunately, they could not come to an agreement. Therefore, Gordon Brothers has opted to conduct a liquidation sale, something we just learned about.” The liquidation sale began last Friday, and is […]
The June 2011 Indie Next List
Here are the ABA’s June selections: 1. Silver Sparrow, by Tayari Jones State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett Joy for Beginners, by Erica Bauermeister To Be Sung Underwater, by Tom McNeal The Borrower, by Rebecca Mikkai Best Staged Plans, by Claire Cook Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away, by Christie Watson South of Superior, by Ellen Airgood The Beekeeper’s Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honeybees Help to Feed America, by Hannah Nordhaus The Upright Piano Player, by David Abbott Vaclav & Lena, by Haley Tanner Eleven, by Mark Watson Summer of the Bear, by Bella Pollen Faith, by Jennifer […]
Random House Acquires Smashing Ideas
Building on a business partnership to develop children’s apps initiated last September, Random House has acquired Seattle-based digital media agency Smashing Ideas in a deal that closed May 2. Terms were not disclosed. The company says it “signals the intention of Random House and its parent company to be leaders in digital content creation, and demonstrates their commitment to expanding revenues from mobile and interactive online products and services.” Smashing Ideas will “continue to operate independently” from Seattle and another office in the UK, “primarily focusing on its current and future client businesses.” With respect to Random House, the unit […]
Borders CEO Tries Newspaper Interview to Elicit Publisher Support
Borders ceo Mike Edwards provides a “rare interview” to the Ann Arbor News, trying to obtain through the press the financing from publishers that he isn’t getting through direct negotiations. Big publishers remain unconvinced that there is a sound business reason for them to carry all the risk and finance Borders’ attempt to re-emerge from bankruptcy (so that Edwards and his team can collect bonuses). Edwards pedals it as a “shared risk scenario” but it’s not clear who else besides the creditors would be taking any risk. (The implication is that he’s still using the prospect of Borders liquidating as […]
Barnes & Noble Stock Pops As Company Signals New eReader
Barnes & Noble’s shares rose $1.50 in Wednesday trading, gaining over 14 percent. In an SEC filing, the company said “it expects to make an announcement on May 24 regarding the launch of a new eReader device.” The company reportedly shared the same news during the day in a meeting with analysts, which is likely to have driven the stock’s gains. BN’s choice of date is no accident: the 24th is also BEA’s opening floor day, which means BN clearly intends its e-reader announcement to be the news of the fair.