Julian Assange’s memoir, once set for a release last April by Canongate and then delayed further last month, now may not be published at all. The Guardian quotes “publishing sources” as saying the book won’t be released “at least in its original form” after the Wikileaks founder “indicated he no longer wished to write the kind of book that was initially envisaged.” It appears Assange thinks the manuscript as ghostwritten by Andrew O’Hagan “could give ammunition to US prosecutors, whom he fears may seek his extradition on terrorist charges relating to WikiLeaks disclosures.” A spokeswoman for Canongate told the paper […]
Archives for July 2011
The Deal On Border’s Sale Deal
As readers know, we’ve been trying to wrap our heads around the stalking horse offer for the Najafi Companies to “buy” Borders for $215 million, which sounds more like an offer to “take” the company at little or no net cost. Yesterday the company filed an asset purchase agreement with the SEC, along with the provisional liquidation agreement with Hilco, Gordon Brothers and others in case the sale is not completed, which shed a little additional light on the financials. Indeed, Borders anticipates that an outright liquidation would produce more cash. The liquidators guarantee a minimum of 72 percent of […]
People, Etc.
Robin Harvie has been appointed as senior commissioning editor and digital publisher at Aurum Press in the UK. Harvie is currently non-fiction commissioning editor & digital editor at Harper UK’s 4th Estate. He will focus on Arum’s sports list as well as leading and managing digital strategy companywide. Ruta Rimas has joined Simon & Schuster Children’s Atheneum and Margaret K. McElderry imprints as associate editor, reporting to Justin Chanda. She was at Balzer & Bray. Airie Stuart has left Palgrave Macmillan after seven years with the company, most recently as svp and publisher. Christopher Boucher, author of debut novel HOW TO […]
eNews: Macmillan to Sell MPS Stake; Apps Are Adjusting to New iOS Rules; Another Subscription Offer
Macmillan is putting their controlling 61 percent stake in the publishing solutions and services unit MPS up for sale. The Times of India says the Bangalore-based company employs about 1,000 people, but the company’s site says they have 2,500 employees worldwide. Standalone 2009 sales were approximately $30 million. The Times says “MPS has attracted interests from IT services players as well as financial investors. Macmillan’s divestment could help the company scale up operations winning more third-party businesses.” They say the sector has been active for M&A lately, adding that “there is also speculation that Aptara Solutions may launch a stake […]
People, Etc.
At Scholastic, Lynne Karppi has been promoted to Director of Creative and Product Development for the Consumer Products division. Andrea Colvin has been promoted to Director of Publishing Operations for Open Road Integrated Media. The Romance Writers of America announced its Golden Heart and RITA Award winners at its annual conference in New York last Friday. Full List Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, will self-publish her children’s book about 9/11, THE LITTLE PEAR TREE and donate the proceeds to charity, according to her spokesperson. A source told the Daily Mail that Ferguson reported got “her people” to send around […]
Frankfurt Offers Fair Conference Deal
With ever-more specialized conferences on the Frankfurt Book Fair agenda, show organizers have organized those events and more under the Frankfurt Academy banner. They are now selling a limited number of “all-access” tickets that provide entrance to nine conferences and meetings at the Frankfurt Book Fair with a single discounted ticket. The two Publishers Launch Frankfurt events are part of that offer–our full-day show on global digital trade publishing opportunities on Monday, October 10, and our half-day event focused on Children’s Publishing Going Digital on Tuesday, October 11–as are TOC Frankfurt, the International Rights Directors meeting; Frankfurt’s StoryDrive Conferenc, a […]