Random House had sales of €2.142 billion (up 393 million euros, or 22 percent) and record operating EBIT of 325 million euros (a 75 percent increase over 185 million euros a year ago) in 2012, on the extraordinary sales of over 70 million copies of EL James’s Fifty Shades trilogy sold in English, German and Spanish editions. The company was strong around the world, as it “posted year-on-year increases in revenue and operating EBIT across all its territories.” Results for the second half of the fiscal year by itself were €1.195 billion in sales and operating EBIT of €212 million. At parent […]
Archives for March 2013
People, Etc.
At Counterpoint, Charlie Winton will relinquish his role as publisher, while remaining as ceo and executive editor-at-large. Rolph Blythe will take over as publisher of Counterpoint/Soft Skull, starting May 1. But editorial director Jack Shoemaker and business manager Kelli Adams will continue to report to Winton. In the release Winton says that “Counterpoint/Soft Skull is coming off our best year ever in 2012 with net revenues increasing over 30 percent” and “the company is well positioned for me to make this transition away from day to day operations.” He adds, “I think this change will allow me to stay creatively […]
Bob Miller Dismissed From Workman, Will Leave April 5
Just three years after he was recruited to join Workman Publishing as group publisher, Bob Miller has been dismissed abruptly by Carolan Workman, relinquishing his executive post on April 5. He will “stay on as a consultant for ongoing projects until June.” The move comes as founder (and president and ceo) Peter Workman has been gravely ill since last fall. Carolan writes to staff, “it is time to acknowledge that Peter’s health will not allow him to return to Workman in any significant capacity. He is comfortable with the management team in place and is confident that, in our hands, Workman […]
BN’s Big Ask Is Back In the News
The standoff over terms between Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster–which agents, authors and some at the publisher itself say have resulted in significantly reduced orders and display of S&S books in the bookseller’s stores since January–was given national attention by both the WSJ and the NYT at the end of last week. (PW had reported briefly on the dispute in late January.) Those reduced sales have hit authors large and small, including bestselling author Jodi Picoult. Her agent Laura Gross confirmed to the NYT that Barnes & Noble has “taken limited orders, limited placement, and did not do […]
Kohn Tries A New Argument, Asking Court to Allow Full Agency
Royalty Share ceo and attorney Bob Kohn is taking a new approach to asking the court to mitigate the effects of the ebook pricing settlements with the Department of Justice. He recently submitted Tunney Act comments on the new settlement pending with Penguin. This time, rather than asking the court to reject the settlement entirely, he suggests that they modify its provisions. Kohn asks that the restrictions on Penguin’s use of the agency model be removed. If the court agrees, he will seek the same modification for both the pending Macmillan settlement and the already approved settlements with Hachette, Harper […]
University of Nebraska Press to Acquire Potomac Books; Digital Publisher Frederator Launches
University of Nebraska Press is purchasing substantially all the assets of Potomac Books for $1.2 million in a deal set to close by the end of March. The plan includes the acquisition of their inventory, publication rights, and the trade name of Potomac Books. The company specializes in military history and military affairs and “thus, UNP will publish and sell new works in this area, and will market and sell the existing inventory under the Potomac name.” According to the minutes from a meeting of the UN regents, the acquisition includes “a minimum of $700,000 in existing print inventory and another $100,000 for PBI’s […]