In their quarterly SEC filing for the period ending October 26, Barnes & Noble reported that just before the close of their second quarter, on October 16, the SEC notified the company that it was being investigated. The agency’s New York office is looking into: “(1) the Company’s restatement of earnings announced on July 29, 2013, and (2) a separate matter related to a former non-executive employee’s allegation that the company improperly allocated certain Information Technology expenses between its Nook and Retail segments for purposes of segment reporting.” BN says it “is cooperating with the SEC, including responding to requests […]
Archives for December 2013
People
Literary agent Peter Steinberg has joined with former editorial director of Fourth Story Media and Miramax Books editorial director JillEllyn Riley to create Arc & Type — a division of The Steinberg Agency that will package fiction and nonfiction books. United Agents will represent UK/Commonwealth and translations rights for their projects. Most recently, RIley has been writing and editing books, as well as “cultivating stories for other authors.” Steinberg, who will continue his agenting role while “helping to oversee” the new division, says in the announcement: , “JillEllyn and I have been friends through the publishing business for a long time and […]
Bloomsbury Commissions Illustrated Harry Potters
In the UK, Bloomsbury announced that they have commissioned “fully illustrated” editions of all seven Harry Potter books, intending to publish one volume a year annually starting in September 2015. Kate Greenaway Medal-winning illustration Jim Kay was selected for what he calls “the commission of a lifetime.” The Guardian writes that Kay “has reimagined Harry for a new generation of readers, in a style that nods to Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal of the boy wizard in the film versions of the novels, and captures the character of Harry in the books.” Bloomsbury aspires to license simultaneous publication of the illustrated versions […]
Sue Monk Kidd Tops January Indie Next List
The ABA listed their picks for next month: The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd The Kept, by James Scott The Ascendant: A Thriller, by Drew Chapman A Star for Mrs. Blake, by April Smith Little Failure: A Memoir, by Gary Shteyngart Unremarried Widow: A Memoir, by Artis Henderson Badluck Way: A Year on the Ragged Edge of the West, by Bryce Andrews The Bird Skinner, by Alice Greenway In the Blood, by Lisa Unger Shovel Ready, by Adam Sternbergh If Only You People Could Follow Directions: A Memoir, by Jessica Hendry Nelson The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles, by […]
New Author Survey Results
Among the multiple presentations of original data due at January’s Digital Book World is the return of last year’s closely followed author survey, from DBW and Writer’s Digest. This year’s survey drew participation from over 9,000 authors, and the conference presentation will include analysis from author and professor of data analytics and applied social research Dana Beth Weinberg. For now, DBW.com has posted a sampling of the some of the results, ahead of the event. Discounted pricing to the biggest-yet Digital Book World Conference expires a week from tomorrow, so this is a great time to grab your ticket and […]
Bookselling: Diesel Puts Malibu Location for Sale; Bank Street Bookstore Won’t Renew Lease; Marcus Books May Stay Put
Diesel is placing its Malibu location for sale after more than nine years of operation (and five months after opening another store in Larkspur, CA). Co-owner John Evans told the Malibu Times that financial constraints and a need to focus on a growing number of independent shops outside of Malibu necessitated the move. “We’re just struggling to keep the [Malibu] bookstore, to keep people coming.” Evans added he hopes a local buyer will step up: “In general, bookstores are best when local people that own the place and live in the place work in the place,” he said. “I don’t […]