President and publisher of Harper Children’s Susan Katz “has decided to retire after an illustrious career of nearly 30 years with the company,” ceo Brian Murray announced. Katz took over the children’s division in 1996. Murray writes, “She has guided the division through one successful year after another, and has made an enormous contribution to the company’s overall success – whether she’s breathing new life into our timeless classics or launching new brands that engage the next generation of readers…. While I am sad that Susan will not be part of the HarperCollins team going forward, I am thrilled for her […]
Archives for April 2015
Publishers Contribute $250 Million Worth of Free eBooks for Low-Income Students in New Federal Program
President Obama will announce later today two new steps in the ConnectED efforts. The Open eBooks initiative will make ebooks said to be worth over $250 million available for free to low-income students, through an ereader app developed by the New York Public Library. All of the five largest trade publishers are participating, along with Candlewick, Bloomsbury and Lee & Low. Macmillan is providing unlimited access to approximately 2,500 titles for K-12 readers; S&S is contributing access to their entire catalog of books for children 4 to 14, comprising 3,000 titles; Penguin Random House is promising an “extensive offering” of titles; […]
People, Etc.: Nowell to Depart Nielsen; Edgar Award Winners; and More
Jonathan Stolper will move up to svp and managing director of Nielsen Book as of July 1, as longtime president Jonathan Nowell steps down after 20 years at Nielsen. Nowell will be “helping with the transition through the end of this year,” though he says in the announcement “I feel it’s time to pursue other opportunities.” Stolper joined Nielsen Book in the US in 2010. President of Nielsen Entertainment Howard Applebaum comments: “This is bitter sweet for me. During his 20-year tenure, Jonathan Nowell has built a book business that is critical to the ongoing success of the wider book industry and […]
Trade Sales Stable In January As eBooks Drop to Lowest Point In Years
The AAP reported StatShot figures for January 2015, putting overall trade sales of $495.5 million flat compared to a year ago, with adult sales up a couple of million dollars and children’s/YA sales down a couple of million. In adult sales, trade paperbacks were the notable gainer, up $11.5 million to $122.7 million, while mass market paperbacks declined almost as much (down $9.2 million) and ebook sales were down $4.4 million as agency pricing returned. Digital audio, however, continued its advance, at $15.6 million up 37 percent from $11.4 million a year ago. Children’s books declined $2.2 million, or 1.7 percent, as print sales of […]
People: Kiser Becomes Running Press Publisher, And More
Kristin Kiser will join Running Press on May 20 as vp and publisher. Most recently, she was vp and deputy publisher at Rodale Books. Kiser will report to Perseus Books Group group publisher Susan Weinberg. She fills the role that was vacated in October 2014. Perseus CEO David Steinberger says in the announcement: “We have great ambitions for our publishing programs. Hiring Kristin Kiser to lead Running Press is another key step in taking our publishing to the next level.” In the UK, Malcolm Edwards will step down as deputy CEO and publisher of Orion at the end of 2015 and will become chairman of Gollancz […]
People: Dlouhy Leads Eponymous Imprint at Atheneum
Atheneum editorial director Caitlyn Dlouhy will start an an eponymous imprint, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, scheduled to begin publishing in spring 2016. With the new title of editorial director, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, she will continue to report to publisher Justin Chanda. The new line will publish approximately 20 books a year, ranging from picture books to young adult. Chanda says it is “a celebration of quality books for kids, and also a celebration of one of the publishing industry’s finest editors.” Dlouhy first joined Atheneum in 1998. S&S Children’s president Jon Anderson says in the announcement: “Caitlyn Dlouhy epitomizes editorial excellence. An eponymous imprint is the […]