Amazon has refreshed its Kindle Paperwhite device, whose screen now has a 300-pixel-per-inch resolution, a new “Bookerly” font, and a $119 price. The device is available for pre-order and ships on June 30. Oyster has launched Lumin, a new feature designed to improve the quality of the in-app reading experience by automatically adjusting to the natural sunlight outside based on the time of day and the user’s location. The company says that Lumin “gradually filters the blue light from your screen, replacing it with a warm, soft amber light” as the sun sets.
Archives for June 2015
People, Etc.
Longtime executive director of the National Book Foundation Harold Augenbraum will leave his position at the end of March 2016. The Foundation’s board of directors has formed a search committee and selected executive search firm Spencer Stuart to look for a new executive director. “I have very much enjoyed my time here at the Foundation,” Augenbraum said in the announcement, “but it’s time for me to seek new challenges in my professional life and for new leadership at the Foundation as it looks toward the future.” Perseus Books ceo and National Book Foundation board chair David Steinberger added: “We owe […]
Hachette UK Acquires Nicholas Brealey; Abacus Imprint Takes Over 100-YEAR-OLD-MAN Rights
Hachette UK has acquired Nicholas Brealey Publishing, which focuses on global business, personal and professional development, and travel writing, after which the company will become an imprint of John Murray Press. Nick Brealey will continue to manage the lists, reporting to John Murray managing director Nick Davies. All of the UK staff will move to Hachette UK’s London offices, while three employees working for the US-based imprints Davies-Black and Intercultural Press — head of Boston office Janet Crockett, sales manager Melissa Carl, and head of production Jen Delaney — will move into Hachette Book Group’s Boston office toward the end […]
People
At Basic Books, Dan Gerstle is being promoted to senior editor, while Leah Stecher moves up to associate editor. Jessica Brown has joined Convergent Books as publicist/marketer. Previously she was a publicist at Howard Books. Sourcebooks announced a number of promotions in its design team. Dawn Adams is being promoted to art director for the Casablanca imprint, and Adrienne Krogh moves up to art director for Landmark. Additionally, Nicole Komasinski is being promoted to associate art director and Jillian Rahn is being promoted to senior production designer. Thérèse Coen will join Madeleine Milburn Ltd as rights agent in July. Previously […]
Foreign Exchange Holds Down Wiley Sales, As Book Sales Continue Decline
Wiley reported fourth quarter sales for the period ending April 30, with sales falling 3 percent to $442 million (down $15 million) on currency exchange, as half their sales come from the weaker pound and euro. Adjusted operating income of $63 million was flat for the quarter, and net income was up $2 million to $48 million. The company took another restructuring charge of $4.9 million in the period “for severance and other costs related to reorganization and consolidation across the business,” the latest in $29 million worth of restructuring charges during the fiscal year. In the professional development division, […]
Amazon Changes Kindle Unlimited Payments to Cover Pages Read Rather Than Titles Downloaded
Just a year after launching, Amazon told KDP authors on Monday that as of July they will completely change the payment formula for the monthly pool of funds distributed to authors whose works are borrowed through Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners Lending Library. Going forward the fund will be “paid out based on the number of pages KU and KOLL customers read” rather than “based on qualified borrows.” Amazon says, “We think this is a solid step forward and better aligns the interests of readers and authors. Our goal, as always, is to build a service that rewards authors for […]