Armed with the biggest purse in town, Penguin Random House announced late Tuesday that the company has acquired world rights to two forthcoming books, one by former president Barack Obama and one by former first lady Michelle Obama. The announcement was made under the name of ceo Markus Dohle, who according to PRH employees stayed in New […]
Archives for February 2017
Auction for The Obamas’ Books Said to Pass $60 Million
By Tuesday afternoon bidding for world rights to a package of two books, one by Barack Obama and one by Michelle Obama, had reached over $60 million, according to multiple sources talking to the FT. Penguin Random House has always been considered the leading contender — and has the biggest pocket on the block. The […]
People, Etc.
Margaux Weisman has joined Vintage/Anchor as editor. Previously she was an associate editor at William Morrow. At Sourcebooks, Tiana Marzette has been promoted to inside sales representative. Brad Sharp has been promoted to director of manufacturing at Bookmasters. Jennifer Schaper has joined Duke University Press as sales manager. Previously she was senior manager for international rights […]
Riggio’s MBS Sold to Barnes & Noble Education for $174 Million
The privately-held MBS Textbook Exchange, majority owned by Len Riggio and other Riggio family members, has been sold to Barnes & Noble Education — which also used to be privately owned by the Riggio family, and where the Riggios currently hold about 16 percent of shares — for $174.2 million in cash. For the fiscal […]
Reliability of “Pill City” Author Questioned Further With NYT Unable to Corroborate Reporting
Questions continue to mount about the veracity of the reporting in Kevin Deutsch’s PILL CITY, published earlier this month, after the New York Times writes that it was unable to corroborate claims and locate sources in a separate story Deutsch published in the paper last December. That story, on how fentanyl is outpacing heroin use […]
Bookselling: Amazon Opens In Dedham, Waterstones Criticized for Modest Stores “Posing” As Indies
Amazon’s previously-announced 5,800-square-foot bookstore at Legacy Place in Dedham, MA will open on Tuesday, after holding a preview on Saturday. As previously announced, this is Amazon’s first bookstore to open on the East Coast (and fourth to open so far), with at least three more “coming soon” in Lynnfield, MA; Paramus, NJ; and Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. Waterstones is receiving criticism in British media […]