Noted as an aside in recent coverage, Ronan Farrow‘s long-expected first book WAR ON PEACE: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence will be published by Norton on April 24, 2018. Originally expected in 2015, Farrow’s book was first sold to Penguin Press in 2013 in a high-profile deal, reportedly for about $1.3 million. At the time, the working title was PANDORA’S BOX: How American Military Aid Creates America’s Enemies. Agent Lynn Nesbit tells us that Farrow, working quietly on the Harvey Weinstein story, was late in delivering to Penguin Press, which cancelled their original agreement as a […]
Archives for December 2017
Szalai to Become Nonfiction Book Critic at NYT
New York Times Book Review editor Jennifer Ildiko Szalai will move over to serve as nonfiction book critic starting in January, taking over as Jennifer Senior moves back to long-form journalism for the paper. As books editor Pamela Paul writes, “Sometimes, you search for the ideal candidate for a position far and wide, and find that the best one is sitting right across from you.” She adds, “Jennifer is one of the most stylish, incisive, original writers on books, politics and culture today. A Canadian native who grew up between cultures – her father was Hungarian and her mother is […]
People, Etc.
Publisher of the Penguin Random House Audio Group Amanda D’Acierno has been promoted to executive vice president. At Harper One, Jenn Jensen has been promoted to associate director of marketing. Bonnier will expand their North American publishing operations, adding the Bonnier Zaffre imprint (which publishes authors including Wilbur Smith and Lynda La Plante). Valentina Rice has been hired as vp, sales, marketing & publicity for Bonnier Zaffre in the US, reporting to ceo Mark Smith. Rice spent 15 years at Penguin, most recently as vp, international sales & marketing, before launching her own e-commerce site helping small-batch artisanal food producers get […]
People, Etc.
Andrew Kidd will join Weidenfeld & Nicolson as editor-at-large, reporting to Kirsty Dunseath, while continuing as chair of the Rathbones Folio Prize and chief executive of Alexi Books. Michael Lynton will join the board of Pearson on February 1. Lynton, who ran Penguin briefly in the 90s after Peter Mayer stepped down, is currently chairman of Snap Inc. Most recently, he was chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. Despite their recent performance, Pearson chairman Sidney Taurel says in the announcement: “Pearson is going to be the winner in digital education. That requires great people as well as great products. The Pearson Board […]
Benjamin’s The Immortalists Leads January Indie Next List
The ABA named Chloe Benjamin’s The Immortalists their No. 1 pick for January. The book is also included in our Buzz Books 2017 Fall/Winter collection, along with another selection, A.J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window. The rest of the list features: The Wife Between Us, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen Grist Mill Road, by Christopher J. Yates Neon in Daylight, by Hermione Hoby The Job of the Wasp, by Colin Winnette Fire Sermon, by Jamie Quatro The Afterlives, by Thomas Pierce Escape Artist, by William A. Noguera The Chalk Man, by C.J. Tudor Beneath the Sugar Sky, by Seanan McGuire This Could Hurt, by Jillian […]
Wiley Gains on Better Than Expected Results
Wiley reported higher sales and better earnings than analysts were expecting for their fiscal second quarter and the stock gained almost five percent in trading on the news Thursday, coming close to the all-time high from early 2015. Sales were up 6 percent to $452 million, and adjusted net income of $59.3 million was up from $5.1 million a year ago. In a break with recent trends, STM publishing of $71.5 million was up $3.5 million, and education publishing of $57.7 million was just above flat. That included 5 percent growth in digital and “lower than expected declines in print.” At the same […]