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Briefs

March 28, 2019
By Erin Somers

The U.S. Copyright Office named Karyn Temple register of copyrights. Temple has been the acting registrar since 2016.

Lilla Weinberger, 78, co-owner of Readers’ Books in Sonoma, CA died on March 24. She founded the store with her husband Andy Weinberger in 1991.

HarperCollins Italia launched its first children’s list, beginning with 25 titles in 2019. It plans to expand the list to 100 titles a year over the next few years. Sabrina Annoni, editorial director of HarperCollins Italia said, “HarperCollins has a strong history in Children’s publishing and remains one of its global leaders—we are excited to continue this tradition in Italy.”

Acquisitions
Rowman & Littlefield has acquired the imprints of Minneapolis publisher Finney Company, effective April 1. The sale includes nearly 400 titles under 12 nonfiction imprints. National Book Network will distribute. Finney Company will retain its book distribution and blackboard/communications board businesses.

Finney Company president, Alan Krysan said, “Selling our publishing business to Rowman & Littlefield allows these titles to prosper and reach new audiences along with providing a long-term home for our authors. [Rowman & Littlefield ceo] Jed Lyons and his team have taken the time to understand our titles, customers, authors, and partners. This will aid in a smooth and seamless transition for everyone involved.”

Separately, book printer and manufacturer Thomson-Shore, which had operated in Dexter, Michigan, since 1972, will be acquired by Minnesota-based CJK Group. Earlier in the week, the struggling ESOP (a company owned by its workers, whose stock is now worthless) had filed for bankruptcy. Though operations will continue, eighty employees are expected to be laid off.  “Prior to my coming on board, the company was experiencing heavy losses,” current president Pete Shima told OnMain.Today. “In spite of our best efforts, it had just gone too far. There will be people still here, making books, printing books and binding books.”

Distribution
Penguin Random House Publisher Services will sell and distribute Oregon publisher Blue Star worldwide, starting September 2019.

Bookselling
Barnes & Noble‘s Rockville, MD location will move from Montrose Crossing Shopping Center to Congressional Plaza in 2020.

Filed Under: Distribution, Free, M&A, Obits, Personnel

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