Walter Isaacson has joined Arcadia Publishing in the part-time role of editor-at-large and senior advisor, and he will be an investor in the company as well. Isaacson will acquire, edit and promote books for Arcadia, as well assisting the company in developing new strategies and partnerships.
Former president and chief executive of Book-of-the-Month Club and then editor at Viking Books Al Silverman, 92, died at home on March 10. He was the author The Time of Their Lives: The Golden Age of Great American Book Publishers, Their Editors and Authors, as well as the collaborator with football great Gale Sayers on the autobiography that was adapted into the movie “Brian’s Song.”
Poet W.S. Merwin, 91, died on March 15. He was the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and a National Book Award and served as the US poet laureate from 2010 to 2011, among other honors.
Picks
BuzzFeed Book Club chose Elizabeth McCracken’s Bowlaway as its April title.
Authors
Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz said at South By Southwest they have three more promotional events in April under the banner, Beastie Boys Book: Live & Direct with Mike Diamond and Adam Horowitz. This time, director Spike Jonze, will film the events.
Earnings
Denmark’s Egmont reported topline figures for 2018, with sales rising by €88 million, to €1.603 billion. Their books division had sales of €52 million, up €4 million, with improved operating profit of €2 million, compared to a loss of €5 million in 2017. Results were weaker when you include their 50 percent share of Norway’s Cappelen Damm, which their partner Bonnier already indicated had a weak year. Sales inclusive of that share were down €131 million, down €1 million from a year ago.
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