After renewed controversy around prosector-turned-mystery novelist Linda Fairstein following the release of a Netflix series about the Central Park Five, When They See Us, her longtime publisher Dutton said Friday the two parties “decided to terminate their relationship.” A “person with knowledge of the situation” tells the NYT that Dutton is buying out her contract. It’s unclear what, if anything, is happening with Fairstein’s 14-title backlist at Dutton, and the publisher declines to explain what their brief statement actually mens. Her first five books were published by Scribner.
Former ceo of Hachette UK Tim Hely Hutchinson was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) on the Queen’s annual Birthday Honors list. Authors Lee Child and Joanna Trollope were also made CBEs.
Dayna Anderson has resigned as publisher at Amberjack Publishing, effectively immediately. The company’s website says it “is currently closed to all submissions while we transition to a new distributor.” (They had been with Midpoint/IPG.) Anderson indicates any questions should be directed to owner Jason Burenheide.
Natasha Tynes sued publisher Rare Bird Books in Los Angeles County Superior Court last Thursday for defamation and breach of contract after the company declined to distribute California Coldblood’s planned release of her book They Called Me Wyatt. The company backed out after Tynes was accused of shaming a Washington, DC metro worker for eating on a train. She seeks $13 million in damages. The company calls the suit “baseless” and says the title had pre-orders of fewer than 50 copies when they said they could not distribute it.
Renowned baker and award-winning cookbook author Maida Heatter — simply “Maida” to many of the cooks who learned to bake successfully from her many books — died June 6 at home in Miami Beach at age 102. (I had the great pleasure of working with her a number of years ago when Cader Books published three collections of her recipes Cookies, Cakes and Pies, bringing back into print her work from a number of earlier books — and yielding this lovely profile in Saveur.)
Maida was a pioneer in starting her recipes with the friendly, descriptive introductions we now take for granted. And those recipes were exquisitely precise and accessible, and thoroughly tested, delighting bakers with the results.
Harlequin announced the launch of Harlequin Studios, intending to significantly increase the production of Harlequin-branded movie content. “Harlequin Studios will develop content to expand the reach and breadth of our author franchises to grow beyond the book market while cultivating new fans through the development of a robust movie catalogue,” said Craig Swinwood, Harlequin’s publisher and ceo.