As booksellers think about what gradual re-opening looks like, Powell’s Books owner Emily Powell vows, “Powell’s will be here. It may look different. It may feel different for a while. But it will be here.” At the same time, for them, remote ordering is past its peak: “Powell’s has caught up with its orders now, Powell said, but the surge in business early in the pandemic has ebbed.” In Seattle, though, Elliott Bay Book Company manager Tracy Taylor said staff has been surprised at the constant pace of online orders: “It’s been consistent for the entire seven weeks. We thought […]
Archives for May 2020
Briefs
People Tim Duggan, founder and publisher of the eponymous Tim Duggan Books imprint, confirms to PL: “My time at Crown is soon coming to a close. It’s been a dream job in every way, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have this little imprint, and for all the support I’ve received over the last half-dozen years, from my amazingly talented colleagues as well as from the many booksellers, agents, critics, readers, and especially the brilliant authors whose books I’ve been lucky enough to work on.” Cinthia Granzo Nespoli is being promoted to chief legal officer at Pearson, which […]
Simon & Schuster Children’s Creates Two Core Groups; Anastas to Leave
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has organized itself into “two core publishing entities.” The Trade Publishing Group is led by svp and publisher Justin Chanda. He takes on additional oversight for the editorial staff of Simon Pulse, which joins this group. The Branded Publishing Group is led by vp and publisher Valerie Garfield, who takes on responsibility for Aladdin. As a result of the changes, vp and publisher of Aladdin and Simon Pulse Mara Anastas will leave the company. Paula Wiseman at Paula Wiseman Books and Allyn Johnston at Beach Lane Books will continue to manage their respective imprints within the […]
People, Etc.
Evan Brown has been promoted to associate agent at Transatlantic Agency. Lee & Low Books co-founder and ceo Tom Low, 78, died peacefully at home, of cancer. (His sons Craig Low and Jason Low are president and publisher respectively, and co-owners.) “It was a joy and privilege to be his partner in starting Lee & Low,” said Philip Lee, who left the company in 2004. “He was a great friend, mentor, and visionary. It meant a lot to him to build a company that would promote diversity, encourage new voices, and nurture a new generation of publishing professionals.” Relief Macmillan […]
Bloomsbury Reports Modest Earnings Growth, While Planning for 65 Percent Sales Decline through July
Bloomsbury reported results for the full year ending February 29, with flat sales of £162.8 million, and pre-tax earnings of £13.2 million, up from £12 million a year ago. One-time charges of £2.5 million included amortization of acquired intangible assets of £1.7 million, acquisitions-related costs of £0.6 million, and coronavirus-related costs of £0.2 million. Adult trade sales were billed as “strong,” with sales of £37.4 million, up from £33.5 million last year, and profit before tax and charges of £1.6 million, up from £0.9 million. Children’s trade declined, however, for the second year running. Sales were £59.4 million, down from […]
Last Call for Live Buzz
Tonight is the night for our Publishers Lunch Buzz Books Presents (#LunchBuzz) Zoom panel, featuring six editors presenting potential breakout titles for the fall. We will start promptly at 7 pm EDT, and you can join the webinar room starting at 6:45. Please note that you must register in advance if you are planning on joining us. (We need to close registration at the end of the work day, to allow registrants into the webinar room ahead of time.) A The first 150 booksellers who register will get a package of four printed and two digital galleys for the featured titles […]