Carla Valadez is serving as Coffee House Press’s interim managing director, following the departure of Chris Fischbach. Mollie Reid has been promoted to associate publicist at Penguin Press. At Bertelsmann, cfo Bernd Hirsch “is leaving the company at his own request to pursue new professional challenges.” CEO of the Arvato Financial Solutions division Rolf Hellermann will take over as cfo January 1 and will join the executive board. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jason Reynolds will serve as host the National Book Awards on November 18. Bookselling Friends and supporters of Talking Leaves bookstore were “worried about losing a […]
Archives for November 2020
Struggling Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to Explore Selling Trade Division, As Archer Departs
After firing another 525 people at the beginning of October, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt reported terrible third quarter earnings and said it will “explore the potential sale of HMH Books & Media” to generate cash. The corporate-speak says a sale will “build on the company’s October 1 restructuring to align its cost structure to its digital-first, connected strategy, and create a pure-play learning technology company.” Centerview Partners will handle the shopping of the trade division, which will be an appealing size acquisition to a number of players, particularly as Simon & Schuster is likely to make one of the biggest publishers […]
People, Etc.
Coffee House Press publisher Chris Fischbach has left the organization after 25 years there. He said in a statement, “It is time for me to step down as Publisher. I’m extremely proud of the work I have accomplished at Coffee House Press. I have developed incredible relationships here and look forward to the next new and exciting chapter in my career and life where I can leverage my prior experience, skills, and success to a new opportunity.” Senior editor Erika Stevens is interim editorial director, and the board will conduct a search for a new leader. Sally Hosokawa has been promoted […]
Indigo Reports Second Quarter Growth, As Online Gains Outweigh Store Declines
Canada’s Indigo Books reported sales for the fiscal 2021 second quarter ended September 26, at $205.3 million (CA), up from $203.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of $1.9 million. Net loss was $(17.5) million, slightly improved from a loss of $(20.5) million last year. The key was that pandemic-driven online sales remained more than twice as high as they were a year ago, at $63 million — up 113 percent over the $29.5 million a year ago — which made up for the $32.7 million (19.3 percent) decline at their physical stores, which registered $136.8 million […]
London Book Fair Hopes for A Live Show at the End of June
Until the pandemic is under control there will not be any large, live trade fairs, so the London Book Fair has set new, later dates for 2021 “to create the best opportunity of hosting a live event.” Originally scheduled for March 9–11, the organizers announced plans (and hopes) to convene June 29–July 1. While it gives them room to wait for an improvement in public health, it would put the show in an awkward time slot traditionally avoided by big fairs for good, practical reasons. For US attendees, it also puts the event right in front of the long Independence […]
People, Etc.
Emma Berry joins Basic Books and Seal Press on November 16 as senior editor. Most recently, she was editor at Crown. Karen Edwards has been promoted to executive editor for the Workman imprint. John Passineau has joined the Workman children’s team as a senior designer. Previously, he was a freelance designer. Rebecca Davis has been promoted to editorial director of Boyds Mills Press/Wordsong. Carolyn P. Yoder becomes executive editor of Calkins Creek. Daniella Cohen has been promoted to associate agent at Aevitas Creative Management. Jordan Koluch has been promoted to copy chief at Catapult, Counterpoint, Soft Skull Press. On the Simon […]