At Penguin Random House Canada, the originating publisher of Jordan B. Peterson, at least some employees objected to the news that the company will publish his second book in March. The company held a virtual town hall on Monday after announcing publication, “during which executives defended the decision to publish Peterson while employees cited their concerns about platforming someone who is popular in far-right circles,” Vice reports based on speaking to four employees. The publisher said in a statement, “We held a forum and provided a space for our employees to express their views and offer feedback. Our employees have […]
Archives for November 2020
Obama Sales Top 1.7 Million In First Week
Penguin Random House announced Tuesday that Barack Obama’s A PROMISED LAND sold 1,710,000 units in all formats in the US and Canada during the first week on sale. (As previously reported, sales of 887,000 units were recorded in pre-orders and first day sales.) For sales through Saturday, November 21 — the first five days — NPD Bookscan recorded sales of 835,000 hardcovers. The US hardcover is now up to 4.3 million copies in print. In the UK and Ireland, the book sold 147,000 units in its first five days (including 59,000 audiobook units, and 80,000 hardcovers).
Briefs: Dalkey Archive Founder Dies and Company Is Acquired By Deep Vellum, and More
John O’Brien, 75, founder of the Review of Contemporary Fiction and Dalkey Archive Press, died on November 21. The publisher writes, “O’Brien was dedicated to producing, promoting, and keeping in print, experimental works of international literature.” An online memorial service to honor O’Brien’s life and work will be held on December 9, with details to be announced. In the wake of O’Brien’s death, the publisher has announced that it has been acquired by Deep Vellum Publishing, where it will continue to run as an independent imprint, acquiring new books and maintaining its backlist. Deep Vellum publisher and executive director Will Evans […]
Corporate: Netflix Settles with Chooseco, and More
Chooseco’s lawsuit against Netflix over their interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch has been settled, as the parties informed US District Court Judge William Sessions III on Monday at a status conference. The terms remain confidential, but “the parties did tell the judge of one slightly unusual condition — the judge’s Feb. 2020 opinion denying Netflix’s dismissal motion would have to be vacated.” The judge agreed, and thus “chose to pretend he never questioned whether Netflix’s film was explicitly misleading,” as THR puts it. In February, Judge Sessions had found that the existing facts were insufficient to support dismissal. In particular, he […]
People, Etc.
Kelsey Nolan has joined Ze Books and Unnamed Press as a publicity and marketing manager. She previously worked at the Los Angeles Times as the events programming manager. Cindy Kim has been promoted to associate editor for Little Simon. Andree Abecassis, 81, died November 4 at home in Berkeley, CA, following a brief struggle with cancer. For many years she worked at Ann Elmo Agency, founded by two of her aunts, and recently she had started working with Heyday Books. Best of 2020 The New York Public Library released their Best Books package, which includes top 10s for adults, poetry, […]
New Books Publishing November 24
This week, a slimmer selection of new books includes some big names in fiction, including Ernest Cline, Philippa Gregory, and Nora Roberts. In nonfiction, highlights include Bruce McCall’s memoir and Harold Bloom’s take on Western literature’s most essential novels. 8 new works of fiction https://bookshop.org/lists/new-fiction-publishing-november-24 9 new nonfiction titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-nonfiction-publishing-november-24 We consult a number of sources in compiling our weekly lists and PM members can see our lists for the coming three months through this reference page. But if you want to make sure your key titles are on our radar, now you can use this form to submit brief details as […]