British thriller writer Jack Higgins, 92, who published 85 books, died on April at his home in Jersey, one of the British Channel Islands. Published in 1975, his best known book The Eagle Has Landed was an international bestseller.
Archives for April 2022
Waterstones Sales Fell 38.5 Percent In Pandemic Year
Waterstones filed their annual report for the fiscal year ending a year ago, as of April 24, 2021, revealing a substantial decline in sales. The company reached sales of only £231 million in the year, down £135 million (or 38.5 percent) from £376 million in the prior year. Operating profit was £13 million (versus £30 million the year before) and profit before tax was £4.17 million (versus £23 million the year before). Those positive margins seem to have come from substantial government support — roughly £41 million during the reported period — and a reduction in force, with the average […]
New Books Publishing April 12
Leigh Newman and Anne Hillerman lead this week’s fiction releases, while nonfiction includes new work from Delia Ephron, Margo Jefferson and Valerie Biden Owens. Also out today are titles by Kimberly Brock, Melissa Chadburn, Fallon DeMornay and Dolen Perkins-Valdez, all excerpted in our Buzz Books 2022: Spring/Summer sampler. 26 works of fiction https://bookshop.org/lists/new-fiction-publishing-april-12 https://shop.aer.io/publishers_lunch/cl/New_Fiction_Publishing_April_/222570 13 nonfiction titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-nonfiction-publishing-april-12 https://shop.aer.io/publishers_lunch/cl/New_Nonfiction_Publishing_April_/222571 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 […]
M&A: Sterling Acquires Knock Knock
Sterling Publishing has acquired gift company Knock Knock, which includes the brand Em & Friends. Knock Knock will be overseen by Union Square & Co. publisher and cco Emily Meehan, “with the operations and distribution of Knock Knock titles remaining business as usual,” according to a release. Knock Knock founder and ceo Jen Bilik and Em & Friends founder Emily McDowell report to Meehan as creative consultants. VP sales & operations Jim Papscoe and vp, associate publisher Craig Hetzer will “both focus on the day-to-day operations of the overall business” and will also report to Meehan.
Maryland Concedes Legal Loss on Library Law — Mostly
The state of Maryland has replied to Judge Deborah L. Boardman’s order “to show cause why the preliminary injunction” blocking their unconstitutional library digital lending law “should not be converted to a permanent injunction.” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh concedes the loss and does not offer any new evidence, noting, “The State acknowledges that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the Court may grant or deny further relief in this matter without a further hearing or trial.” Instead he reaches for a final sliver, asking the judge to issue declaratory judgment in the AAP’s […]
People 4/11
At Random House, Tiffani Ren has joined One World and Roc Lit 101 team as marketing associate. Ashleigh Heaton has been promoted to assistant director, Del Rey and licensing.