Minneapolis science fiction bookstore Uncle Hugo’s has finally reopened in a new location after being burned in 2020 in the unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder. Owner Don Blyly said he lost 200,000 books in the fire, worth more than $1 million and that insurance money and selling books online helped him reopen. The new location is across the street from Moon Palace Books. A new horror bookstore, Butcher Cabin Books, owned by author J. L. Kiefer, will open in Louisville, KY this fall.
Archives for September 2022
Kirkus Prize Finalists
People 9/7
At Scholastic, Jeff Mathews has rejoined in the new role of executive vice president, corporate development and investor relations. He was most recently at Gagnier Communications.
Wiley Reports Flat Sales, Operating Loss
In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, Wiley reported sales of $488 million, flat with the same period last year and up from the past several years (Q1 2021: $431 million; Q1 2020: $423.5 million; Q1 2019: $411 million). Operating loss was $(17) million, compared to a $41 million gain last year. The company also reported a net loss of $(18) million, down from net income of $14 million in 2021. Adjusted EBITDA was $64 million, down (34) percent, “due to investments in Research, higher employee costs, increased T&E spend related to the resumption of in-person activities, and market-related challenges […]
Obituary: Peter Straub
Peter Straub, 79, author of numerous horror, thriller, and fantasy novels, died on September 5. Titles included Ghost Story, Koko, The Throat, Black House, and many more. Straub is survived by his wife Susan Bitker and their two children, Ben and author and Books Are owner Magic Emma Straub. “Peter was a wizard on the page,” says Doubleday vp, executive editor Lee Boudreaux, who edited Black House among other titles. “Among his many gifts, Peter transported readers on labyrinthine journeys as notable for their literary heft and devilishly clever dialogue as they were for Peter’s boundary-shattering imagination—and capacity to scare […]
Baker & Taylor’s Systems Are Back Online
Baker & Taylor’s systems are back up, after more than two weeks offline following a ransomware attack. They write in an announcement on their site that Title Source 360 is now “fully functional and accessible.” They continue: “Bringing our systems back online safely and securely has been a top priority. Our internal technical teams with the support of external cyber-security experts have brought our servers and applications back online after thoroughly assessing and confirming their security. At this time, we do not believe there is any active malicious software in our environment, including any that would put our customers at […]