Simon & Schuster will sell and distribute She Writes Press and SparkPress, imprints of SparkPoint Studio, starting August 1, 2024.
Archives for November 2023
Indigo’s Q2 Falls Below Last Year’s Strong Result
Indigo released results for the second quarter of their fiscal year, ended September 30, reporting $207 million in sales, down 12 percent from the previous year, and a loss in adjusted EBITDA of $(13.8) million, compared to $(10.6) million. Net loss during the quarter was $(22.4) million, compared to a net loss of $(15.9) million in the previous year. The company cites consumer “price sensitivity” as a reason for the drop—because people came out for discounts during promotional events—and a stark comparison to last year, which was the highest ever in merchandise sales. The company also launched their new ecommerce […]
People 11/9
At Scholastic, Shifa Kapadwala has been promoted to senior manager, global brand publicity.
WH Smith High Street Sales Fall Slightly
WH Smith announced preliminary results for the year, ended August 31, with sales up 28 percent to £1.79 billion. Trading profit, driven by the Travel division, was up £74 million to £164 million, and group profit before tax was £110 million, compared to £63 million in 2022 High street sales were £469 million, down from £473 million, with trading profit falling £2 million to £43 million, “in line with expectations.” The company closed 13 High Street stores in the period, bringing their total to 514. They say they are focused on efficiency and cost management, with savings of £15 million […]
Still Wily
Alex Blasdel has a “long read” piece in the Guardian about Andrew Wylie that’s a melange of eulogy, profile, mild takedown and perhaps book proposal. The reporter understands the Wylie myth-making and reporters’ role in perpetuating it, but at the same time can’t help but add to it: “Wylie is the world’s most mythologized literary agent, it is partly because the caricature of him as a plunderer of literary talent and pillager of other agencies has been so irresistible to the media, and at times to Wylie himself.” Yet he is billed as “the world’s most renowned – and for […]
Harper Children’s Promotes Executives
Following the abrupt departure of Harper Children’s president and publisher Suzanne Murphy in September, the division’s new top executive Liate Stehlik announced a number of promotions under her. “This new structure will bring together our editorial imprints, allowing us to publish to each group’s unique points of view and sensibilities more,” she wrote. Rich Thomas has been promoted svp, executive director publishing, HarperCollins Children’s Books, leading editorial strategy with oversight of the children’s group imprints. Nancy Inteli and Erica Sussman have been promoted to vp, publisher, for the Harper Group, continuing to report to Thomas. Inteli will add management of […]