SVP and editor in chief at Random House Robin Desser “has decided to leave…to pursue her dreams,” effective April 1, publisher Andy Ward announced. “This news is bittersweet, but after talking to Robin, I fully appreciate and support her choice.” He notes, “she’ll continue to work with some of her, and our, cherished authors.” Desser moved to Random House in early 2020, after a long tenure at Knopf. She said: “I am profoundly grateful to my authors, and to my treasured colleagues both here and around the world for the privilege, pleasures, and joys I have been lucky to experience […]
Data Says Library eBook Lending Is Up, Costs Are Down
In contrast to lobbying efforts in some state legislatures, the dominant service provider for library ebook lending reports that the market is thriving. Overdrive notes that in 2021, “With a focus on equity of access to books for all, libraries achieved all-time records for circulation while lowering the average cost-per-title borrowed.” Senior manager for public library content Karen Estrovich says in one press release flexible pricing models are an important element: “Top performing libraries utilized simultaneous access, cost-per-use and community reading programs to maximize access by increasing the number of available books in their collections.” Among the factors, American Rescue […]
HBG to Expand Indiana Warehouse
Hachette Book Group received local approval to expand their warehouse in Lebanon, IN. The company will invest almost $21 million in a 164,000-square-foot expansion that will also include ancillary office space. Construction is due to begin later this year, and the company tells PL the expected completion date for the construction is April 2023. When HBG announced their deal to acquire Workman Publishing last August, ceo Michael Pietsch had indicated to us, “It will take us at least a year or two to expand our warehouse to accommodate” the Workman distribution.
Is Admitted Felon Paul Manafort Allowed to Make Money From His Book?
Former chief of the criminal fraud section of the Department of Justice Andrew Weissman points out that news of Paul Manafort’s forthcoming book from Skyhorse raises some interesting questions. His plea agreement with the government — in which he admitted to money laundering, tax fraud, violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice while tampering with witnesses and other crimes — was designed to ensure that he would not profit from writing about his crimes: “Your client agrees not to accept remuneration or compensation of any sort, directly or indirectly, for the dissemination through any means, including […]
Adding Up 2021’s Big Sales Gains
NPD Bookscan released final year-end print sales data for 2021, and per recent reporting on holiday sales and AAP data through November, trade publishing enjoyed historic results. 2020 was surprisingly a great year from a statistical perspective, though full of challenges and strong results were not enjoyed evenly throughout the business. 2021 turns out to have been better still, growing even more in both total units added and on a percentage basis. Measured print sales reached 826 million units in 2021, up 68 million units (or 9 percent) over 758 million units in 2020 — when sales had grown 57 […]
Agency News: Reuben Leaves Paradigm for WME
Longtime Paradigm veteran and head of their book publishing division Alyssa Reuben, has moved over to William Morris Endeavor’s books department in New York.