Quarto Group CEO Alison Goff will step down from her position at the end of the year “due to personal reasons.” She will serve thereafter as an advisor to the board. Goff says in the announcement, “I’ve very much enjoyed my 3 years at Quarto and I hope I have been a catalyst for change.” Controlling owner CK Lau will once again serve as interim CEO starting November 1. Quarto went private in late 2023, with Lau joined by lead minority investor Andrea Giunti Lombardo. At the time, they noted: “In the short term, the company anticipates that revenue will […]
Frankfurt Book Fair Week (Taylor’s Version)
As the trade portion of the Frankfurt Book Fair wraps up, we’re reminded (and remind you) that the biggest book news of the week had nothing to do with the trade show — and oddly has barely been mentioned in most outlets. We are speaking, of course, about Taylor Swift’s limited-edition book TAYLOR SWIFT: The Eras Tour Book, being sold exclusively at Target physical stores on November 29 (and likely to sell out before becoming available online). Everyone’s talking about it, though within the business we fear people are asking the wrong questions and/or coming to the wrong conclusions. Consider […]
Third Quarter Sales Are Flat at Lagardere Publishing, As HBG “Grew Strongly”
Lagardere Publishing issued their brief third quarter trading update on Thursday afternoon, with third quarter sales of €765 million, just below €767 million for the same period a year ago. CEO Arnaud Lagardere said in the release, “Lagardère Publishing maintained a high level of revenue, lifted especially by a standout performance in the United States.” The announcement notes that in the US, “business grew strongly thanks to a publication schedule that included a new Malcolm Gladwell novel (Revenge of the Tipping Point) and strong backlist sales of Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid, together with rising digital sales and a solid performance in […]
NBA Ceremony to Feature Kate McKinnon and Jon Batiste
Actor and comedian Kate McKinnon will host the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner on November 20, and composer and activist Jon Batiste will perform live as well. McKinnon says in the announcement, “I’ve been an invested reader my whole life and am so honored to be part of this event that celebrates the life-changing power of books while recognizing some of today’s most brilliant storytellers.” Batiste says: “Books are sacred sources of refuge, insight and humanity, shaping the world as we know it. am excited to take part in recognizing world class artistry, creativity and the power of […]
Kindle Adds Color Device In “Entirely New Lineup”
Amazon finally announced a color ereader, Kindle Colorsoft, priced at $279.99, releasing October 30. They are also revamping the rest of the Kindle device line, with their “thinnest and fastest ever” Kindle Paperwhite, and an entry-level Kindle “in a fun new Matcha color.” In the announcement, vp of Amazon Devices Kevin Keith notes, “[ebook] sales last year hit a decade high with the majority of purchases going to first time Kindle device owners.” He added, “We are excited to bring our customers a completely new Kindle lineup, including our first color Kindle and a re-imagined Kindle Scribe with even better in-book […]
Record Fall/Frankfurt Adult Deals Follow Big Third Quarter
Yes, your fall and pre-Frankfurt deal submissions really have been even more overwhelming than usual this year. As we noted yesterday, US publishers were strong buyers in the third quarter of the year and that continued in October, as we saw new records for overall deals during this key five-week-plus selling stretch, lifted by adult books in particular. (As a reminder, we measure the five weeks and a day leading up to the Wednesday opening of FBF. Usually that begins with Labor Day, though last year and this year Frankfurt is a week later than usual.) US deals were up […]