Building on their initiative to provide a broader catalog of digital content to libraries, OverDrive announced that it is acquiring video streaming service Kanopy from private equity investor L Squared Capital Partners. The streamer provides 2,300 academic institutions and public libraries with a catalog of over 30,000 films. Kanopy is used by millions of students and library patrons and is available on all major web, mobile and TV platforms. OverDrive CEO Steve Potash says in the announcement, “The Kanopy apps and streaming viewing experience are excellent services to further benefit our network of public libraries and academic partners.” The release […]
(Limited) Distribution
Dave Eggers’ THE EVERY, a follow-up to THE CIRCLE, will publish on October 5 in a limited-distribution hardcover that will be sold exclusively through independent bookstores and McSweeney’s website. Eggers said in an email, “I don’t like bullies. Amazon has been kicking sand in the face of independent bookstores for decades now.” Vintage will publish trade paperback and ebook editions on November 16, available through all retailers. The strategy means that links to pre-order the trade paperback and ebook are available widely already — but since the limited-distribution hardcover isn’t available through an ONIX feed, independent bookstores’ websites don’t have […]
Bookselling
Barnes & Noble will close their store in Dallas‘s Preston Royal Village on Sunday after 15 years, saying that “we were unfortunately unable to reach a commercial agreement with our landlord to keep this store open.” The company is looking for a new location nearby.
People 6/8
Waterstones Sales Fell to New Low
Waterstones filed a belated report for their fiscal year ending April 25, 2020, including only the earliest days of the pandemic, with sales falling £17 million to £376 million — the lowest level yet following a long period of general decline — down 4.3 percent from £393 million in the prior fiscal year. Operating profit was up modestly at £32.6 million (compared to £29.7 million), but pre-tax profit fell by £4 million to £22.5 million, down 15 percent. The company notes that Covid-19 “has had, and continues to have, a significant adverse impact on Waterstones.” They add that, “Footfall and sales […]
Branding
As of July 7, HarperCollins will institute interim changes on new books from former Houghton Mifflin Harcourt lines as they “continue to work to integrate the companies.” Frontlist and reprinted adult books going to press that were published by HMH will use the Mariner name and colophon, and children’s books will use the Clarion name and branding. These changes will apply to audio as well. HMH Productions has been renamed HarperCollins Productions. The terms of the acquisition of HMH Books & Media do not allow HarperCollins to use the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt name or branding on a on-going basis.