Alexander Fest, long-serving publisher at Germany’s Rowohlt until stepping down in 2014 to work as editor at large, is leaving the company at the end of January 2022 after more than 20 years, to join DTV as consulting publisher in spring 2022. Buchmarket observes that, “With this, the traditional company is losing a piece of its DNA.” CEO of Holtzbrinck Germany Alexander Lorbeer says in the announcement, “I regret and respect Alexander Fest’s personal decision. Even if he will be with the publisher until the beginning of next year, I would like to express our special thanks to him today for his […]
Strong Fourth Quarter Gives Harper Record Sales and Earnings for Year
News Corp. reported fiscal fourth quarter and full year sales after the close of the market on Thursday, with record profits companywide, as well as at Harper Collins. For the fiscal fourth quarter, Harper’s sales of $493 million were up significantly from $407 million a year ago (but also from $419 million two years ago). EBITDA was up just $1 million, to $48 million, after a surprisingly profitable quarter a year ago even on lower sales. Earnings were “partially offset by higher costs related to the acquisition of HMH, increased sales volume and the mix of titles, as well as […]
HBG Postpones Office Reopening; For Now Will Require Vaccinations and Masks
With uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant, Hachette Book Group ceo Michael Pietsch told staff that, “We have decided to postpone the reopening of our offices, which had been set for September. We have not set a new reopening schedule at this time. When we decide it is safe to proceed with reopening, we will provide a minimum of four weeks’ notice before we proceed.” Pietsch notes they have also experienced “ongoing changes to regulations in some of the cities and states where HBG has offices.” The offices “remain open for people who want or need to use them, within our […]
Obituary: Kitchen Arts & Letters Founder Nach Waxman Dies Suddenly
The renowned Upper East Side bookstore Kitchen Arts & Letters announced that founder and co-owner Nach Waxman “died suddenly” on Wednesday, August 4. They write: “He built the store into a worldwide haven for people who were serious about food and drink books. He encouraged the best authors, respected the passion and curiosity of cooks and readers at all levels, and never lost a sense of pleasure and wonder at discovering the myriad ways people wrote about cooking, eating, and drinking. All of us who worked with him will miss him deeply. As we carry on the tradition he created, […]
Imprints: Rucci to Start Eponymous Line at Scribner
Simon & Schuster editor-in-chief Marysue Rucci will move over to Scribner on September 7, where she will lead a new Marysue Rucci Books imprint as vp, publisher and editor-in-chief. Her first books under the new imprint will be on the Summer 2022 list. Scribner publisher Nan Graham writes, “Her facility and flair as an editor of bestselling suspense, literary fiction, and memoir will complement and build upon areas of publishing in which Scribner has historically excelled. Marysue’s appointment also marks her return to the house where she worked as an editorial assistant and was crucial in Scribner’s acquisition of New […]
S&S Sales Were $219 Million
Following ViacomCBS’s release of their form 10-q for the second quarter, we can see that Simon & Schuster had sales of $219 million — rebounding from $200 million in 2020, and in line with the $218 million recorded in 2019. Operating income looks to have been $52 million, versus $35 million a year ago. Previously, the company reported OIBDA for the publisher, which was $38 million in 2020.