As France and the UK impose broad lockdowns again in the wake of rapidly rising Covid-19 infections, the treatment of book sales is receiving more focused attention this time versus the spring shutdowns. In France, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Sunday night that he would prohibit supermarkets — which are still open — from selling non-essential products including books “as a matter of fairness” to specialty retailers such as bookstores, which are closed. This morning, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the government would consider allowing small stores to reopen as early as November 12, rather than December 1, […]
New Books Publishing October 27
As in previous weeks, our sample Bookshop and Aerbook store carousels provide easy displays of books publishing today in need of attention and support, featuring: 16 new works of fiction https://bookshop.org/lists/new-fiction-publishing-october-27 7 new nonfiction titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-nonfiction-publishing-october-27 More new children’s and YA titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-children-s-titles-publishing-in-orctoberber We consult a number of sources in compiling our weekly lists and PM members can see our lists for the coming three months through this reference page. But if you want to make sure your key titles are on our radar, now you can use this form to submit brief details as well: publun.ch/submitNotable. Please submit your notable titles at least […]
The Strand’s Revenues Are Down “Nearly 70 Percent”
Owner of the the Strand Book Store Nancy Bass wrote to customers asking for support to sustain and save the business: “The Strand’s revenue has dropped nearly 70 percent compared to last year…. Because of the impact of Covid-19, we cannot survive the huge decline in foot traffic, a near-complete loss of tourism, and zero in-store events.” Bass says, “The next few months will determine the future of The Strand.” The store did receive a PPP loan, reported by their union to be over $1 million. Bass says that loan and their cash reserves “allowed us to weather the past […]
Molly Stern Launches New Publisher, Zando
Two years after she was dismissed from her position as svp, publisher of Crown in a reorganization after it was merged into the Random House Publishing Group, Molly Stern has formally announced her new independent publishing company, Zando (named for her sons, Zach and Oscar). The company is backed by “a significant start-up investment” from Sister, the studio founded in 2019 by Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone. Those three all sit on Zando’s board of directors, along with Matthew Lieber of Gimlet, and producer David Benioff. Murdoch says “Molly and Sister have a huge passion for new voices” […]
Barnes & Noble Hack Said to be Confirmed As Ransomware Attack; Nook Restoration Almost Complete
A reporter for BleepingComputer says he has confirmed what has been suspected since the Barnes & Noble cybersecurity attack was first observed: A group using the new Egregor ransomware “is claiming responsibility,” having “gained access to [the] corporate network” and “state that they stole unencrypted files as part of the attack.” The site says it “was contacted by a threat actor who stated that the Egregor ransomware operation was behind the attack.” They add that the group “published files that they claim were stolen during the attack on Barnes & Noble.” But their take on those proof packet files is […]
New Books Publishing October 20
As in previous weeks, our sample Bookshop and Aerbook store carousels provide easy displays of books publishing today in need of attention and support, featuring: 11 new works of fiction https://bookshop.org/lists/new-fiction-publishing-october-20 15 new nonfiction titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-nonfiction-publishing-october-20 More new children’s and YA titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-children-s-titles-publishing-in-orctoberber We consult a number of sources in compiling our weekly lists and PM members can see our lists for the coming three months through this reference page. But if you want to make sure your key titles are on our radar, now you can use this form to submit brief details as well: publun.ch/submitNotable. Please submit your notable titles at least […]