Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a deal to release an audio version of his memoir through Audible later this year. He will self-publish the print version through Kaepernick Publishing, with Two Rivers distributing and working in partnership with Melcher Media. His publishing company is also said to have a “a multi-project deal with Audible to create original audio projects focused on amplifying the voices of notable authors, creators and other influential figures.” The release adds, “Kaepernick founded his own publishing company to reinforce the importance of Black ownership, which will extend to the authors, writers and creators with whom […]
Judge Denies Request to Keep Audible Captions Settlement Secret
Judge Valerie Caproni denied the request to keep sealed the details of the settlement agreement between the seven litigating publishers and Audible in the lawsuit over the Captions initiative. She noted, “The public has a presumptive right to judicial documents” and “in this case, the parties have not demonstrated competing interests sufficient” to go against general practice. That presents the parties with a choice: By February 21, they need to either submit proposed redactions to the judge, or else drop their request for the court to retain jurisdiction over enforcement of the agreement. Judge Caproni warned that, “At this juncture, […]
Corporate: Barnes & Noble “A Big Mess”; A Big Charge At Luebbe; Booktopia Adds Funding
Barnes & Noble ceo James Daunt, speaking to inews.co.uk following the release of Waterstones’ results, declares of BN, “We had a pretty awful Christmas over here.” He adds, “But that was because there are parts that I’ve abandoned.” More broadly, he says BN is “as Waterstones was in 2011, which is: not very good bookshops, not looking very nice. It’s a big mess.” While publishers like Lagardere are investing in games, Germany’s Luebbe is taking a big charge after a misadventure there. The company said it will take an impairment loss of between 12 and 14 million euros against its […]
Hachette Acquires Disney Book Group, Moves to Inform and Reassure Confused Authors and Agents
Hachette Book Group has acquired the Disney Book Group, comprising a catalog of over 1,000 titles, announced Thursday afternoon, and will publish those books as part of Little, Brown Children’s. The deal includes over 100 titles acquired but not yet published by Disney. A small number of titles that lend themselves to exploitation in multiple forms were retained by Disney and transferred out of the group to a different entity before the sale closed. Little, Brown Children’s publisher Megan Tingley said in an email to authors and agents that “as of February 1, 2020, the acquired titles are available on […]
Publishers’ Victory Over Audible Captions Applies to All AAP Publishers
Following our exclusive report that the seven publishers and Audible had filed a proposed permanent injunction with the court that would end the lawsuit over the Audible Captions feature, the AAP released a brief statement that expands the scope of the settlement. AAP president and ceo Maria A. Pallante said in a written statement: “AAP, the plaintiffs, and Audible have resolved their pending litigation. Audible has agreed that it will obtain permission from any AAP members that are in good standing with AAP before moving forward with Audible Captions for their works.” As that statement suggests, the parties reached and […]
MacArthur Lashes Out At Landlords, Says His Bid with Shakespeare and Company Was Called their “First Choice”
If you had heard that Shakespeare & Co. was negotiating to occupy the Book Culture space on Columbus Avenue as we had, you’re not alone. Following news that The Strand will take over the space, former partner of Book Culture for that location John R. MacArthur was surprised as well. He wrote to the landlords, noting, “I’m obviously disappointed that you leased the former Book Culture on Columbus space to The Strand, particularly since you all repeatedly stated that my joint bid with Shakespeare and Company was your ‘first choice.’ As Tim and Bob [Quinlan] both told me, Encarnita Quinlan, […]