Following the alarming rise of selective local banning of books in various school systems, both the House and Senate are reported to be preparing resolutions “to protect the rights of students to learn.” Resolutions are expression of sentiment, however, and are not laws. From coverage in Politico, which has seen a draft, the resolution “expresses concern about the spreading problem of book banning and proliferating threats to freedom of expression in the United States” and “reaffirms the United States’ commitment to supporting writers’ freedom of expression, and the freedom of all Americans to read books without government censorship.” It also […]
Metropolitan Books to be Disbanded
Co-founder of Metropolitan Books and current svp, publisher Sara Bershtel and “other staff” at Metropolitan “will be leaving” on October 14, Macmillan confirmed to Publishers Lunch after we learned that the respected imprint would be closed and inquired for details. Longtime Metropolitan editor and associate publisher Riva Hocherman will remain and work for Holt, we were told separately, though she was not mentioned in the brief statement. Holt president and publisher Amy Einhorn “also announced that more information about Metropolitan’s future would be shared soon.” Staff indicated to PL that there has been no news internally yet about reassignment of […]
People: Indigo Promotes Ruis to CEO
Indigo Books president Peter Ruis, who joined the company in early 2021, has been promoted to CEO and joins the company’s board as well. Controlling owner Heather Reisman relinquishes the leadership role and takes the position of executive chair, where she will “continue to drive Indigo’s vision and growth strategy while also remaining deeply involved in the business.” Chief customer and digital officer Andrea Limbardi moves up to president. (Limbardi has been with the company for over 20 years.) The company notes, “The Board and its Human Resources, Compensation and Governance Committee have been involved in the entire succession planning […]
Memorial: Joan Didion
Knopf will hold a celebration of the life of Joan Didion on Wednesday, September 21, beginning at 5 PM, in New York at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue. Speakers will include Hilton Als, Gov. Jerry Brown, Griffin Dunne, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Susanna Moore, Vanessa Redgrave, David Remnick, Patti Smith, Jia Tolentino, Calvin Trillin, and Kevin Young. The service is open to the public and a livestream will be hosted on the Cathedral’s website as well. Didion died on December 23 at the age of 87.
Hoover’s Print Sales Have Topped 7 Million Units in 2022
NPD Bookscan noted in a release that Colleen Hoover has sold 7.3 million print books so far this year, through August 27. Right now she occupies four of the top six spots on Bookscan’s most recent bestseller list, and nine of the top 20 spots — with titles from three different publishers. Year to date, she holds five of the top eight bestselling print books as well. Her new book, IT STARTS WITH US, publishes October 18 and “is expected to smash presale records,” Bookscan adds. The majority of Hoover’s books are categorized as romance, and a separate release from […]
Merriam-Webster Parent Britannica Hopes for IPO or Capital Raise
Britanica Group is hoping to launch an IPO “as soon as next year,” Bloomberg reports, “according to people with knowledge of the matter,” who are apparently trying to seed interest in the market. CEO Jorge Cauz confirms in an interview, “We are seeing significant increases in revenue and increases in margin. So we want to continue to grow obviously. But since the market changes so rapidly, especially after Covid, we do want to tap into the public markets to accelerate that growth.” Those knowledgable people are hoping the parent of Merriam-Webster “could be valued at more than $1 billion.” The […]