HarperCollins has announced the launch of BookGenie and Epic Reads, two bot-powered book recommendation engines available through Facebook Messenger. Both provide book recommendations through one-on-one chatting. With Bookgenie, readers request a recommendation based on a book they enjoyed, or select from curated recommendations. Epic Reads, related to the publisher’s YA-focused site, allows readers to specify what kind of mood they’re in, as well as what books and authors they enjoy. HarperCollins vice president of marketing Carrie Bloxson said in the announcement, “We’re always looking for ways to help readers discover new books and authors. The BookGenie bot combines the power of […]
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News Corp. has announced that Bedi Singh will step down as chief financial officer on March 1. Susan Panuccio, currently cfo of News Corp. Australia, will succeed him. Executive chairman Rupert Murdoch said in the release: “Through his astute financial management of key acquisitions and divestitures, and with the prudent institution of cost controls across the businesses, Bedi has helped News Corp. weather the challenges of this era better than its peers, and put it on firm footing for long-term growth and profitability.” Singh, who has served as cfo since 2013, will continue to advise the company on digital property interests […]
People, Awards: LA Times Prize Announcements, and More
The Los Angeles Times announced book prize finalists in 11 categories — including a new award for autobiographical prose named in honor of Christopher Isherwood — with the winners to be named April 21. Thomas McGuane will receive the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement. Among the nominees are: Fiction Garth Greenwell, What Belongs to You (FSG) Adam Haslett, Imagine Me Gone (Little, Brown) Lydia Millet, Sweet Lamb of Heaven (Norton) Zadie Smith, Swing Time (Penguin Press) Dana Spiotta, Innocents and Others (Scribner) First Fiction Sara Baume, Spill Simmer Falter Wither (HMH) Mark Beauregard, The Whale (Viking) Nathan Hill, The Nix (Knopf) Idra Novey, Ways […]
Forthcoming: Gaiman Sequel to Neverwhere; Millenium Novel Gets a Title
Twenty years after the publication of Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman has announced he is working on a sequel. Gaiman told the audience at an event in London that he is “a solid three chapters” into the project, titled THE SEVEN SISTERS. The Guardian reports that “Gaiman said that he had been prompted to write the sequel both by the changes in the world over the past 20 years and his work with the UN refugee agency.” The original book follows tribes of homeless people as they navigate a fantastical city called London Below. Of his inspiration to write the new book, Gaiman said, […]
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George Coe is being promoted to coo for Follett Corporation and Baker & Taylor, effective March 31. He has been Follett Group President, Baker & Taylor and Follett School Solutions since the acquisition of Baker & Taylor in April 2016 — prior to which was president and ceo of Baker & Taylor. Follett ceo Ray Griffith said in the announcement, “George brings an outstanding track record of business leadership to Follett at a time of incredible growth potential for the company.” Random House Children’s Books has promoted Allison Judd to senior publicist. At Crown, Will Wolfsau has been promoted to associate editor. In the UK, […]
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Rose Hilliard has joined Audible as executive editor in their Original Publishing division, bolstering their acquisitions of original audiobooks and audio-first projects. She was senior editor at St. Martin’s. Jessica Renheim has been promoted to senior editor at Dutton. Publisher Christine Ball said in the announcement, “As you all know she is one of the hardest workers around and she is part of the Dutton fabric.” At Viking Children’s, Kendra Levin was recently promoted to executive editor while Maggie Rosenthal was promoted to assistant editor. At University of North Carolina Press, Brandon Proia has been promoted to senior editor. Chris Wellbelove will move to […]