Penguin Random House UK has proposed closing its third-party distribution center in Grantham in 2025 due to rising costs and “supply chain challenges”, the Bookseller reports. The warehouse handles distribution for more than 40 publishers and has a staff of approximately 200, who are at risk of being laid off. In an email to staff, ceo Tom Weldon said, “While we are very proud of our work with our third-party partners, our findings have shown that it is not commercially viable for us to continue running this aspect of our operations. As a result, we are proposing to close this […]
Imprints: Minerva, Great Place Books
Astra Books for Young Readers is rebranding its children’s imprint mineditionUS to Minerva. New books published by editorial director Maria Russo will be under the Minerva name. Previously published mineditionUS titles and their reprints will keep that imprint name, and select picture books and board books imported from the European minedition publishing program, which is keeping its name, will be published as minedition in the US. “We looked for a name that was a nod to its forebear, honoring the distinguished minedition tradition that Michael Neugebauer and his team in Europe and Hong Kong built, and that also reflected the […]
Booktopia to Cut Staff and Expenses
Australian retailer Booktopia announced that it would cut 30 to 40 jobs (or 10 to 15 percent of employees) and implement other cost-cutting plans, “to improve shareholder returns and in response to changing consumer sentiment, greater competition online and inflation.” A company spokesperson told the Brisbane Times that the layoffs are predominantly in “administrative roles.” Booktopia chairman Peter George said, “Letting some of our talented staff go as part of these cost-cutting initiatives is a disappointing but necessary step in these economic times.” He also noted, “Booktopia is focused on building a profitable, sustainable business in the interests of all […]
New Books Publishing January 24
Notable releases this week include new novels from Paul Harding, Aleksandar Hemon, and Brad Taylor, as well as nonfiction by David Graeber and Lisa Guerrero. Also out this week is new work from Iliana Regan, excerpted in our Buzz Books 2022: Fall/Winter anthology, and Kate Clayborn’s Georgie, All Along, available in our Buzz Books 2022: Romance sampler. 15 works of fiction https://bookshop.org/lists/new-fiction-publishing-january-24 12 nonfiction titles https://bookshop.org/lists/new-nonfiction-publishing-january-24 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 […]
Amazon’s New Ebook Return Policy to Take Effect Shortly
Amazon’s new restrictions on ebook returns will be rolled out in the US by the end of the month, the Authors Guild reports. The policy, encouraged by the Guild and announced in September, will limit automatic returns on books where more than 10 percent has been read. This change to the policy was supposed to be implemented by the end of 2022, and a press release states that Amazon is “in the final stages of making these technical changes.”
People 1/20
At Scholastic, Rachel Schwartz has joined as director of cross channel marketing. Previously she was director of program and product marketing at Scholastic Book Fairs.