Obituary: Harry Lerner
Lerner Publishing Group founder and chair Harry Lerner, 93, died on April 8. Lerner began his publishing career as a GI in Germany when when he published a guidebook for fellow servicemen. In 1959 he began publishing children’s books and launched the company’s first imprint, Carolrhoda Books, with his first wife, Sharon Lerner, in 1969. He ran the company until 1998, when his son Adam Lerner took over.
More on Tariffs for Book Production Materials and US Exports
The American Booksellers Association published an explainer on how the new tariffs will affect the book world. As previously reported, standard printed books imported into the US are exempt from the new tariffs. However, the cost of producing books—and thus, book prices—could go up, if publishers use ink, pulp, or paper imported from other countries, such as China or the EU. Paper from Canada (and Mexico) that is “wholly grown, produced, or manufactured” within the country is exempt, since it’s subject to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Retaliatory tariffs from other countries will affect books exported by US publishers, however. […]
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Abrams Books Employees Unionize
UAW Local 2110 petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a vote to unionize Abrams Books employees, the first step in officially forming a union. The workers, including staff in publicity, marketing, production, design, managing editorial, sales, distribution, IT, finance, and the mail room, are looking for higher wages, increased job security, and more transparency from management. Local 2110 also represents the Harper Collins union. The union posted a mission statement on social media, which reads in part, “In forming a union, we stake our claim in shaping the future of Abrams: a more equitable, ethical, and transparent working environment. […]
Inside Inkitt
In a lengthy feature for Bloomberg, Vauhini Vara describes the publishing process at self-publishing startup Inkitt. The piece details the company’s use of AI to create stories and video content based on a writer’s ideas, a pivot that the company noted during their Series C funding round in early 2024. As previously reported, the company counts Macmillan chair Stefan von Holtzbrinck as an investor, as well as former Sony and Penguin Group ceo Michael Lynton. Former Harper Collins ceo Jane Friedman is an advisor (though they all joined before the company implemented their AI strategy). Authors can upload their stories on […]