Though 2018 was not as active a year for publishing mergers, acquisitions, and finance as was 2017, it was by no means quiet — and reflects certain marketplace shifts towards consolidation and scale we’ve been paying close attention to for the last several years. Penguin Random House made with a number of modest purchases around the world, including the books division of Rodale, paperback publisher Hind Pocket Books in India, and a controlling stake in Brazil’s Companhia das Letras, while also selling off the app company Smashing Ideas, which was an early outside purchase under ceo Markus Dohle’s tenure in […]
Abrams Acquires Overlook Press
Abrams announced the acquisition of The Overlook Press, two and a half months after the death of founder and publisher Peter Mayer. As of August 1, Abrams will handle all aspects of the publishing, marketing, and business operations for The Overlook Press’ books, including its forthcoming titles, while sales and distribution will be handled by Abrams as soon as existing contractual obligations expire. (Overlook has been distributed by Norton. And Abrams using Hachette Book Group for distribution services.) Longtime Overlook associate publisher Tracy Carns and several other employees will join Abrams, continuing in their current roles. “Acquiring The Overlook Press’ […]
Reidy Supports Moonves: “He has always been supportive, straightforward, and helpful to me and S&S”
Simon & Schuster president and ceo Carolyn Reidy issued a statement Monday in response to Ronan Farrow’s New Yorker story detailing multiple allegations of sexual harassment against CBS head Les Moonves. “I have directly reported to Leslie Moonves for nearly 12 years, and during all that time I have been heartened and deeply impressed by the way in which women have been promoted and championed under his leadership at CBS, treated as equals and rewarded for their accomplishments and talent.” Reidy said. She added, “He has always been supportive, straightforward, and helpful to me and Simon & Schuster.” Reidy continued: […]
People, Etc.
Mitchell Ivers is leaving Simon & Schuster on August 31 after more than 21 years at the company, most recently as vp, editorial director of Threshold Editions (though the imprint is not mentioned in the announcement), to write a book “inspired by his recent trip to Israel and Palestine” and to explore publishing opportunities. Ivers joined Simon & Schuster in 1997. In a note to staff, Jonathan Karp remarked on Ivers’ years of “major bestsellers and consummate professionalism” and his “his open-mindedness and courageous support of writers of all voices.” Including, though also not mentioned, the ill-fated Milo Yiannopoulos project. That […]
People
Eamon Dolan is leaving Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, where he was vp, editorial director of Eamon Dolan Books, after seven years with the company (as well as an earlier stint, when he was editor-in-chief of HMH), upon the news that his imprint is being eliminated. HMH svp, publisher Bruce Nichols said in a statement to PL: “To meet the needs of our changing marketplace, we often must make tough business decisions, including the choice to wind down Eamon Dolan Books. Eamon has been a wonderful colleague and friend. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him the best in his next […]
Briefs: Quarto Reshuffles Board; Rowman & Littlefield Acquires Pineapple Press; and More
Quarto has reshuffled its board of directors just two months after Laurence Orbach was reinstalled himself as executive chairman. Orbach will now step down from that position to become a non-executive director, while Andy Cumming, who joined Quarto’s board in March after 17 years at Lloyds, is promoted to chairman and senior independent non-executive director. In addition, coo Ken Fund has also been appointed as executive director of the board. Acquisitions Rowman & Littlefield has acquired Pineapple Press, a Sarasota, Florida-based company specializing in “all things Florida”, including art, folklore, gardening, history, nature and travel. Pineapple Press, founded in 1982 […]