Multimedia entertainment retailer Hastings, which has been in steady financial decline for years, has entered into a merger agreement with a company owned by Joel Weinshanker, who already owns a 12 percent stake in Hastings and runs National Entertainment Collectibles Association, a key supplier of movie, book and video game merchandise and collectibles to Hastings for more than a decade. Under the terms of the deal, valued at $21.4 million or $3 a share (a 50 percent premium on the closing share price at the end of last week) Hastings would be merged with Hendrix Acquisition Corp under the parent company […]
People: Robinson Leads Authors Guild, and More
The Authors Guild has elected novelist Roxana Robinson as their new president, taking over from Scott Turow after four years of service. She is joined by Judy Blume, Richard Russo, and James Shapiro as co-vice presidents. CJ Lyons joined the Guild’s executive Council. With her addition, the organization notes, “we now have our first self-published author on our board.” On the lawsuits against Google and HathiTrust pursued aggressively during his tenure, Turow said, “Groundbreaking lawsuits are most often decided in higher courts. We know we were right to bring these cases, and we expect to prevail at the end of […]
People, Etc.
Next month the London Book Fair will present agent Deborah Rogers, ceo of Rogers, Coleridge & White, with their annual lifetime achievement award. In the announcement, chair of Penguin Random House UK Gail Rebuck comments: “Deborah Rogers is a legendary agent who has made an unsurpassed contribution to a thriving publishing business. Her entrepreneurial spirit in setting up an agency in the 1960s and seeing it grow successfully, adding brilliant new agents over the years is beyond compare. Deborah is equally known for nurturing the careers of an enviable list of authors where her genius has been not only to […]
Asimov Estate and Trident Media Spar in Court Over Termination
For those wondering why large portions of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s voluminous backlist remain unavailable, a recent dispute between the author’s estate and Trident Media Group may provide a partial answer. The case is also worth watching for any literary agency based in New York (or with New York clients) that has an automatic renewal clause. The essence of the dispute is this: The Asimov estate, overseen by his widow Janet and daughter Robyn, sought to terminate their representation agreement with Trident in November 2013 after 5 years of working together. TMG told them they would have to wait until the expiration […]
People, Etc.
After acquiring Constable & Robinson in February, Little Brown UK is in “consultation” (the required discussion process when a job is being eliminated) with approximately half the unit’s staff of 41 people. The Bookseller says the positions are primarily in sales, marketing and production. A spokesperson for Hachette tells the magazine, “Where a job is made redundant, we will do our utmost to find an alternative, either in Little, Brown or Hachette.” That person confirms that “just over 20” positions are in consultation. Henry Sene Yee has been named creative director of Flatiron Books, in addition to his current role as creative […]
People
Tiffany Tomlin has been promoted to executive director of the newly aligned Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau. At Chronicle Books, Liz Marotte has been promoted to senior client account manager. In addition, Lara Starr has been promoted to senior publicist, children’s publishing. At Workman, John Jenkinson has been promoted to senior publicist, while Margaret Rogalski has been named publicist, moving over from Gotham Books. At Disney-Hyperion, Lisa Yoskowitz has been promoted to senior editor, and Laura Schreiber moves up to associate editor. Liz Usuriello has been promoted to publishing coordinator; Joann Hill is now senior manager, design; and Maria Elias […]