Penguin Random House announced they will make “a substantial donation” to the Red Cross, entirely directed to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which destroyed parts of the country and killed upwards of 10,000 people. The tragedy has a “personal connection” for Penguin Random House, ceo Markus Dohle wrote in a letter to staff, because the company’s Author Solutions division employs more than 1400 people in Cebu, close to where the worst devastation took place. While there have been no reported casualties among Author Solution staff, “we know of more than 100 people in our team with family […]
People, Etc.
Alison Callahan will join Gallery Books on December 2 as executive editor. Previously she was executive editor at Doubleday. Shara Zaval has joined The Book Report Network as Editorial Manager of Kidsreads.com and Teenreads.com. Prior to moving to New York in September, Shara was a publicist with the Independent Publishers Group in Chicago. At Chronicle Books, Victoria Thomas has been promoted to associate sales manager. In the UK, David Higham Associates is taking over representation of the Anthony Burgess estate around the world. In awards news, the winners of Canada’s Governor General’s Literary Awards included: Fiction: Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries […]
People, Etc.
Giles Spackman will join Oxford University Press next month as group finance director. Previously he was senior finance director, global business organization, at Google. At Other Press, Robert Wicks has been promoted to publicist and Charlotte Kelly moves up to associate publicist. Dylan Hillhouse has joined HarperCollins Christian as vp, marketing for the Bible Group. Previously he worked at Mardel Christian Stores, responsible for oversight of the company’s Bible merchandising program. Author of the Arkady Renko novels Martin Cruz Smith revealed to the NYT that he has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for the past 18 years, and that his […]
Malcolm X Heirs Sue to Block Publication of A Diary One Daughter Authorized
Several of Malcolm X’s family members are reported to have filed a lawsuit last Friday to block publication by Chicago-based Third World Press of a diary the civil rights leader wrote in the last year of his life. The reproduction of a private diary kept as he travelled to the Middle East and Africa immediately before his assassination was scheduled for publication this week and lists daughter Ilyasah Shabazz as one of the book’s co-editors. The lawsuit, obtained by the NY Post and other publications and apparently filed in “Manhattan federal court” (but not yet listed on any federal docket) […]
Hachette Hopes for Resolution with Cramer Estate “Without Further Need for Litigation”
Late Friday Hachette spokesperson Sophie Cottrell clarified their position in the ongoing litigation with the estate of Richard Ben Cramer that we reported on. Hachette re-filed their claim, Cottrell explained, “with the cooperation of and prior discussion with the attorney for Cramer’s estate” and, moreover, is “attempting to work with the estate to resolve this matter without further need for litigation.” Cottrell reiterated that the initial lawsuit “was a means of last recourse by Hachette for repayment” of Cramer’s outstanding advance. (Lawyers for Cramer’s estate had still not responded to our request for comment.)
Threshold Withdraws Book by Debunked Benghazi Attack Eyewitness
Threshold Editions said on Friday that it has “withdrawn from publication and sale all formats of” THE EMBASSY HOUSE, written by “Sergeant Morgan Jones” — now revealed to be independent security contractor working for the State Department Dylan Davies, and Damien Lewis. The publisher said in a statement they were taking action “in light of information that has been brought to our attention since the initial publication of THE EMBASSY HOUSE.” They are “notifying accounts that they may return the book to us” and recommending they withdraw it as well. On Friday morning 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan issued an apology for her […]