News Corp disclosed in its quarterly 10-Q report on Friday that HarperCollins acquired Thomas Nelson for $200 million, and that the deal took place in October. The number is less than half the $473 million former owner InterMedia paid for Thomas Nelson back in 2006. The filing also disclosed that HarperCollins is now subject to 23 different consumer class action suits filed in New York and California relating to purported anti-trust issues and the use of the agency model by the six largest publishing houses. The defendants, including HarperCollins, filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to […]
BN Introduces the $249 Nook Tablet, Takes Multiple Shots at the Kindle Fire
You would think the drama would have been taken away from Barnes and Noble’s presentation of their new Nook devices Monday morning in New York, following the thorough (and completely accurate) leaking of that information last week, as we reported on Friday. What’s most important is that BN answered the lingering question of “can they really compete with Amazon?” with a clear indication that they have come to play. What’s more, and unlike previous Nook presentations, the gloves are clearly off and every aspect of Monday’s presentation focused on why BN believes they have better devices and “incredible values” that take Amazon head […]
People, Etc.
Katie Henderson Adams has joined Liveright & Company as editor, where she will acquire literary fiction and non-fiction. Previously she was an editor at Other Press. Daniela Petracco has been named editorial director of Europa Editions UK, which will launch in January with eight titles. Working out of their newly established London office, she will manage publicity operations, marketing and sales, working to build Europa Editions’ market and relationship with booksellers in the UK and Ireland. Petracco spent the past ten years as an agent with Andrew Nurnberg Associates. Multiple sources indicate that Bookish quietly laid off as many as […]
Nancy Jensen’s The Sisters Tops December Indie Next List
Here are the ABA’s latest monthly picks: 1. The Sisters: A Novel, by Nancy Jensen The Angel Makers, by Jessica Gregson Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, by Robert K. Massie Mourad: New Moroccan, by Mourad Lahlou Harbor, by John Ajvide Lindqvist The Drop, by Michael Connelly Family Legacy, by Jack O’Halloran Second Read: Writers Look Back at Classic Works of Reportage, by James Marcus (Ed.) Blue Nights, by Joan Didion BarnHeart: The Incurable Longing for a Farm of One’I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Luce Novel, by Alan Bradleys Own, by Jenna Woginrich 420 Characters, by […]
People, Etc.
At Harvard Business Review Press, Sarah McConville has been promoted to publisher, responsible for leading all commercial aspects of the press including strategic partnerships, marketing and publicity, foreign rights, and global and domestic sales. She will also spearhead product development efforts. In addition, Tim Sullivan moves up to editorial director. At Random House, Frank Steinert has been promoted to evp, chief human resources officer. He is head of HR for the US division and for the company worldwide. Alyson Sinclair has been named publicity director at McSweeney’s, effective November 21st. She was most recently marketing and publicity manager at City […]
Sales and Profits Up For Simon & Schuster in Third Quarter
CBS reported second quarter earnings after the close of the market on Tuesday, with Simon & Schuster recording a 1 percent increase in sales, up $2 million to $220 million, and a sharper increase in profits. Adjusted OIBDA rose $6 million (or 19 percent) to $38 million, and adjusted operating income also rose $6 million, at $30 million. The company said that “strong growth in the sale of more profitable digital content was offset by lower print book sales,” indicating that improved profits were “driven by lower direct operating costs, including expense decreases resulting from the significant increase in more […]