Apple rejected Sony’s iOS Reader app back in January, and there’s still no sign of it now even though competitors have complied with Apple’s rules prohibiting buy buttons. CNET checked in with Sony reps who claimed they, too, complied with Apple’s rules, but reported the app was still being rejected. “We have no idea why,” the rep said. “It’s an ongoing saga. Stay tuned.” CNET Books-a-Million will also replace Borders in Concord, NC with a tentative opening date of August 25, one week after the chain opens a new store in Erie, PA. Release Changing Hands owner Gayle Shanks told […]
People
Jackie Harvey has joined the Lerner Publishing Group as national sales director. Previously she was a product and marketing manager in the K-12 school division of Pearson. Casey Francis has been named director of corporate communications for Thomas Nelson. Previously she was public relations and communications officer for Commonwealth Brands. Bella Pagan will join Tor UK as a senior commissioning editor on September 1. Previously she was an editor at Orbit UK. William Sleator, 66, the author of more than thirty books for young adults and children, died on August 2 in Thailand. Among his acclaimed novels were THE INTERSTELLAR […]
Briefs: Liberty Deal For BN Reportedly “Looks Shaky”; More on McGraw-Hill; Inkling Raises Another $17M; and More
Two-and-a-half months after Liberty Media’s initial offer to purchase Barnes & Noble for $17 a share (or just over $1 billion), the NY Post claims the deal now “looks shaky.” Or it may simply be a delay in the initial timetable, as “a deal failed to materialize last week, which was a preliminary target for a final deal since talks began in May, according to sources.” Drawing on a single, unnamed source, the paper says “at least one private-equity giant this week hired a consulting firm to take a fresh look at B&N’s books in case their deal falls apart.” […]
People, Etc.
The successors to Larry Kirshbaum’s former agency LJK Literary Management have formally launched their new entity, Einstein Thompson Agency. Susanna Einstein and Meg Thompson are co-directors of the new agency. They will take over representation of Kirshbaum’s clients, including Elizabeth Flock, Dorothea Benton Frank, Anita Hill, Steven James, James Kimmel, Kimberly Pauley, Austin Ratner, James Redfield, Jeremy Rifkin, Larkin Warren, and the estate of Donald E. Westlake. Sandy Hodgman has been promoted to director of foreign rights under the new banner, and Molly Reese has been promoted to associate agent. She will continue to assist Einstein and Thompson, oversee audio […]
People: DiPreta to Crown Archetype, Dickerman Named Penguin Press Executive Editor
Mauro DiPreta will join Crown in the newly created position of VP, Editor-in-Chief of Crown Archetype on September 7. DiPreta will be responsible for directing and overseeing the editorial operations for Archetype, Harmony, Crown Business, and Crown Forum. He will report to Crown Archetype svp and publisher Tina Constable, who says in a statement: “[DiPreta] possesses a deep understanding of the entire publishing process…has a well-established reputation as an editor and editorial leader with an uncommonly keen commercial sense, and an enviable track record of success. Over the course of his career, he has spearheaded the publication of numerous bestsellers […]
Controversy About Coal Lesson Packet Causes Scholastic To Cut Back Corporate-Sponsored Projects
After receiving a barrage of criticism back in May for sponsoring a fourth-grade lesson packet on coal-based energy that was paid for by the American Coal Foundation, Scholastic announced Sunday evening that it will cut back its InSchool marketing division’s corporate-sponsored projects and create a new review board to vet its materials. “We have to improve our standards, and make sure there’s not a scintilla of anything that could be suggested to be biased,” Scholastic president and ceo Richard Robinson told the NYT. “The vast majority of our programs are not controversial, but once in a while there was a […]