One apparent bright spot in the UK bookselling landscape is WHSmith Travel, profiled in Publishing Perspectives as “long the jewel in the famous company’s portfolio.” UK publishers point to the experience of the buying team, which cites Christos Tsiolkas’ THE SLAP and Richard Templar’s THE RULES OF LIFE as titles they have done well with, as well as the division’s international expansion: they currently operate 26 units, with another 2 to open, as well as having acquired 12 more locations in India and Kuwait. Germany’s largest bookseller Thalia, working in conjunction with Sweden’s Pocket Shop AB, will add between 15-30 […]
Borders Reaches Deal With GE Capital, Will Name First Bidder By July 1
In court papers filed late Friday, Borders said it has reached an agreement with GE Capital on a new amendment to its debtor-in-possession loan that will allow more than 40 stores whose landlords had not granted more time for the company to accept or reject leases to remain open. Borders said the agreement “enable [them] to commence and consummate a coordinated dual-track sale process for the sale of their businesses by the end of July.” In addition, Borders said it’s expected to name a stalking horse bidder on or before July 1, and has scheduled an auction on July 19, […]
Lunch Weekly For June 20, 2011
Deal Reports Just e-mail to deals@PublishersMarketplace if you aren’t using the online form linked below. Report a deal using the online form The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut Ashley Prentice Norton’s THE CHOCOLATE MONEY: the story of the daughter of […]
Rep. Michele Bachmann Said to Have Book Deal With Sentinel
The NYT says that Republican presidential candidate and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann will publish her memoir through Penguin’s Sentinel, according to “two people familiar with the negotiations.” Sentinel’s Will Weisser said “we have nothing to announce at this time, adding “we did have a wonderful meeting with her.” Politico writes that Bachmann, who is represented by agent Alex Hoyt, was swayed by Penguin CEO David Shanks. As “a Republican and an observant Catholic — both rarities in New York’s publishing world — Shanks convinced Bachmann that, as a conservative himself, he’d be the right man to handle her book and […]
eNews: Google Affiliate Program; Success of Book Apps; and More
After launching the program in limited beta last December, Google eBooks’ affiliate program is seemingly ready for prime time. The program is only open to “Retailers, bloggers, book publishers and other website owners in the U.S.,” and no specific commission rates are cited, but they will have access to Google’s affiliate network and to APIs for more specifically targeted programs. Inside Google Books Blog The jury still seems to be out on the effectiveness of book apps, though two of them merited attention at Thursday’s Futurebook Innovation Workshop conference in London. UK studio Ustwo said its Nursery Rhymes With StoryTime […]
People, Etc.
Scholastic has named Gayley Avery director of licensed publishing and Mike Merrill joins the company as director of digital publishing. Previously Avery was director of marketing for DC Comics and Merrill was most recently director of product technology at Kaplan Bar Review. At Grand Central, Nick Small has been promoted to publicist. Lil Copan has joined Abingdon Press as senior acquisitions editor for the Christian Living Line. Previously she was an editor with Paraclete Press. In addition, Ramona Richards has been promoted to senior acquisitions editor. At Princeton University Press, Seth Ditchik has been promoted to executive editor, responsible for […]