After an absence of several weeks, we’re back to comparing the Kindle Top 10 versus the new USA Today chart, which now incorporates Kindle sales data. Most of the titles declined on the USAT list with the exception of Ronald Kessler’s In the President’s Secret Service, which posted big gains (reflected in the Kindle sales jump as well.) Here’s our chart, ranking the books according to their position on the Kindle bestseller list, with their USAT ranking and related data indicated first: [D} 4 South of Broad, Pat Conroy (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday)Last week: 2#1 KindleLast week: 1 [D] 28 The […]
People
At Random House Publishing Group, Kristen Fassler has been named Deputy Director, Marketing, reporting to Sanyu Dillon, and Carolyn Schwartz has been appointed VP, Director of Ad/Promo, reporting to Stacey Witcraft. Both begin their positions on September 3. David Inman has been appointed sales and marketing director of Quarto UK, reporting to Ken Fund. Previously he was international sales director for the Octopus Group. J.P. Hunting has joined HarperCollins UK as key account manager for children’s sales. Previously he was the children’s book buyer for Borders UK.
Sony Will Sell Wireless E-Reader for $399
Sony unveiled its first-ever wireless e-reading device at a press conference held at the New York Public Library Tuesday morning. The seven-inch touchscreen Sony Daily Edition will be priced at $399, work on AT&T’s 3G network, and will be available by Christmas. In addition to the devices (they also officially confirmed the $199 and $299 next-generation e-readers), Sony also announced several other initiatives, including a partnership with libraries that will let readers rent digitized books from their local library for free by downloading available e-books for 21 days, an update of the Sony Reader Ebook Library Software 3.0 for both […]
Ted Kennedy Dies at 77
Senator Ted Kennedy died at his home in Hyannis Port last night after a battle with brain cancer. He was 77 years old. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” his family said in a statement. Kennedy’s memoir True Compass, co-written with Ron Powers, will be published by Twelve on September 14, with a limited, leather-bound edition to come later in the month. “We are deeply saddened by today’s news,” Twelve publisher Jonathan Karp said in a […]
Speakers Bureaus Beef Up Publishers' Profit
Just five years ago it was almost unheard of for a publisher to have an in-house speakers bureau. Now all of the Big Six houses – Hachette was the last holdout, but they partnered with the Greater Talent Network to form a speakers bureau in May. And Publishing Perspectives discovers they are “turning out to be surprisingly recession-resilient” what with publishers and authors splitting speaking fees between $5000 and $20,000. “representing a welcome source of found money,” even in the midst of an economic downturn. Ellis Trevor, who runs Macmillan Speakers, looks beyond the fees and points to bureaus acting […]
Book Proposals: McGinniss on Palin; Usain Bolt Biography
Now a client of Dave Larabell of the David Black Agency (after leaving behind David Vigliano, Sterling Lord, Dennis Holahan and Mort Janklow), Joe McGinniss hopes to turn his cover story on Sarah Palin for the now-defunct Portfolio magazine into a book.NYO Representatives for Usain Bolt, world-record holder and Olympic Champion in the 100m and 200m sprints, are in talks with unnamed publishers about a possible biography.AP