Sarah Odedina has resigned from her job as children’s publisher at Oneworld after seven months, the Bookseller reports. She tells the magazine she was “not given the support or trust that would be essential to build a successful list.” Oneworld publisher Juliet Mabey says, “We were very disappointed to hear that Sarah has decided to leave after 7 months at the helm of Rock the Boat [the children’s and YA imprint], but we wish her all the best with her new magazine venture, and we will be looking for a new children’s editor in the new year.” Matt Baldacci will […]
Shareholders Approve Plan to Take Books-A-Million Private
As expected, Books-A-Million shareholders approved the Anderson family’s plan to take the company private in a deal worth $3.25 a share. The transaction is set to close on Thursday, December 10, and, according to BAMM’s announcement, the merger agreement was adopted by the stockholders representing approximately 88.3 percent of the aggregate voting power of outstanding common stock, as well as by 66.3 percent of shareholders not affiliated with the Anderson family, “thus satisfying the ‘majority of the minority’ stockholder approval condition in the merger agreement.” In their most recent quarterly filing, posted last month, Books-A-Million reported third quarter sales of […]
Wiley Revenue Decline Continues in Q2
Wiley reported second quarter sales for the period ending October 31, with sales falling 5 percent to $433 million (down $44 million) on currency exchange. Adjusted operating income of $64 million was down 13 percent for the quarter, and net income was down $8 million (or 11 percent) to $45.9 million. In the professional development division, which includes their remaining trade books, revenue dropped 3 percent overall to $99.2 million. Book sales were down 6 percent, however, with print book sales of $49.2 million declining 4 percent, and digital book sales of $11.9 million were down 14 percent. For the rest of fiscal […]
People
Founder and ceo of Chicago Review Press Curt Matthews announced he will retire from day-to-day management of the company, which is the parent company of Chicago Review Press Books, Triumph Books, and Independent Publishers Group, at the end of the year. Joe Matthews, currently coo of IPG, will take over as ceo in January, while Matthews will remain as board chairman and keep an office at company headquarters to insure a smooth management transition. Matthews, who founded CRP Inc. in 1973, said in the announcement: “It has been a wild ride. The publication of one book turned into a company that […]
People: Archer Named President of HMH Trade
Ellen Archer has been hired as president of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Publishing, reporting to ceo Linda Zecher, as of December 7. She takes over from Gary Gentel, “who will retire in 2016.” Archer will be “based primarily” in the New York office, but will also spend time in the company’s Boston headquarters. Archer was president and publisher of Hyperion for 5 years, prior to its sale to Hachette Book Group. Zecher says in the announcement, “For almost a decade, Gary Gentel has led HMH Trade Publishing, spearheading our transition into new media and channels, while building our legacy of award-winning […]
Oprah Winfrey Will Launch New Imprint at Flatiron Books With Memoir THE LIFE YOU WANT
Flatiron Books will publish Oprah Winfrey’s forthcoming memoir THE LIFE YOU WANT in January 2017, the lead title in Winfrey’s as-yet-unnamed book imprint, expected to include several non-fiction titles per year chosen personally by Oprah. The book, which will be published simultaneously by Pan Macmillan in the UK, Australia, South Africa and India, promises to reveal “never-before told stories from her own experience and shines a light on how anyone can put their life on a new trajectory.” Winfrey said in the announcement: “All of my experiences, even the painful ones, have been there to teach me something about life. […]