Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group resigned his membership in the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives) earlier this month, after a report from the organization’s ethics committee was sent to Gottlieb and the organization’s board. His resignation was announced to AAR members in an email from president Gail Hochman, who distributed the committee report on behalf of the board “because we believe [the membership] should be apprised of developments such as these and of our interpretation of this provision of our Canon [of Ethics].” Given Gottlieb’s resignation, Hochman wrote, “the AAR will no longer directly have the ability to discipline […]
Agency News
People, Etc.
MacGregor Literary, run by Chip MacGregor, now operates as MacGregor & Luedeke. Amanda Luedeke, who has worked with MacGregor for ten years, becomes a partner in the agency. Barnes & Noble filed a general release and waiver with the SEC outlining the termination terms for retiring chief digital officer Fred Argir. (who receives cash severance of $500,000 over the next year, along with other benefits). Bookselling Hudson Group has won the contract for the expanded and “reimagined” Terminal B at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which will open in stages beginning this fall. That contract includes partnering with New York bookstore McNally Jackson, […]
Treasury Department Proposals Could Give High-Earning Authors, Agents Benefit of New Tax Cut for Businesses
The Treasury Department released proposed regulations to clarify and codify how the big tax cut (aka the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) applies to owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts, and S corporations. By early interpretations, high-earning authors would qualify for the new 20 percent deduction of qualified business income, and it appears as if literary agents would be eligible as well. (Two important caveats: These rules are still proposals, they are not final yet; and everyone will need to examine their own situation with their own tax professional.) As the NYT notes, it “probably means a windfall for authors […]
Briefs: UTA Sells Stake; Clinton and Patterson Sales Milestone; NEH Book Grants
In the capital-raising arms race among the big Hollywood talent agencies — which have grown into entertainment conglomerates themselves — United Talent Agency sold a minority stake to Investcorp and PSP Investments. Deadline and Variety say they sold approximately 40 percent of the agency, for an estimated $200 million. (When the search for investors was initiated earlier this year, Deadline said UTA has revenues of over $325 million a year, with profit of $50 million.) Some proceeds will be spread among employees throughout the agency, while a portion will go to “accelerate” their growth and “enhance UTA’s services.” The agency has more than […]
People, Etc.
Priyanka Krishnan, formerly at Harper Voyager, has joined Orbit as editor. Bradley Englert has been promoted to editor. At Penguin Random House Canada, Beth Lockley is promoted to the new position of vp, marketing and communications, overseeing a combined marketing and publicity team and reporting to chief operating officer Robert Wheaton. Longtime executive Tracey Turriff, who has been vp, publicity and svp, corporate communications, is leaving as a result, after 22 years with the company. (Both Lockley and Turriff had once reported to now-retired ceo Brad Martin.) Josh Glover has been promoted to director, publicity. The August pick for the PBS […]
Agent Danielle Smith Accused of Fraud, Lupine Grove Creative Closes
Children’s book literary agent and packager Danielle Smith, founder of Lupine Grove Creative, has reportedly been accused of fraudulent deals with her clients and she has closed her agency. In a post to a private Facebook group (also then shared on Twitter) author Heidi Heilig wrote that “it was discovered a couple of days ago that [Smith] forged offer letters to her clients (and counselled her clients not to take them) (i do not know what the end goal was).” Helig says that Smith “has resigned as an agent, and in addition she was fired from Walden Pond Press where she […]