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…
Agency News
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…
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…
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,…
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…
People: Smith Exits Bonnier Zaffre; Transatlantic Agency Expands into US
Mark Smith is stepping down as ceo of Bonnier Zaffre at the end of July and has sold his equity stake. Smith has been with the company since 2014. While Bonnier looks for a successor, executive director of adult publishing Kate Parkin, executive director of children’s publishing Jane Harris, and executive director of sales and marketing James…