Andrew Wylie has evidently resolved the digital rights dispute with French publishers, which led to an open letter sharply critical of the agent’s practices of keeping e-rights (without mentioning Wylie by name.) “The story is ancient history. It is all solved. We have spoken to the French publishers involved,” Wylie told The Bookseller. Flammarion chief executive Teresa Cremisi said: “Everything will be resolved. It was like a summer fever–amazing. But he has now abandoned his project and that is a good thing.” The Bookseller In other e-rights news, agent Andrew Nurnberg voiced his concern that some American publishers may try […]
Agency News
French Publishers Revolt Against Wylie’s E-Business Practices
Once Andrew Wylie and Random House settled their summertime differences over who controlled the e-rights to select backlist titles, all had been quiet on the Odyssey Editions front – or so it seems. But an open letter published in today’s Bookseller Daily indicates the French Publishers Association (SNE) is still very unhappy with Wylie for setting up shop as a digital publisher, and that at least four publishers – including Gallimard, which represents about 50% of Wylie’s rights business in the country – stopped doing business with the agency starting in July. The letter, which includes 50 signatories such as […]
People, Etc.: Wiley Retiring, Deneen Launches Macmillan Films, CAA Sells Stake and More
Deborah Wiley will retire from her position as svp, corporate communications of John Wiley & Sons at the end of the year, though she will continue to serve as chairman of the Wiley Foundation. Susan Spilka will succeed her as vp, corporate communications on January 1, 2011. CEO William Pesce, also retiring soon, says in the announcement: “I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Deborah and to acknowledge her many contributions during her 42 years at the Company. She has diligently served Wiley in a wide variety of business, corporate, and governance roles, working her […]
People, Etc.: Reichl Joins Random House As Editor-at-Large, and More
Former Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl is joining Random House as an editor-at-large (and has sold three books to the house, to be edited by Susan Kamil). Noting that she “published a wide variety of writers who explored every aspect of food, from recipes to politics to culture” at Gourmet, the announcement says she will continue to acquire and edit “established and debuting authors who are expanding our food horizons.” At HarperCollins, Christine Maddalena has been promoted to senior publicist. Founder of Questia Media Troy Williams has joined Macmillan in the new position of vp and general manager, new ventures, […]
Agency News: Victor Launches Speakers Bureau, and More
Agent Ed Victor is launch the Ed Victor Speakers Bureau. It will be run by the agency’s Charlie Campbell, with Victor’s son Ryan Victor also participating. Victor calls it “one of those ideas that you have, and wish you had had sooner.” He tells London’s Evening Standard “There’s a great appetite from audiences to engage with authors and breathe the same air.” The paper says the new venture will book such well-known people as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Rupert Everett, and Tina Brown. Victor tells us he has already signed to represent people who are not clients of the Ed […]
People, Etc.
Margaret Raymo has elected to take the new position of senior executive editor, at Houghton Mifflin Children’s, a “purely editorial role” that will let her focus on discovering and working with authors and illustrators. Raymo says “I’m very happy to be able to put all my energy back into creating books.” As a result, Mary Wilcox has been promoted to vp, editorial director for Houghton Mifflin Children’s, while continuing as editorial director of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s. Abrams has hired Lindy Humphreys for the new position of director, digital assets and publishing technology, to “oversee our digital initiatives and help […]