J.K. Rowling will add screenwriter to her credits, adapting her short Harry Potter-related book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for Warner Bros. in an “expanded creative partnership.” The studio came to Rowling with the concept and “I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult…. As I considered Warners’ proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film to Warner Bros.” She underscores in the announcement, “I always […]
Authors
Harper Lee Copyright Lawsuit Officially Dismissed
As promised last week by Samuel Pinkus’s defense lawyer, Harper Lee’s copyright lawsuit against him was officially dismissed Wednesday afternoon. (The dismissal included the associated companies Veritas Media, Keystone Literary, and Philologus Procurator.) Each side will bear the cost of their own attorney fees. Gloria Phares, representing Harper Lee, had not yet returned our request for comment. Pinkus’s attorney Vincent Carissimi had said last week that both sides “reached a mutually satisfactory resolution.”
Judge Rules Lance Armstrong’s Books Are Protected Speech; Rejects False Advertising Claims
A month after holding a hearing on a proposed class action lawsuit against Lance Armstrong for making false statements in his books IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE and EVERY SECOND COUNTS, California Federal court Judge Morrison England threw out most of the suit. Siding with Armstrong and his respective publishers Putnam and Crown (each defended separately, though now part of the same parent company), he wrote: “The Court concludes, despite plaintiffs’ allegations that the Armstrong books contained false and misleading statements, that the content of the books is afforded full First Amendment protection,” England wrote in his 39-page ruling, issued […]
People, Etc.
Crown is designating specialized vertical marketing teams for the imprints that comprise Crown Archetype, to create “even more focused, specialized teams with expertise within our respective core categories.” Meredith McGinnis has been promoted to director of marketing for Harmony Books, focused on health, wellness, spirituality, and self-improvement, with marketing manager Christina Foxley working only on Harmony titles. Julie Cepler moves over to serve as director of marketing for Archetype, Crown Forum, and Three Rivers Press, while Tommy Cabrera is promoted to marketing associate for those imprints. VP, director of marketing and publicity for Crown Business Tara Gilbride will continue in […]
Pinkus’s Lawyer Says Harper Lee Suit Is Settled
Harper Lee’s copyright lawsuit against her former agent Sam Pinkus appears to be reaching an end. Pinkus’s lawyer Vincent Carissimi told the NY Daily News late last week that both sides “have reached a mutually satisfactory resolution” and that “all the concerns have been addressed.” In papers filed in federal court last Thursday, Lee dismissed her claims against co-defendants Lee Ann Winick and Gerald Posner, with each side bearing its own legal costs. Carissimi told the Daily News “we have reached a settlement” and indicated that final papers would be filed soon to dismiss the entire case — though such […]
Briefs: Doctorow, Angelou Get Lifetime Achievement Awards; Fall Book Picks from USA TODAY, Daily Beast
The National Book Foundation has awarded its 2013 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to E. L. Doctorow and its 2013 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community to Maya Angelou. Both will receive their honors at the National Book Awards on November 20. Both USA Today and the Daily Beast offer their fall book picks (30 and 21 books, respectively). Books making both lists include: BLEEDING EDGE, Thomas Pynchon THE LOWLAND, Jhumpa Lahiri ONE SUMMER: America 1927, Bill Bryson THE GOLDFINCH, Donna Tartt THE MOST OF NORA EPHRON, Nora Ephron DOUBLE DOWN, Mark Halperin & […]