The old saw of authors “buying” their way onto bestseller lists through carefully timed bulk orders gets a fresh twist in Friday’s WSJ, which reports on the San Diego-based company ResultSource. The marketing firm, according to the paper, charges authors “thousands of dollars for its services” to buy copies of the authors’ own books–mostly as pre-orders–to boost opening week sales (and many of those copies are then returned). The service is particularly popular for business book authors, who can monetize the “bestseller” credit (even when it’s a single week on the list) for years at speaking engagements and other lucrative […]
Authors
LA Times Book Prize Finalists, and More Awards
The Los Angeles Times Book Prize announced finalists in ten categories, with winners to be awarded at a ceremony at USC campus on Friday, April 19. Margaret Atwood will receive the Innovator’s Award while Kevin Starr will receive the Kirsch Award. Finalists, who share a fair amount overlap with our Best of the Best of 2012 lists for fiction and nonfiction, include: Fiction Jami Attenberg, The Middlesteins: A Novel (Grand Central) Michael Chabon, Telegraph Avenue (Harper) Ben Fountain, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (Ecco) Lauren Groff, Arcadia (Voice/Hyperion) Lydia Millet, Magnificence (Norton) The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction David […]
People, Etc.
Grand Central’s romance imprint Forever and their companion digital imprint Forever Yours will expand to publish 120 titles in 2013 and more than 190 titles in 2013 — up from 64 titles in 2012 — as part of a “major initiative” celebrating the imprint’s 10th anniversary. Forever will also add editorial and marketing staff. Founding editor of the imprint and vp, digital and paperback publisher Beth de Guzman said of the expansion: “From the beginning, Forever has always been dedicated to publishing the highest quality romance books. With the romance audience more robust and diverse than at any other time, […]
People, Etc.
Lonely Planet recently announced a number of promotions and new hires. Leslie Davisson has been promoted to director, trade channel marketing and national accounts, while Gerilyn Attebery moves up to senior design manager and Rana Freedman has been promoted to senior manager, consumer marketing and communications. Jennifer Pentes has joined as production lead overseeing the new US-based Client Solutions delivery team. Previously she was assistant director, creative services and marketing, at Sundance Institute. Rachel Berg has been named content producer, previously principal of editorial & promotional content at Travelocity. Finally, Clare Chadwick has moved from Lonely Planet’s Melbourne office to […]
People, Etc.
Alexis Gargagliano has left Scribner after more than 11 years and will work as a freelance editor. She has launched a new website and may be reached at alexisgargagliano@gmail.com. Olga Filina has joined The Rights Factory as an associate agent. She was a literary assistant at The Cooke Agency (after spending more than a decade as a sales manager at national and indie bookstores). To correct Friday’s personnel announcement, Tara Parsons is moving over to Mira as executive editor from HQN and Luna, where she held the same position. Haruki Murakami‘s Japanese publisher says that his next novel will be […]
People
At Harlequin, Mira executive editor Valerie Gray will retire at the end of March after more than 13 years with the company. As a result, Tara Parsons will move into the role in addition to her duties as executive editor for HQN and Luna. Also at Mira, Nicole Brebner has been promoted to senior editor, while both Leonore Waldrip and Michelle Venditti move up to assistant editor (Waldrip will also work on HQN titles.) In addition, Susan Swinwood has been promoted to executive editor, HQN and Luna, while Margo Lipschultz moves up to senior editor. Finally, Emily Martin has been […]