Julie Trelstad has joined Writers House as director, digital rights. Previously she was an independent consultant and founder of Plain White Press. At Harlequin, Emer Flounders has been named publicity manager, fiction. Previously he was a senior publicist at Simon & Schuster’s adult trade imprint. In addition, Lauren Jackson recently joined as associate publicist. Previously she was a publicity assistant at Tarcher. At eBound Canada, Krystyna Ross has been appointed Interim chief executive officer, replacing Robert Hayashi who left the organization earlier in the year. Most recently an independent publishing consultant, Ross has held executive positions with McClelland & Stewart […]
Bookstores
BN Shares Fall 17 Percent, Then Recover Slightly
Barnes & Noble stock fell more than 17 percent on Tuesday after their poor earnings report, falling roughly $3.20 a share to close at $15.61. But the stock has bounced back a little this morning, moving back over $16 a share as part of a general market rally. One thing missing from yesterday’s release and investor discussion was any characterization of Nook’s share of the ebook market. In written testimony offered as part of the recently Apple ebook pricing trial, one prosecution expert witness is said to have concluded from retailer-supplied data that in February 2013 that Barnes & Noble’s […]
Indigo’s Plans Include In-Store Boutiques, Apple Products, and International Expansion
Canada’s dominant bookseller Indigo announced a variety of new plans. They will redesign many of their superstores to feature a variety of “store within a store” boutiques, such as Indigo Kids, Indigo Tech and Indigo Home. In 2014, they will begin selling Apple products in 40 of their stores. More vaguely still — but provocative — cheif executive Heather Reisman said they have plans to open bookstores outside of Canada in 2 years, “though she declined to say which markets the retailer is considering.” Similarly to Barnes & Noble (though Indigo headed in this direction earlier), “the bookseller has been […]
Barnes & Noble Has Big Declines At Retail Stores and Nook; Takes $151 Million Charge and Will “Partner” On Color Tablets
Barnes & Noble reported another poor quarter to end fiscal 2013: Sales of $1.28 billion were down 7.4 percent from $1.38 billion a year ago, and the net loss doubled to $118.6 million, or $2.11 per share. Both results were far worse than analysts had forecast (as we covered yesterday). Results “were adversely impacted by Nook inventory charges”–they took $133 million in inventory charges in the fourth quarter on device markdowns and a goodwill impairment charge of $18.3 million in Nook selling and administrative expenses “as recurring losses have led to revisions in its strategic plans.” Even with the discounting, the […]
Looking to Barnes & Noble’s Report
Barnes & Noble reports fourth quarter and full fiscal year earnings on Tuesday morning before the market opens. Analysts have low expectations, looking for sales to fall about 4 percent to $1.33 billion, and predicting another sizable loss of 99 cents per share. The company’s stock has fallen back to earth since the error-plagued TechCrunch report on documents showing possible interest in a Microsoft buyout of Nook–which sent shares up to more than $23 a share in May. (It has given up almost all of those gains, now back under $19 a share–falling again first thing this morning, along with […]
People, Etc.
Ira Silverberg will leave the National Endowment of the Arts, where he has been director of literature since October 2011, on July 11 and return to New York City, saying in a statement “the demands of family are such that I must return.” Literature program officer Amy Stolls has been appointed acting director of literature until a permanent hire is in place. At the Random House Speakers Bureau, Caitlin McCaskey has joined as agent direct. Previously she worked at the HarperCollins Speakers Bureau. In addition, Jayme Boucher has been promoted to senior agent. Lynda Zuber Sassi will rejoin Chronicle Books […]