Literati Bookstore opened in downtown Ann Arbor on Sunday. Richard and Lisa Howorth’s Square Books in Oxford, Miss has been selected as PW’s bookstore of the year. And Bruce Joshua Miller of Miller Trade Book Marketing was named their rep of the year, after he led efforts to save the University of Missouri Press. AfterWords Books in Edwardsville, IL is using crowdfunding to raise enough money to get their new smaller store up to building code. As previously announced, the flagship Nicholas Hoare bookstore closed in Toronto on Monday. Hoare, 70, who is retiring, said: “The sendoff as sendoffs go […]
Bookstores
The Price of Goodreads
The details of Amazon’s planned purchase of Goodreads were not revealed officially (though they are likely to be disclosed in a quarterly SEC filing after the deal closes). For now the most credible information comes from multiple WSJ reporters. First Kara Swisher reported on Friday that “Amazon paid about $150 million…but that number could close in on $200 million, if certain performance metrics are met…. I am still trying to determine how much of the deal was cash — most of it, said sources — and how much was stock.” Then two more WSJ reporters posted that “Amazon will pay […]
Briefs: Changing Hands To Open Second Location in Phoenix; NYS Court Affirms That Amazon Must Pay Sales Tax
Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ has finalized plans to open a second store in Phoenix in early November, co-owner Gayle Shanks said on the store’s website. The new location has been in the works since last year, according to Phoenix Business Journal, and the bookstore will partner with Phoenix-based real estate firm Venue Projects (“whose mission is to create inspiring places that serve and celebrate nature while promoting community”), the Beckett’s Table restaurant restaurant group, and a company focused on meeting and event space for mobile professionals to redevelop the space, formerly occupied by a restaurant. They are working […]
People, Etc.
At Counterpoint, Charlie Winton will relinquish his role as publisher, while remaining as ceo and executive editor-at-large. Rolph Blythe will take over as publisher of Counterpoint/Soft Skull, starting May 1. But editorial director Jack Shoemaker and business manager Kelli Adams will continue to report to Winton. In the release Winton says that “Counterpoint/Soft Skull is coming off our best year ever in 2012 with net revenues increasing over 30 percent” and “the company is well positioned for me to make this transition away from day to day operations.” He adds, “I think this change will allow me to stay creatively […]
BN’s Big Ask Is Back In the News
The standoff over terms between Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster–which agents, authors and some at the publisher itself say have resulted in significantly reduced orders and display of S&S books in the bookseller’s stores since January–was given national attention by both the WSJ and the NYT at the end of last week. (PW had reported briefly on the dispute in late January.) Those reduced sales have hit authors large and small, including bestselling author Jodi Picoult. Her agent Laura Gross confirmed to the NYT that Barnes & Noble has “taken limited orders, limited placement, and did not do […]
Bookselling: Stores in GA and MA Close, As Elliott Celebrates 40 Years
Scott’s Bookstore in Newnan, GA will close this month after more than 36 years in business as owner Earlene Scott, 76, retires. “I’m going to miss my customers and I’m going to miss my books,” she said. “Because I don’t know where I’m going to buy my books now.” She said the business has remained solid; “It was just age and time.” After a one-year trial, HugoBooks closed their Spirit of ’76 Squared bookstore in Swampscott, MA, according to a notice on the door. The store had filled about half of the space formerly filled by a Borders Express. The […]