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 […]
Bookstores
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 […]
Bookselling: Porter Square Books Seeks New Owner; Michael Vick Signings Cancelled After Threats of Violence
Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA has been put up for sale after more than nine years in business, as its owners are looking to retire. “We’ve really been able to establish Porter Square Books as a vital community institution,” bookstore president Carol Stoltz told WickedLocal. “We have embraced e-books, author events, sidelines and even a café — all things a successful book store needs to have in the 21st century.” Porter Square added they have allocated “a significant timeframe to find just the right next owner of the store.” At least three scheduled appearances at Barnes & Noble stores […]
People, Distribution, Etc.
Little, Brown Children’s publisher Megan Tingley has been made executive vice president. At Grand Central, associate publisher Emi Battaglia has been named vp, marketing director in tandem with her current position, which she has held for the past eight years. President and publisher Jamie Raab writes, “it reflects Emi’s expanding role as chief strategist of our marketing efforts.” In addition, associate publisher at Twelve Brian McLendon will take on duties as associate publisher for Grand Central, “working hand in glove with Emi to orchestrate our marketing efforts and implement marketing plans perfectly tailored to the needs of our books, authors […]
BN Dismissed Palo Alto Executive
In Barnes & Noble’s quarterly SEC filings, the company included a severance agreement with executive vice president, Operations and Customer Service, Dan Gilbert, who was terminated effective February 1. Gilbert was based in their Palto Alto, CA office. The company has not announced a replacement for Gilbert, and told us in response to a query that “his responsibilities have been divided among other executives.” Hired in 2010 from Cisco, he reported directly to ceo William Lynch and was responsible for “supply and demand planning, sourcing, manufacturing, operations, distribution and logistics related to digital devices including management of the Digital Products Operations […]
Bookselling: Book Stall Finds Owner
Roberta Rubin, owner of the Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, has completed the “exit strategy” she began formulating last May. After telling the Chicago Tribune in November that she was “in conversations with three prospective buyers,” PW reports that Stephanie Hochschild has signed a letter of intent to take over the store on June 1. As with many other bookstore sales, Rubin was assisted by Paz & Associates. Separately, Indianapolis-area store Mudsocks will close in early April after five years in business. Owner Cindy Rushton says, “Every year we lose less money, but I’m still losing money. People can go […]