Barnes & Noble is trying again with a program to put some selection and promotional muscle around a particular title (remember Barnes & Noble Recommends?). The new initiative adopts the moniker of the moment, the Barnes & Noble Book Club, and the first selection is Meg Wolitzer‘s highly-touted THE FEMALE PERSUASION, publishing April 3. BN’s exclusive edition will include an essay by the author and a reading group guide. The first of their “seasonal” in-store book club nights is scheduled for May 2, at 6 PM local time at stores nationwide. Attendees will receive “one free regular, tall, hot or iced […]
Bookstores
Briefs
Bookselling Seattle’s Elliott Bay Book Company will open a location at Sea-Tac Airport in 2019 in association with the Hudson Group. Located on Concourse C, the store will feature Northwest authors, as well as staff picks, bestsellers, and new releases. Children’s bookstore The Brain Lair will open in South Bend Indiana in November. Owner Kathy Burnette plans to “look to smaller publishers with diverse lists, like Lee & Low Books and Akashic Books, as well as larger publishers that have diversity-specific imprints.” In addition to titles for young people, the store will carry select adult titles and some gifts. Awards The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism […]
Barnes & Noble Cutting Staff On Sales Decline
On Monday Barnes & Noble started layoffs of “lead cashiers, digital leads and other experienced workers in a company-wide clearing,” CNBC reported that it had learned from multiple sources. “The news came abruptly for many workers who showed up Monday morning at various Barnes & Noble locations to be notified that they no longer had a job, the people said.” In the last conference call with investors, Barnes & Noble ceo Demos Parneros claimed the company was refocusing on selling books and valuing the role of staff in their stores: “Customers come not only to browse and discover but to interact […]
People: Mantel Named Barnes & Noble CMO
Timothy Mantel has joined Barnes & Noble as chief merchandising officer, reporting to ceo Demos Parneros. He was cmo for GNC, and prior to he was svp, food, household essentials and food service. Mantel fills the position vacated when Mary Amicucci was dismissed in September. Parnernos said of Mantel in the announcement: “His deep knowledge of retail and proven track record are exactly what we need to invigorate our merchandising strategy and grow our business. He will be a great addition to our management team.” Naomi Davis and Amanda Jain have both joined Bookends Literary Agency as agents. Previously both […]
People, Etc.: Enderlin Is Sole SMP Publisher As Richardson Becomes Chair
Building on the transition from mid-2016, Jen Enderlin becomes the sole publisher at St. Martin’s Press and will have all of the division’s publishing units reporting to her. Enderlin will report to Don Weisberg, as SMP president Sally Richardson takes the new role of chairman, also reporting to Weisberg. He writes: “Sally Richardson has been at SMP for 48 years, and has come to represent all that is good about the company. In her new job, Sally will help chart the future for St. Martin’s Press. She will continue to read and buy books and will bring her vast experience […]
People, Etc.
At Ballantine Bantam Dell, Emily Hartley and Elana Seplow-Jolley have both been promoted to associate editor. Leonicka Valcius has joined the Transatlantic Agency as assistant agent. Valcius was most recently a title analyst at Penguin Random House Canada. Suzanne Rafer, executive editor and director of cookbook publishing at Workman Publishing, retired on February 2 after almost 44 years with the company. Executive chair and president of Workman Publishing Carolan Workman said, “Workman without Suzanne is unimaginable…. It’s impossible to overstate how much she’s contributed to this company. Always with good nature and humor and love.” Obituary Former longtime Barnes & Noble director of merchandising Bob Wietrak, 69, […]