Stephanie Smirnov has joined Scholastic as evp, head of global corporate communications, reporting jointly to chairman, president, and ceo Richard Robinson and chief strategy officer Iole Lucchese. Smirnov was previously managing director, brand practice at Edelman New York and ceo for the US region of DeVries Global. The Authors Guild elected Monique Truong, author of The Book of Salt and Bitter in the Mouth, as vice president. D.T. Max, author of Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story, has joined the governing council as a member. Chelsea Handler and Daniel Novack have each been named senior counsel for Penguin Random House. Publisher […]
Bookstores
People, Etc.
Tina Jordan has left her position as vice president of AAP after 12 years, to “temporarily explore her lifelong passion of becoming a professional surfer.” BookEnds Literary has launched a children’s division, BookEnds, Jr. Miles Franklin Award-winning crime writer (and Gold Dagger honoree) Peter Temple, 71, died on Thursday of cancer. Forthcoming Candlewick will publish two-time Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo‘s eighth middle-grade novel, LOUISIANA’S WAY, returning to the world of Raymie Nightingale, globally on October 2, 2018. Awards The Booker International Prize announced its 13-book longlist, with the shortlist to be announced on April 12 and the winner to […]
Bookselling: Barnes & Noble Tries A Book Club, Amazon Books for Colorado
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 […]
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 […]