Today’s Amazon news spans a wide gamut. Yesterday, the company quickly completed their largest debt offering ever, raising $16 billion in seven tranches — ranging from three-year to 40-year notes — with “strong demand” from investors rewarding the company. They are reported to have paid approximately 90 basis points (o.9%) above what the US government pays to borrow money on the 10-year issue. The Whole Foods purchase will cost $13.7 billion, so analysts infer that Amazon is preparing itself for additional acquisitions and/or continued aggressive investment in its buildout. The company also has over $21 billion in cash. (As readers […]
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Ryan Doherty will be join Celadon Books, Macmillan’s new trade book division, as executive editor starting September 12. He has been vice president of literary development at Sony Pictures Entertainment (after a number of years as an editor at Ballantine). Celadon Books co-publishers Jamie Raab and Deb Futter say: “Ryan’s ability to identify high quality works of fiction and nonfiction that have strong commercial potential and his deep knowledge of the overall literary market are perfectly aligned with the mission of Celadon Books.” At William Morrow, Shelby Meizlik has been promoted to the new role of vp, special events and creative strategies; Kelly […]
Amazon Requires Faster Delivery From Third-Party Booksellers
Starting August 31, Amazon will require third-party sellers of books, CDs and DVDs in the continental US to deliver their products to customers more quickly, within four to eight days. (The window has been from four to 14 days.) The new guidelines were announced in an email to sellers, explaining that “Customers are more likely to purchase products that have a faster estimated delivery time at checkout.” Sellers who do not meet guidelines risk bad reviews, reduced visibility, and even removal. The change will likely mean higher costs for sellers, many of whom rely on the post office’s cheaper, slower media mail […]
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At Abrams Children’s, Tessa Meischeid has joined in the new role of associate publicist. Previously, she was assistant editor at HarperCollins Children’s. Lora Grisafi has joined as trade marketing designer. Previously, she designed marketing materials for Random House Children’s. Mark Lee has joined the National Book Foundation as communications and marketing manager. He was associate publicist at Doubleday. Crown Publishing Group announced a number of promotions in the art department. Elizabeth Rendfleisch has been promoted to vice president and director of interior design; Jessie Bright has been promoted to art director; Michael Morris has been promoted to senior designer; and Alane Gianetti and […]
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Brianna Linden has been promoted to associate publicist for Viking and Penguin publicity. Chris Myers, former senior vice president and managing director at Peter Lang Publishing, will launch a new academic publishing house Myers Education Press. The company will specialize in books, e-books and digital content centered on education. John von Knorring, president and publisher of higher education publisher Stylus Publishing, will be his partner in the venture. Renowned editor Judith Jones, 93, died today at her summer home in Walden, VT, from complications of Alzheimer’s, her step-daughter told the Washington Post, which has a lengthy profile. Best-known for publishing cookbook authors […]
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At Sourcebooks, Stephanie Lewis has been promoted to business data manager; Drew French has been promoted to sales data associate. Nick Lindsay has been promoted to director of journals and open access for MIT Press. Sarah Baline will join Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press as events coordinator starting August 14. Most recently, she was events coordinator for East City Books in Washington, D.C. At Random House Children’s, Shay Brown has been promoted to production coordinator and Alice Rahaeuser has been promoted to production supervisor. At Ingram Content Group: Tricia Racke Bengel has joined as library sales and services manager for Ingram Library Services (she was […]