Weinstein Books, which has published a modest output since its founding in 2007 while the larger would-be Weinstein empire has run through its cash, is switching from an independent imprint to a joint venture with Perseus Books as of December 1. The model follows the deal recently struck between Perseus and the Weinstein’s erstwhile partner Tina Brown, now at The Beast. The two companies will “jointly develop new book ideas and Perseus will be responsible for all JV staff and for executing all core-publishing activities.” Perseus will also take over distribution of the Weinstein Books backlist. Weinstein Books publisher Judy […]
Distribution
Announcements: Hefty Printing for Wimpy Kid, and More
Abrams announced a four-million-copy laydown for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days on Monday, October 12. And the publisher reports “more than 300,000 reservations” of copies. Separately, Hachette Book Group is expanding their distribution relationship with Chronicle Books (and Chronicle’s own roster of distribution clients) to include sales and distribution immediately in Latin America; and starting January 1 in the Middle East and Caribbean. In personnel news, Quill & Quire reported that Raincoast Books founder and ceo Allan MacDougall, 62, has stepped down. VP and business manager John Sawyer, “who had been handling most of the day-to-day operations for […]
Distribution News
Microsoft Press announced a “strategic relationship” with O’Reilly Media under which O’Reilly will distribute Microsoft’s titles in the North America (with more territories to come) and they will jointly develop new titles for the Microsoft line. Tim O’Reilly says on the company’s Radar blog, “that they chose to work with us is a testament to three advantages we bring to the business: O’Reilly is more than a book publisher. We are an advocate, a connector, and a community builder…. O’Reilly plays a unique role in the technology ecosystem…. O’Reilly has been a pioneer in the new world of ebooks.” In […]
Shortlists and More
The FT/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year shortlist was announced, comprising: Lords of Finance, by Liaquat AhamedGood Value, by Stephen GreenImagining India, by Nandan NilekaniThe Match King, by Frank PartnoyAnimal Spirits, by George Akerlof and Robert ShillerIn Fed We Trust, by David Wessel The winner will be named October 29. And the Center for Fiction (formerly the Mercantile Center) announced the shortlist for their first novel prize (formerly the John Sargent Sr. prize): American Rust, by Philipp MeyerThe Cradle, by Patrick SomervilleTinkers, by Paul HardingThe Vagrants, by Yiyun LinWoodsburner, by John Pipkin Also, nature-reference publisher Waterford Press will move […]
Announcements: Andrews McMeel Gives Up Sales Force; Hachette In French Joint Venture with Lightning Source
Marking the end of an era, Andrews McMeel Publishing is relinquishing its sales force of independent rep groups and turning trade sales over to Simon & Schuster as of January 2010, which has handled physical distribution for AMP for almost a decade. President Hugh Andrews says in the announcement, “We have had a long and fruitful relationship with our independent commissioned sales representatives, which we appreciate. This transition reflects not only a changing bookselling environment, but also allows us to concentrate on a core strength for us: recognizing and celebrating remarkable creative talent, providing content, and delivering it to the […]
NBN Adds eBook and POD Capabilities
National Book Network is launching NBN Fusion, offering digital services including e-book distribution, file conversion, and print-on-demand and short-run digital printing. They will also provide sales representation for ebook publishers. The digital offerings are accompanied by a broader set of services that include print brokering, copyediting, composition, file conversion, proofreading, indexing and consultation. NBN president Rich Freese says in the announcement “NBN Fusion will redefine what book distribution means for modern publishers. Full-service distribution must now include handling finished books, printer files and e-books, as well as providing online marketing tools.” The package mimics in part services that Freese had […]