The Perseus Books Group’s digital distribution platform Constellation is adding a service offering targeted at the many literary agencies helping their authors epublish, called Argo Navis Author Services. After presentations to a small set agencies, Perseus is announcing that Janklow & Nesbit and Curtis Brown “are planning to make [the service] available to their clients.” Separately, co-head of publications at ICM Sloan Harris confirmed to Publishers Lunch that the agency is close to finalizing a deal to participate in Perseus’s initiative. “They are not going to be an exclusive destination for us,” Harris said, “but I expect that they will […]
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Hector Sierra has been promoted to general manager and svp for National Geographic’s book publishing group, responsible for overseeing business operations and global sales for all categories of National Geographic’s trade and digital books. He was chief operating officer for the division, having joined National Geographic in 2000. F+W Media group marketing director Kate Rados was one of two people honored as MinOnline’s marketers of the year. Robert Wheaton will join Random House Canada in the newly created position of vp, director, strategic business development, reporting to ceo Brad Martin. Wheaton was previously director of inventory management for Indigo Books […]
Constellation Pairs With Faber Factory In UK Joint Venture
The UK’s Faber and Faber has joined with the Perseus Books Group’s Constellation to form a UK joint venture focused on digital distribution for independent publishers. The new entity combines Faber’s e-distribution initiative Faber Factory–with 70 client publishers–with Constellation’s platform, to form Faber Factory Powered By Constellation. Faber ceo Stephen Page says in the announcement, “Faber Factory was conceived as an ambitious response to the enormous and liberating opportunity for independent publishers in the digital age. The power of Faber partnering with Perseus makes this ambition immediately achievable, globally and long term as together we can offer market-leading tools, service […]
Gail Kump Sues Eric Kampmann, Charging “Self-Dealing” And Seeking Dissolution of Midpoint Trade Books
Midpoint Trade Books co-founder Gail Kump filed suit on Wednesday against Midpoint ceo Eric Kampmann and Midpoint director and minority shareholder Christopher Bell in New York Supreme Court, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and other corporation law violations. Kump’s corporation Lily K. Inc. owns 24 percent of Midpoint’s shares, as does Bell. Kampmann & Co., also named in the suit, own 52 percent of the company. The suit charges that Kampmann “has engaged in a pattern of self-dealing, impropriety and malfeasance during the last six years that has damaged Midpoint.” It charges the Kampmann “stopped signing new […]
Briefs: JK Rowling Anthology Intro; USA Today Fall Books Preview; and More
JK Rowling will write the foreword to Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self, edited by Joseph Galliano (Atria) which will be released on October 25. In the foreword Rowling writes that she was touched by the letters’ “commonality … Nearly everyone who wrote, whether their letter is jolly or poignant, seems to have looked back on their younger selves with compassion.” A portion of the book’s proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. USA Today Speaking of USA Today, their Fall Books Preview highlights 31 titles, with special emphasis on upcoming, much-covered titles by Susan Orlean, Colson […]
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Grove Atlantic has hired Judy Hottensen, who will rejoin the company as associate publisher, beginning September 6. She spent the past six years at Weinstein Books, most recently as publisher, but was at Grove/Atlantic from 1992 through 2005. Hottensen fills the position vacated earlier this summer by Eric Price. He is pursuing an interest in the visual arts, but will continue to acquire and edit for Grove’s drama list and assist in various operational and financial matters. Elisabeth Schmitz has been promoted to VP, editorial director, and she and publicity director Deb Seager will both serve on Grove/Atlantic’s executive management committee, along […]