Self-published thriller writer John Locke, who sold more than a million copies of his Donovan Creed novels primarily via Amazon (helped in part by the 99 cent ebook price of each series title) has found a large publisher to back him on the print side. Starting in February 2012, Simon & Schuster will handle sales and distribution for the print editions of Locke’s books under the banner of John Locke Books. The deal will allow Locke’s novels – the eight books already released, as well as newer titles to come — to be more widely available in brick-and-mortar stores (including […]
Distribution
People, Etc.
The successors to Larry Kirshbaum’s former agency LJK Literary Management have formally launched their new entity, Einstein Thompson Agency. Susanna Einstein and Meg Thompson are co-directors of the new agency. They will take over representation of Kirshbaum’s clients, including Elizabeth Flock, Dorothea Benton Frank, Anita Hill, Steven James, James Kimmel, Kimberly Pauley, Austin Ratner, James Redfield, Jeremy Rifkin, Larkin Warren, and the estate of Donald E. Westlake. Sandy Hodgman has been promoted to director of foreign rights under the new banner, and Molly Reese has been promoted to associate agent. She will continue to assist Einstein and Thompson, oversee audio […]
Announcements: Cambridge UP Offers Digital Content Platform For Other Publishers, Cengage & Blackboard
Cambridge University Press will launch a new integrated ebook and digital content platform for other academic publishers, called University Publishing Online, in October. The new platform is based on the ‘Cambridge Books Online’ ebook delivery system, which offers access to thousands of front and backlist PDF titles in a fully searchable environment. Boydell & Brewer, Liverpool University Press, the Mathematical Association of America, and Foundation Books, based in India, are the first publishers to join the new site, with additional partners announced in the coming weeks. Cengage Learning is partnering with Blackboard in an attempt to streamline access to digital […]
People: Rowling on New Projects; Harris Closing Book on Sookie Stackhouse; and More
JK Rowling said in several interviews to coincide with Friday’s opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II film that she has written “quite a lot” of new material and has plans to publish it. (Previously she said she was working simultaneously on a political fairytale for children and a novel for adults.) “I think I always felt I didn’t want to publish again until the last film was out because Potter has been such a huge thing in my life. I’ve been writing hard ever since I finished writing Hallows, so I’ve got a lot of stuff […]
Bookselling: Aus/NZ Distributor Scribo Shuts Down; Fireside Books To Close; and More
Fireside Books in Marshall, MI will close in August after just over four years in business. Battle Creek Inquirer Vanderbilt University will move its college bookstore to a new location this fall. The space was once occupied by Borders, but will now be operated by Barnes & Noble. Nashville Business Journal The Scribo Group, one of Australia & New Zealand’s largest independent book distributors, will close, leading to the loss of approximately 50 jobs. Managing director of Scribo owner Gordon and Gotch Australia Craig Davidson said in a statement that a number of factors, including an increase in offshore online […]
More eNews
USA Today has added ebook sales data from Kobo in compiling their weekly bestseller list. The paper already includes ebook sales from Amazon, Nook and Sony. Hopkins Fulfillment Services has launched HFS Digital, which will allow clients to sell monographs and scholarly works direct to consumers as ebooks through their websites as a result of a new partnership with Sheridan Books’ new Electronic Content Services division. The program began in May but will roll out in its entirety by January 2012. Irish ebook publisher ePub Direct will enable publishers to access more than 15,000 library outlets in 13 countries. ePub […]