Hogarth is commissioning new versions of Shakespeare’s plays “reimagined for a twenty-first century audience,” set to launch in 2016. They have already enlisted Anne Tyler to write a prose “retelling” of The Taming of the Shrew, and Jeanette Winterston for a new version of The Winter’s Tale. Winterston says in the announcement, “All of us have talismanic texts that we have carried around and that carry us around. I have worked with The Winter’s Tale in many disguises for many years. This is a brilliant opportunity to work with it in its own right. And I love cover versions.” Hogarth […]
eNews
Corporate: Penguin Tries Book Discovery With “First to Read”; Quercus Moves Sales In-House; And More
Penguin is launching a new book discovery tool, First To Read, that will offer “widely anticipated” excerpts of forthcoming Penguin titles as Hotshot by Julie Garwood, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, (also available on our own Fall/Winter Buzz Books 2013 sampler), The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead, Sister Mother Husband Dog by Delia Ephron, The Childhod of Jesus by J. M. Coetzee, Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan, and many more. Those who sign up for First To Read through their Facebook accounts will be able to request digital galleys of available titles, and can also take part […]
People, Etc.
Beth Lamb will join Vintage/Anchor on June 19 in the newly created position of vp, associate publisher, reporting to Anne Messitte. Previously she was associate publisher, trade books at Rodale. Messitte said in the announcement that Lamb “very much shares our belief that paperback and digital publishing today require creativity, innovation, and flexible strategies, that our authors are the center of all that we do, and that successful publishing relies on a deep understanding of the marketplace and consumer interests. Recognizing the potential of a robust backlist — sensing opportunities and acting on them — is a part of Beth’s […]
People, Etc.
Editor-in-chief at School Library Journal Rebecca Miller has been promoted to editorial director of Library Journals, with added responsibility of LJ as well. Current editor-in-chief of LJ Michael Kelley is leaving the company. At Morrow/Avon, Emily Krump has been promoted to editor. At the Gernert Company, Anna Worrall has been promoted to the newly created position of Marketing & Social Media Manager. Israeli author Yoram Kaniuk, 83, died Saturday in Tel Aviv. Kaniuk wrote more than 30 books, including THE ACROPHILE (1960), ADAM RESURRECTED (1968), adapted into the 2008 movie of the same name, and 1948 (2010), published in the […]
Nook Looks to Add Some Snap with Commissioned Short Works
Nook Snaps, the company’s brand for short-form content (or “singles”) first introduced in late 2011, has received a relaunch. The company is highlighting a new program of specially-commissioned original works, promising 3 to 5 new titles every two months priced at $1.99. Maris Kreizman is the editor for the line at Nook, and the company is setting up a “submissions box” as well. In contrast to Kindle Singles, works are exclusive to Nook for the first 60 days only. Spokesperson Mary Ellen Keating tells us that during that first 60-day period, “the author receives 100 percent of royalties. Then, it’s […]
eNews: Harper’s Hackathon Twist With BookSmash Challenge
A week after the Perseus-produced Hackathon that concluded at BEA, HarperCollins is launching its own version with BookSmash Challenge, a contest running from today through September 5 that asks developers developers “to create new digital products that ‘break the binding’ and re-imagine the book.” Developers will have access to works by more than a dozen authors, including Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, and C.S. Lewis, from which they can build new products and software from access to the full API for those titles. HarperCollins is working with software competition platform ChallengePost on the contest, and a total of $25,000 in cash […]