Berlin-based digital publisher Frisch & Co., which has published 13 books in translation, will become an imprint of UK-based Canelo as of June. Publishing director Michael Bhaskar says in the announcement, “We want to take these wonderful, original, eclectic, innovative voices to the wide English speaking audience they deserve.” Author of over 50 English-set historical romances, Jo Beverley died May 23 in Yorkshire, England. She was a five-time Rita Award winner, a member of the RWA Hall of Fame and RWA Honor Roll, and recipient of two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times. The Target Book Club pick for June is The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler.
Finance
Publisher of Month9Books, Swoon Romance, and Tantrum Books Pares Back List On Health Problems
The founder of the eponymous Georgia McBride Media Group — which publishes under Month9Books, Swoon Romance and Tantrum Books — emailed authors on Thursday to share information on her health issues and business problems. Recently diagnosed with a blood clot, following other stress-related health problems, McBride writes, “I am making changes which I believe will enable me to have a healthier work-life balance while also allowing me to continue to do what I love.” The fast-growing publisher will pull back somewhat, and McBride writes, “I am reverting rights to 40-50 authors across all imprints from those published to some yet to be published. […]
HarperCollins Creates Program to Support New Bookstores
HarperCollins announced a New Store Development Program to support independent booksellers opening new stores (or additional locations) in the US. Qualifying stores can get extra discount, “in the form of market development and fixture funds, on orders placed priorto opening and for the first three months of operation.” Harper will also give grants towards ABA membership dues and three months of Above the Treeline fees. Harper’s president of sales Josh Marwell says in the announcement, “We want to do everything we reasonably can to encourage” the growth in indie stores, “especially in the critical early days of a new store’s life.” American Booksellers Association ceo Oren Teicher adds, “While our market […]
Australian Publishing Braces for New Battle As Government Proposes Dropping Book Import Restrictions
Australia’s publishing (and bookselling) business has remained protected by “parallel import restrictions” that have kept the country relatively de-Amazoned — but just as American antitrust law has been favoring low consumer prices over market consolidation, the Australian government is prioritizing lower prices for books over protecting the local publishing business. The Australian Government Productivity Commission just issued a draft report on intellectual property arrangements that recommends repeal of parallel import restrictions for books “in order for the reform to take effect no later than the end of 2017.” Authors and publishers are lining up quickly in opposition to the proposal. Authors Thomas Keneally, […]
Corporate: Pearson Has Expected Q1 Decline, As CBS Considers Buyout of Redstone Shares
Pearson issued a first quarter “trading update” in connection with their annual meeting. As expected, results were weak, with overall sales down 6 percent, “in line with expectations.” They say Penguin Random House “had a solid first-quarter performance with a strong bestseller performance and net integration benefits partly offset by reduced demand for ebooks, following industry-wide changes in terms in 2015.” In other corporate news, Reuters reported exclusively that CBS has held “preliminary and ongoing” discussions with investment bankers in recent months regarding “how it could buy CBS’s voting shares from Redstone’s National Amusements Inc, and collapse CBS’s dual-class share […]
Family Entertainment Network Relaunches As StoryArc; Frankfurt Adds Controlling Stake In IPR License; Readerlink Adds ANconnect Book Business
The Family Entertainment Network of web-based children’s games and other properties — including Poptropica, created by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney, and Funbrain — has officially relaunched as StoryArc Media. The company was sold to Sandbox Partners last May by Pearson. Kinney has the title of chief creative officer under the new StoryArc banner, and Jen MacLean is president. Separately, the Frankfurt Book Fair has increased the minority stake they took in rights and licensing platform IPR License last May to give the fair controlling interest. Copyright Clearance Center retains their minority stake. FBF’s vp emerging media & English language markets Thomas Minkus will take […]