Kim Shannon has been promoted to vp, director, retail sales at Penguin Random House. Awards The Carnegie Medal was awarded to Tanya Landman for Buffalo Soldier, while the Greenaway Medal was given to William Grill for Shackleton’s Journey, which he wrote and illustrated. Grill is the youngest prize winner (at age 25) in more than 50 years. Obituary James Salter, 90, died June 19 in Sag Harbor, NY. He was the author of novels including A Sport and a Pastime (1967) and Light Years (1975) as well as two short story collections and a memoir. The NYT reports his wife […]
Finance
Judge Denies Results of Family Christian Bankruptcy Auction
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Gregg voided the results of the complicated bankruptcy auction for the Family Christian Stores bookselling chain, calling the process “at times, nothing short of chaotic.” At the same time, the Judge wrote, “While the Debtors clearly made mistakes at the auction, this court concludes that the allegations of fraud and unfairness are, in large part, unfounded.” That presents FCS with two main options: Reopen the bankruptcy auction, under the expanded oversight of the United States Trustee’s office, or, “as an alternative to recommencing the auction, the Debtors may simply wish to file a plan of reorganization […]
Corporate: A Penguin Random House/Amazon Deal, and A News Corp. Dividend
Amazon has confirmed (to both the Bookseller and PW) signing “new long term agreements with Penguin Random House in both the US and the UK,” ratifying that alarmist accounts of a standoff starting from a UK tech blog were, as expected, overblown. The important part is what was not disclosed: any change in fundamental ebook terms of sale now that PRH is no longer constrained by the US consent decree and the EU commitments. PRH says they “don’t discuss any aspect of our customer relationships” in public — and for now, agents we were able to contact had not heard anything […]
People, Etc.
At Hachette Livre, Pierre Danet has been promoted to group chief digital innovator, reporting to Arnaud Nourry, while continuing to supervise digital projects in France, reporting to Catherine Cussigh. In addition, Eva Dunoyer moves up to innovation project manager. At Sourcebooks, Susan Raasch is being promoted to senior accounts receivable specialist, and Sara Bonnar is being promoted to accounting manager. Due to a US sales restructuring at DK, svp, sales Therese Burke and director of special sales Vicki Korlishin have had their positions eliminated. Burke may be contacted at trez914@gmail.com and Korlishin may be reached at vkorlishin@gmail.com. Head of Bilheimer & Associates (and head of PR for […]
Hachette UK Acquires Nicholas Brealey; Abacus Imprint Takes Over 100-YEAR-OLD-MAN Rights
Hachette UK has acquired Nicholas Brealey Publishing, which focuses on global business, personal and professional development, and travel writing, after which the company will become an imprint of John Murray Press. Nick Brealey will continue to manage the lists, reporting to John Murray managing director Nick Davies. All of the UK staff will move to Hachette UK’s London offices, while three employees working for the US-based imprints Davies-Black and Intercultural Press — head of Boston office Janet Crockett, sales manager Melissa Carl, and head of production Jen Delaney — will move into Hachette Book Group’s Boston office toward the end […]
Nebraska Book Company Sells Retail Division to Follett
The Nebraska Book Company has sold its Neebo retail division to Follett, which will lead to the loss of 60 jobs at the company’s headquarters in Lincoln, NE. The sale of Neebo, for which terms were not disclosed, comes after the Nebraska Book Company announced it would close its Lincoln store next month, and enables the company to “concentrate on textbook distribution and technology support for independent college book retailers,” the Omaha World-Herald reports. Interim president and chief executive Ben Riggsby added in the announcement: “Nebraska Books Company is realizing the opportunity to shift its strategic focus to the singular […]