Workman Publishing’s director of children’s publishing, Raquel Jaramillo — who writes as R.J. Palacio and authored the bestseller WONDER — will leave that position on October 25 “to devote more time to writing.” She will rejoin Workman in February 2014 as editor-at-large, reporting to editor-in-chief and acting publisher Susan Bolotin. “Jaramillo will complete several projects that are currently under contract and will continue to acquire high-concept, novelty gift books and kits, for both the children’s and adult lists.” Bolotin notes in the announcement, “Everyone at Workman is enormously excited by Raquel’s success and proud of the work she’s done for […]
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Group communications director for HarperCollins UK and International Siobhan Kenny is leaving the company after six years, with her last day after the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. “After almost six amazing years at HC, it is time for me to move on,” Kenny said in the announcement. “Publishing is always a fascinating business, but these last few years have been really transformational and I have learnt a huge amount being part of a business in rapid transition.” At Public Affairs, Lindsay Fradkoff has been promoted to associate director of marketing, and Emily Lavelle moves up to publicity manager. At NetGalley, […]
Barnes & Noble Increases Historical Earnings, Pays Lynch Severance, and Postpones Nook International Rollout
Barnes & Noble filed restated historical financial statements with the SEC after concluding that they had “overstated certain accruals for the periods prior to April 27, 2013, as a result of inadequate controls over the accrual reconciliation process at its distribution centers.” The company made a few other historical restatements as well. The primary effect was to increase their reportable earnings from the past three years–so the 2012 net loss got $4 million smaller; the 2011 loss got $5 million smaller; and the 2010 earnings rose $6 million. With those corrections, the company also filed their delayed annual report with […]
Penguin Sales Rise 16 Percent, But Unit Loses Money On Settlements and Merger
Pearson reported sales for Penguin for the last time, covering the first six months of 2013, right up to the creation of Penguin Random House. The trade publisher had a strong start, with books from Khaled Hosseini and Sylvia Day helping to power a 16 percent overall (and 6 percent underlying) growth in sales, to £513 pounds, up from £441 a year ago (which had been a weak report for Penguin). Adjusted operating profit rose £6 million, to £28 million for the period — but that was more than wiped out by £46 million in “costs relating to the formation […]
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Jeffrey Batzli has been named creative director, trade books at Rodale, effective August 1. Previously he was creative director of Barnes & Noble’s publishing business, including the Art, Photography and Production departments of the B&N Bargain trade division, and also Sterling’s trade division. At the Quarto Group, Iain MacGregor has been hired as publisher for Aurum Press. He was formerly publishing director of Collins in the UK. Aurum’s list will “reorientate back to its illustrated roots.” Writer, researcher and sex therapist Virginia Johnson, 88, died Wednesday in St. Louis. Along with longtime collaborator (and onetime husband) William Masters, Johnson “helped […]
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At Razorbill, Caroline Donofrio has been promoted to editor. At Random House Children’s, Books, Danielle Rollins has been promoted to marketing coordinator. At Llewellyn Worldwide, Tom Lund has been promoted to director of sales and marketing, replacing Rhonda Ogren upon her retirement. In addition, Kat Sanborn has joined the company as senior publicist. Jane Austen will appear on the £10 note starting in 2017, the Bank of England announced Wednesday. “Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on our banknotes. Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognised […]