Joseph-Beth Booksellers is closing branches in Pittsburgh and Charlotte, NC. Director of marketing Chad Showalter says with sluggish forecasts into 2011, “we decided we needed to make a significant change.”Post-Gazette In Newton, MA, New England Mobile Book Fair–“the largest independent bookstore in New England”–is looking for a buyer. Attorney Steve Gans emphasizes that the 53-year-old store is strong and believes there is “pent up demand” among prospective buyers. They are working with Paul Siegenthaler at Ridge Hill Partners, who worked on the recent sales of the Wellesley Booksmith and Harvard Bookstore. Siegenthaler says “It’s a way to reach the emotional […]
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IDPF executive director Michael Smith will leave the organization shortly “to pursue other opportunities in the digital book space.” He will stay on during the search procress and transition to a replacement, which the organization hopes “will be completed by early January 2011.” At Random House UK, Cornerstone managing director Susan Sandon, Ebury managing director Fiona MacIntyre, Random House UK Children’s managing director Philippa Dickinson, and human resources director Neil Morrison have all been appointed to the company’s main board. CEO Gail Rebuck says in the announcement “this new structure ensures that we harness the strengths and talents at Board […]
Bookstore News: One Saved, One Opens, Two to Close
Barnes & Noble has agreed upon a lease extension for a Fort Worth, TX store in University Park Village after indicating last month the outlet would close at the end of the lease. The mall manager says “we never wanted them to leave, as Barnes & Noble brings more to a property than simply rental income.”Star-Telegram In Bellingham, WA The Bookworm Burrow opens later this month, selling new and used children’s books.Herald But the news is not good for a couple of other stores. Chattanooga’s largest remaining independent store Rock Point Books will close in December after four years in […]
The Press Has Bush Book
Following initial teasers in the Drudge Report, former President George Bush’s memoir is showing up on news desks. The NY Times says Bush writes that he considered dropping Dick Cheney from the ticket in 2004 in favor of Senator Bill Frist as “one way to demonstrate that I was in charge.” The funny part is that it was Cheney’s idea. They note the book indicates “Cheney clearly pushed Mr. Bush toward war” in Iraq. Cheney asked in 2002, “Are you going to take care of this guy, or not?” He does give “a more expansive self-critique than he did while […]
People, Imprints, Awards, Etc.
Lindsay Sagnette will join Crown as senior editor, acquiring hardcover fiction, reporting to Molly Stern and starting November 15. She was most recently an editor at St. Martin’s, following stints at Riverhead and Grove/Atlantic. Jeanette Perez is being promoted to senior editor at Harper One, acquiring primarily non-fiction in the areas of personal growth, health, lifestyle, and memoir. Kristin Daly Rens has been promoted to senior editor at Harper Children’s imprint Balzer & Bray. Atria is launching an imprint in conjunction with music label Cash Money Records, which issues records from Lil Wayne and others. Publishing under Cash Money Content, […]
Borders Said to Plan Closing of LaVergne Distribution Center; Employees Speculate On Store Closings
Tennessee labor officials disclosed that Borders Group has begun eliminating another 96 jobs from their 564,000-square-foot distribution center in La Vergne, which the Nashville Post now says will close entirely on December 23. The company has had at least two rounds of layoffs at that facility earlier in this, attributed in part to the relocation of their returns center to Pennsylvania in March and a reduction in their customer call center in August. As of a year ago the center was reported to employ more than 600 people. We requested further clarification from the company, but have not heard back […]