Knopf spokesman Paul Bogaards indicates that the third and final book in Stieg Larsson’s bestselling trilogy, THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, had estimated first-day unit sales (in print and digital combined) in excess of 250,000 units. Two reprints just ordered will bring them up to 900,000 copies in print, as Bogaards celebrates that “we finally have a book that is driving traffic into stores…. The hope is that Larsson will prompt other sales, especially as the summer lists from publishers across the board look very strong – with standout work coming from Justin Cronin, Bret Easton Ellis, Samantha […]
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The Content and The Buzz Gives Over to the Crowds and the Celebs
As often happens at these conventions, popular culture quickly takes over from literature. The BEA’s official slogan has been trumped by last night’s appearance of the design-enthusiastic Barbra Streisand and this morning’s children’s breakfast featuring the center of the tabloid story of the moment, Sarah Ferguson. You can add to that an astounding long line down the middle of the show floor to meet singer/actor-now author Rick Springfield, who was warmly embracing fans and posing for pictures. (Ironically, far fewer attendees showed up to hear Springfield speak at his Author Stages session earlier in the day.) The crowds are here […]
BEA Basics: No Exhibits until Tomorrow, But a Lot Happening Now
Old habits are hard to break. With BEA’s switch to a mid-week show and just two days of floor exhibits, a number of veteran fairgoers were confused to learn this morning that the show floor does not open until tomorrow. Sufficiently so that BEA pushed out an e-mail reminder on this point. Today is for conferences only (though the Rights Center is open, and remainders buyers are allowed on the floor.) But the conference sessions are crowded indeed. With digital publishing very much top of the agenda, the realignment of the IDBF conference to run concurrently with BEA has been […]
Disney Takes Over Marvel Publishing; Cursor Signs with PGW
Disney Publishing announced today that they are taking over management of–and aiming to expand–subsidiary Marvel Entertainment’s children’s licensed book publishing business worldwide. “Working with key licensees around the world, including the U.S. market, DPW will create original new content for coloring and activity, novelty, gift and sound books as well as for high end storybooks and chapter books.” Richard Nash’s start-up line has officially confirmed their distribution deal with PGW, starting July 1–though their first print title, Lynne Tillman’s Some Day This Will be Funny, won’t publish until spring 2011.
People, Etc.
Tom Spain is now vp, editorial director at Simon & Schuster Audio. He will add oversight for their children’s audio program, oversee audio sub rights, and is working on creating “audio-based applications that take full advantage of all that evolving technologies and platforms have to offer.” At distributor NBN, director of rights and permissions for the Rowman & Littlefield group Clare Cox will now be available to work with clients to sell foreign rights on their behalf. Weldon Owen publisher and chief executive in Australia Sheena Coupe will retire in August after 25 years with the company. She will be […]
ABA Actually Gains (9) Members for the Year
One previously-predictable lowpoint of BEA is moment during the American Booksellers Association annual meeting when a board member announces the annual decline in registered member stores. But this year, for the first time since we’ve been following the numbers, the association actually gained members–nine to be exact–with 1,410 registered stores. (That gain does not necessarily reflect a change in the entire store landscape, since not all independent bookstores are members of the national organization.) Here are the reported member-store numbers for the past decade: 2010: 1,4102009: 1,401 2008: 1,5242007: 1,580 2006: 1,6602005: 1,703 2004: 1,804 2003: 1,908 2002: 2,097 2001: […]