German publisher Ullstein has dropped its translation of JD Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy in response to his becoming Donald Trump’s running mate, Der Spiegel reports. The German edition is out of print, and last week Ullstein decide to let their licensing agreement lapse. “At the time of publication, the book made a valuable contribution to understanding the disintegration of US society,” the publisher said. “He is now officially acting on [Tump’s] side and represents an aggressive, demagogic, exclusionary policy.” The rights have been picked up by German publisher YES, which will release a new German edition on August 15. “We bought […]
International News
Editis in Talks to Acquire Delcourt
Editis has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire French comics publisher Groupe Delcourt. The deal would give strengthen Editis’ offerings in the comics and manga business, while Delcourt would benefit from the support of a major publishing group. Delcourt president Guy Delcourt would “remain at the head of the house he founded nearly 40 years ago, and whose identity and operational autonomy would be preserved,” a release states. Delcourt said, “The Delcourt Group is opening a new page in its history by entering into exclusive negotiations with the Editis Group. This new home port would be both reassuring in its scope and […]
Lagardere Returns As CEO Following Partial Lifting of Ban
Following a judicial appeal, there was a “partial lifting of the management activities ban imposed on” Arnaud Lagardère, as he faces criminal charges of “vote buying, abuse of power and breach of trust, disseminating false or misleading information and failure to publish accounts.” As a result, he has resumed his position as chair and ceo of Lagardere SA.
Booktopia Suspends Trading of Its Shares
Struggling Australian online bookseller Booktopia looks to have reached a troubling new stage. Late last week they suspended trading of the company’s stock — which is worth only five cents a share — pending an announcement. But the follow-up announcement earlier this week simply said that trading in their shares would remain suspended, “pending the release of an announcement regarding further outcomes from the previously announced strategic review including its progress in seeking additional funding.” Co-founder, board member and once-again executive Tony Nash told The Guardian Australia, “We’re in motion at the moment, so [an announcement] will be probably more […]
Nourry Announces New Publisher, Pairs with Simon & Schuster In First-Look Agreement
Following preliminary reports in April, former Hachette Livre CEO Arnaud Nourry officially announced his new publishing venture, Les Nouveaux Editeurs. The company says it has a broad partnership with Simon & Schuster that includes a “first-look agreement for future editorial acquisitions, joining forces in some auctions and bidding together for series, licenses and other multi-book acquisitions.” S&S explains in a separate announcement, “Under the agreement, which includes adult, childrens, and illustrated/graphic titles, each company will have the first opportunity to acquire projects for its market which satisfy certain parameters and for which the other company has acquired world rights. The […]
On the Growing Sales of English Editions In Europe
European publishers have been sounding the alarm about increasing sales of English-language import editions of books by popular authors for some time now — particularly in Holland and across Scandinavia, where publishers have been lobbying to acquire rights to produce English editions of their own alongside their translations to blunt the effect. Now the NYT explains the popularity of those English-language editions to readers, focusing on the effect of social media: “Booksellers in the Netherlands said that many young people prefer to buy books in English with their original covers, even if Dutch is their first language, because those are […]