As predicted in reports earlier this week, Amazon announced a deal to acquire Spain-based BuyVIP.com, which claims over six million members in countries including Spain, Italy and Germany. Reported previously as selling for $96.5 million (though not confirmed, among BuyVIP.com’s owners is Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. In the mode of Gilt Groupe, BuyVIP sells well-known fashion and lifestyle products through limited-time offers at deep discount. Amazon’s vp of European retail Greg Greeley says, “BuyVIP.com is an excellent complement to Amazon’s European business and will provide another unique way for Amazon customers to find and discover unique and compelling products.”Announcement
International News
Frankfurt Exhibitor and Agent Numbers Rise
When Book Fair officials indicated in September that the total number of exhibitors for this year’s convention was likely to fall by about 5 percent a European wire started played up the “decline” as a digital casualty. But at today’s opening press conference, the Fair said that total exhibitors are actually up, at 7,533, a three percent increase over last year. But that number isn’t particularly meaningful since, as in previous years, the full fair will comprise the exact same amount of exhibition space. “Strong demand” for tables in the Literary Agents Center (and the volcanically-quiet London Book Fair this […]
After Further Apologies, Franzen Misprint Still Doesn’t Make Sense
With each additional story the misprinting of FREEDOM only gets fuzzier. Harper UK ceo Victoria Barnsley told the Telegraph over the weekend, “I’d like to apologise profusely to Jonathan, his readers and our customers that our first edition of Freedom does not reflect the author’s final corrected version of the novel…. We are hugely appreciative of Jonathan’s patience and utter professionalism over this.” Yet the publisher continues to blame the typesetter, Palimpsest, for sending the wrong file to the printer–implying that the publisher didn’t send final files, or review proofs before going to press. The same pesky file problem also […]
Printing Error Leads to Fresh Run for Freedom in the UK
Jonathan Franzen told a London audience that the printers of the UK edition of FREEDOM used the wrong file and printed an older version of his novel by mistake, and said a new printing will be released early next week. But “the printing company contacted the Guardian to say that while there had been an error in the book, it did not originate with them.” They reiterate that Franzen’s “version of events is disputed by the printers.” Franzen also said the erroneous copies–with a reported 80,000-copy hardcover first printing–would be eligible for exchange or refund. The Guardian reports that Franzen […]
More on Key Porter
Following yesterday’s news of severe staff reductions at Key Porter Books, chairman of parent company HB Fenn confirmed that 11 of 17 employees have been laid off–with the just one editor remaining, editor-in-chief Linda Pruessen. Fenn said in an interview, “We acquired Key Porter in July 2004 and over the years have invested financially and administratively in trying to developing a publishing program that is profitable. But looking at the fiscal year that began May 1, we’re not seeing that improvement. It’s come to the point where we can no longer support the current structure at Key Porter the size […]
People, Etc.: Reichl Joins Random House As Editor-at-Large, and More
Former Gourmet Magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl is joining Random House as an editor-at-large (and has sold three books to the house, to be edited by Susan Kamil). Noting that she “published a wide variety of writers who explored every aspect of food, from recipes to politics to culture” at Gourmet, the announcement says she will continue to acquire and edit “established and debuting authors who are expanding our food horizons.” At HarperCollins, Christine Maddalena has been promoted to senior publicist. Founder of Questia Media Troy Williams has joined Macmillan in the new position of vp and general manager, new ventures, […]