Random UK’s Corgi imprint will publish THE LOST SYMBOL in paperback on July 22, just announced this morning. But don’t expect a paperback edition in the US yet. Spokesperson Suzanne Herz says “the hardcover is performing so well here we are not following suit.” The publisher currently has no plans for paperback release in the US.
International News
Blair Memoir Set for September
Random House will publish former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s book TONY BLAIR: THE JOURNEY this September, via Hutchinson in the UK and Knopf and Knopf Canada in North America. The company says rights have been sold in twelve territories. (They acquired rights in October 2007.) Random UK ceo Gail Rebuck promises in the announcement that “his book is frank, open, revealing, and written in an intimate and accessible style. As an account of the nature and uses of power, it will have a readership that extends well beyond politics, to all those who want to understand the challenge of […]
People, Awards and More
Anna Crowe has joined Planned Television Arts as a senior publicist. She was previously at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Random House. Linda Clark Associates has been appointed the book scout for Quercus Books. The LA Times announced nominees for its annual book prizes yesterday in 10 categories, now including an award for graphic novels for the first time. Their first Innovators Award will go to Dave Eggers for “his multifaceted, spirited commitment to literature” and their Lifetime Achievement award is going to Evan S. Connell.Full list of nominees Poets & Writers’ indie bookselling column has a long interview with Michael […]
People and Companies
Agent Mary Ann Naples, co-owner of The Creative Culture, has joined startup OpenSky (www.theopenskyproject.com) as vp of development, representing the voices of authors and brands at the company. Former Scholastic UK managing director (and then briefly chief executive of the Headline publishing group) Kate Wilson is starting a children’s book publisher, Nosy Crow, launching in January 2011. The company is focusing on both traditional printed books as well as books as electronic apps. Ralph Munsen joins Hachette Book Group today as svp, chief information officer. He was most recently vp, technology at Clear Channel..He will lead HBG’s technology group, and […]
WH Smith Holiday Comps Down 5 Percent
In a brief trading update, UK retailer WH Smith congratulated itself for having same-store sales at their high street stores decline 5 percent for the eleven-week holiday selling period ending January 23–slightly weaker than the 4 percent comp decline for the past 21 weeks.Company release
Indigo Grows Sales and Profits
In the one positive earnings report from the holiday period for an English-language bookselling chain, Canada’s dominant Indigo said that the same-store superstore sales rose 3.4 percent for the quarter ending December 26, while their smaller format stores were down 1.6 percent. Overall sales rose $10.2 million or 3 percent to $340.2 million (CA). Net after-tax earnings of $34.5 million were 29 percent higher than a year ago. But Indigo still suffers from competition with Amazon online, with online sales declining 2.7 percent to $29.3 million.Release