On Friday afternoon, Penguin issued to us a statement regarding the reported dozen separate lawsuits seeking to recover advances paid to authors the publishers says did not submit manuscripts: “Penguin invests in, nurtures and develops authors who write books that we publish and bring to readers. It devalues the hard work of the vast majority of our authors, and is unfair to our readers, if a few individuals can keep tens of thousands of dollars in advances without ever delivering anything to the publisher. For this reason, Penguin is asking these authors to repay the money they received for work […]
Legal
Poindexter Says Penguin Suit Was “The Last Straw” In Deciding to Sell MacAdam/Cage
We expected that there were some dots to be connected between Penguin’s suit against MacAdam/Cage over the ebook publication of Susan Vreeland’s Girl With Hyacinth Blue, and MacAdam/Cage founder and owner David Poindexter has now confirmed that in a reply to our queries. Poindexter was in contact with Penguin’s attorney last week regarding the suit, filed June 20, and was told “they do intend to proceed with the suit.” Poindexter says by e-mail, “This was the last straw that made me decide to sell. There are many, many good people in publishing, but I have had my fill of the […]
People, Etc.
At ICM Partners, Kristyn Keene and Kari Stuart have both been promoted to agent. Keene joined the agency in 2006; Stuart has been with ICM for seven years. Alistair Burtenshaw, who left his positions at Reed Exhibitions earlier this month, will move up to chair of charity Booktrust (where he has served as deputy chair since 2008). The Smoking Gun highlights multiple lawsuits filed recently by Penguin to recover advances from authors who the publisher says never delivered their manuscripts. The suits look to recover advances and interest from: New Yorker staff writer Rebecca Mead $20,000, for a 2003 deal […]
Kohn’s Komic Appeal
Here are all seven pages of Bob Kohn’s graphic appeal reply (or just download the PDF).
Kohn Aims for Last Laugh In Settlement Appeal
While Judge Denise Cote effectively ran out the clock on businessman and attorney Bob Kohn’s effort to obtain an emergency stay of imposition of the ebook pricing settlement, in the second round of Kohn’s attempt to appeal the settlement, he hold more cards than the judge. While Kohn filed his response Thursday night as directed to objections from the Department of Justice and the three Settlers, at this stage of proceedings, all he really needs is a ruling. If Judge Cote grants him standing, his appeal goes forward, but even if she denies his request, once that denial is entered, […]
Penguin Sues MacAdam/Cage For Licensing Vreeland eBook Rights They Never Legally Acquired
A case quietly filed in New York Supreme Court this summer demonstrates the perils of issuing previously published works as ebooks without all parties being crystal clear on who controls those rights. At issue is the ebook edition of Susan Vreeland’s 1999 bestseller GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE, originally published by McMurray & Beck (later absorbed into MacAdam/Cage). In the breach of contract complaint filed on June 20, the novel’s paperback publisher Penguin is suing MacAdam/Cage, alleging the small press licensed Penguin ebook rights that they did not control. The original licensing agreement between Penguin and McMurray & Beck made no […]