Alexandria, VA US District Judge Gerald Lee has firmly supported the CIA’s pre-publication review process for books by agency employees and former employees–including their common practice of taking their own sweet time in commenting on manuscripts. Judge Lee ruled against pseudonymous author Ishmael Jones and his book THE HUMAN FACTOR: Inside the CIA’s Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture from Encounter Books. Jones published his book without the agency’s permission, after being denied approval on the first version of his manuscript, and receiving only partial approval for a revised version. Attorney Laurin Mills had asserted that the CIA breached the pre-publication review agreement […]
Legal
Briefs: Pottermore Details Leaked; BN eBook Market Share; Indies Charging For Events, Again; And More
The Times UK claims they received an “official marketing memo” by mistake with details about JK Rowling’s Pottermore website, which officially launches Thursday at 7 AM EDT at an event at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. According to the story, Pottermore is “a sophisticated online game that contains clues to prizes that are hidden in the real world. These are an unstated number of magic wands secreted in Britain and America, and possibly other countries.” The Times notes it’s still not clear whether the treasure hunt is Pottermore itself, or a marketing ploy, or if the “leak” is […]
Briefs: Amazon Nears Sales Tax Deal with Texas; Whitcoulls Sale Final; And More
After months of fighting over sales tax issues, Amazon appears to be close to a deal with the state of Texas that would see Amazon creating more than 5,000 jobs and invest $300 million in the state over the next three years, so long as Texas exempts Amazon from paying sales tax for the next four and a half years. The proposal, which does not explicitly name Amazon but , is attached to a state Senate fiscal matters bill that must be passed in order to balance the next fiscal year budget. It would also not exempt Amazon or any […]
Borders Loses Another $35 Million in May As Sales Talks Intensify
The intensified need for a sale and last-minute maneuvering to get its debtor-in-possession loan extended make all the more sense in light of Borders’ earnings report for the first 28 days of May. The company lost another $35.4 million during that period, of which a little more than half – $18.1 million – came from continuing store operations, with the rest owing to reorganization fees. That means Borders has now lost more than $191 million since filing for Chapter 11 in February. Total revenue for the month was $97 million. But you’d never know if you were reading ceo Mike […]
Borders Reaches Deal With GE Capital, Will Name First Bidder By July 1
In court papers filed late Friday, Borders said it has reached an agreement with GE Capital on a new amendment to its debtor-in-possession loan that will allow more than 40 stores whose landlords had not granted more time for the company to accept or reject leases to remain open. Borders said the agreement “enable [them] to commence and consummate a coordinated dual-track sale process for the sale of their businesses by the end of July.” In addition, Borders said it’s expected to name a stalking horse bidder on or before July 1, and has scheduled an auction on July 19, […]
People, Awards, and More: McCann Takes IMPAC
People In the UK, publishing director of Transworld’s crime and thriller books Selina Walker will move over to become publisher for Century and Arrow, starting in mid-July. At Transworld, editorial director Sarah Adams will take over Walker’s role; Cat Cobain is being promoted to publishing director of the women’s fiction list; and nonfiction editor Sarah Emsley is moving up to senior editorial director. At HarperCollins, Leah Wasielewski has been promoted to senior director of marketing for Harper, Harper Business and Broadside Books. Bloomsbury sub-rights manager since 2006 Lauren Shekari has left the company. In disclosure forms, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown […]