Kate Dresser has been promoted to senior editor at Gallery. Shawn Sarles has joined DK as a sales manager (after serving as a sales Analyst at Hachette Book Group); and Katie Schloss has joined the company as a brand manager. At the University of Chicago Press, Carrie Olivia Adams has been named promotions and marketing communications director of the books division. Richard Atkinson left his position as senior commissioning editor at Bloomsbury UK in November after 12 years with the company to focus on writing a family memoir. The Harlequin Creator Fund announced last November is now open for submissions. Former vp […]
Legal
Parneros Motions for Advancement of Attorney Fees to Fight Counterclaim
On Friday January 18 came multiple filings in Parneros v. Barnes & Noble. The bookseller’s former ceo Demos Parneros demanded the company pay his attorney fees and expenses in fighting its counterclaim, again citing the indemnification clause in his contract. While on its face absurd – Parneros is essentially asking BN to pay to sue itself – attorney Anne Clark cites several cases where NY courts “have awarded advancement for officers and directors to defend against claims brought by the corporation itself.” (For better or worse, it puts Parneros in league with fired CBS ceo Leslie Moonves, who has had […]
People, Etc.
Harper Children’s UK publisher Rachel Denwood will move to Simon & Schuster UK, where she will be managing director for the children’s publishing division, reporting to ceo Ian Chapman. Denwood will also join the publisher’s UK board. Chapman says, “Rachel is highly talented with a wealth of experience and great energy and passion for children’s books. She is the perfect publisher to take the helm of this vital and growing area of our business.” Denwood adds, “After ten happy and successful years at HarperCollins it is hard to say goodbye, but the opportunity to lead and build the gem-filled Simon […]
Donegan Asks For Stay of Discovery, Dismissal of Defamation Suit
“S—-y Media Men” list creator Moira Donegan’s legal team filed a letter with Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, arguing for motions to dismiss Stephen Elliott’s defamation lawsuit and to stay discovery until the judge rules on the motion, citing “the extraordinary weakness of [Elliott’s] allegations.” In a four-page letter, counsel Roberta A. Kaplan argues that Elliott’s self-promotional actions — as a writer and producer promoting his works at ‘publicity events,’ ‘interviews,’ and ‘panels’ — establish him as a public figure, who must therefore prove that Donegan acted “grossly irresponsibly” or “with actual malice” in publishing the claims against him, and that […]
Choose Your Own Adventure Sues Netflix Over “Bandersnatch”
Chooseco, the owners of the Choose Your Own Adventure series, filed suit in a Vermont Federal court on Friday against Netflix, alleging trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition over the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released by the streaming service on December 28, 2018. The suit seeks a “conservative initial estimate” of at least $25 million in damages. Citing the early minutes of Netflix movie, in which the the main character refers to the fictional book Bandersnatch as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, in which “you decide what your character does,” Chooseco charges that the infringement of their trademark […]
People, Etc.
Lindsey Rose will join Dutton as executive editor, acquiring commercial fiction including thrillers and suspense, starting January 22. Most recently she was senior editor at Grand Central. At Crown, Meghan Houser has been promoted to editor; Rose Fox to associate editor; and Jon Darga and Jillian Buckley to assistant editor. Donna Loffredo has been promoted to senior editor for Harmony Books and Rodale Books, and Michele Eniclerico moves up to associate editor for the two lines. In the Crown rights department, Rachel Berkowitz becomes deputy director of foreign rights and Claire Posner moves up to associate manager, subsidiary rights. Lisa Yoskowitz has been promoted to editorial director, nonfiction at Little, Brown Children’s. […]