News

Abrams has done another round of layoffs across departments, following a round in April. The company declined to comment on the number of people fired. They say in a statement, “Abrams, like many in publishing, is having a challenging year. Consequently, Abrams has implemented workforce reduction measures affecting departments across the company. Changes to our operating structure are important to set the foundation of growth for the company. While we are deeply aware of the concerns this raises with our employees, we are also aware that the future of our business depends on these changes which will lead to finding […]

A Goodreads page for an untitled Donna Tartt novel sparked rumors (and hopes) online that a surprise book would be published this week, incredulous as that might seem. Tartt’s agent Nicole Aragi confirmed the posting is false. “This is not true and we’re working on getting it pulled,” she stated. The page listed Tartt’s publisher as Knopf, though she moved to Little, Brown with The Goldfinch, which published in 2013. It also listed the release day as June 1, a Thursday.

Following sweeping layoffs and announcement of an Article 9 sale at Scribe Media, some of the remaining employees have launched a “Petition for Financial Justice” demanding severance and other benefits for their 87 fired colleagues. Notably, the petitioners assert that, “There was no severance pay for the employees who were laid off, and all benefits and tech access were immediately cut.” They write, “As the remaining dedicated crew members of Scribe Media, we prioritize the welfare of our laid-off colleagues. Therefore, we firmly demand that all proceeds from the sale of Scribe Media be exclusively allocated to ensure financial justice […]

Bertelsman ceo Thomas Rabe told the Financial Times that, for creative industries, generative AI could be “very positive provided we…understand its potential and threats.” Overall, he sees the technology as “on balance . . . probably more of an opportunity.” For example, “He said there were even opportunities for authors to augment their output by feeding software with their previous output to generate new content.” Rabe added, “If it’s your content, for which you own the copyright, and then you use it to train the software, you can in theory generate content like never before,” he said. Plus, “Rabe also argued that a proliferation […]

Further to our reporting about Scribe Media, the company responded to PL’s inquiries and clarified that while Scribe Media, LLC is officially ceasing operations, due to an Article 9 sale, the company will continue to operate as its assets are transferred to new ownership. (Article 9 is part of the Uniform Commercial Code, which provides for a secured lender to repossess the secured property in the event of a default.) Scribe’s chief experience officer Meghan McCracken tells PL that a buyer has not been determined, saying: “There are many interested buyers at the moment.” The company confirms they laid off […]