Hachette Book Group is offering a voluntary resignation program to most US employees over 50 who have at least 15 years of service with the company. A representative told PL, “Employees who choose to participate will receive a favorable package of severance benefits that are not usually available to people who leave the company. The decision to take part is absolutely voluntary.” (Reportedly that package includes a year’s severance.) HBG added, “this is not a permanent policy and there is an end date for eligible employees to elect to participate in the program.” They did not respond to queries about […]
News
Indigo Refuses to Pay Ransom; Employee Data May Be on Dark Web
Last week Indigo posted additional information to their website FAQ about their Feb. 8 cyberattack. The retailer notes that it will not pay the ransom. “The privacy commissioners do not believe that paying a ransom protects those whose data has been stolen, as there is no way to guarantee the deletion/protection of the data once the ransom is paid. Both US and Canadian law enforcement discourage organizations from paying a ransom as it rewards criminal activity and encourages others to engage in this activity,” they wrote. “Additionally, we cannot be assured that any ransom payment would not end up in […]
S&S Book Recalled For Plagiarism
David B. Agus, MD, author of THE BOOK OF ANIMAL SECRETS, which was scheduled for publication by Simon & Schuster tomorrow, will recall the book amidst plagiarism concerns. In a statement, the author said, “I was recently made aware that in writing The Book of Animal Secrets we relied upon passages from various sources without attribution, and that we used other authors’ words. I want to sincerely apologize to the scientists and writers whose work or words were used or not fully attributed.” He asked S&S to halt publication of the book “in all formats” and will rewrite the plagiarized […]
PRH Announces Reorganization, Creates Independent Crown Group Again
Penguin Random House announced a reorganization that will expand the number of adult publishing divisions from three to four, separating back out Crown Publishing Group from Random House Publishing Group. Interim ceo Nihar Malaviya writes, “Books and the people who make them are at the heart of what we do. Our editors’ ability to aggressively pursue the works they are most passionate about, and the autonomy and independence of our divisions and imprints, is what drives our business and ensures our success.” (Crown had been merged into the RH Group in late 2018.) Sanyu Dillon moves over to serve as president […]
Fleming Estate “Looked for Guidance from the Author” for Bond Revisions
After the release of yesterday’s news that they would independently publish revised editions of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd posted an explanation, on their website. “We consulted with a number of parties but ultimately decided that, rather than making changes in line with their advice, it was instead most appropriate to look for guidance from the author himself. The original US version of Live and Let Die, approved and apparently favored by Ian, had removed some racial terms which were problematic even in mid-1950s America, and would certainly be considered deeply offensive now by the vast […]
Andrews McMeel and Portfolio Drop Scott Adams
Both of Scott Adams’ book publishers, Andrews McMeel and Portfolio, have taken steps to end their relationship with the creator following his racist remarks. Andrews McMeel said in a public statement it is “severing our relationship with Dilbert creator Scott Adams,” noting that “will extend to all areas of our business with Adams and the Dilbert comic strip.” AMP published his Dilbert books, and their subsidiary Universal Press Syndicate had syndicated the strip to newspapers. Chairman Hugh Andrews and ceo Andy Sareyan write in their joint statement, “As a media and communications company, AMU values free speech. We are proud […]