Since at least early 2017, an unknown person with knowledge of the book business and dealmaking has persistently impersonated a number of people in attempts to steal unpublished manuscripts for no discernible reason. The suspect is strangely persistent. Reeves Wiedeman and Lila Shapiro at NY Magazine spent a long time trying to crack the case — without success, though they compile a detailed and entertaining account of their efforts: “The thief wasn’t the only one who wanted me to stop. Two of this magazine’s editors sat me down and said that I couldn’t spend all year investigating a crime with […]
News
Sourcebooks Plans Remote Work Flexibility
Sourcebooks will reopen their offices in Illinois, New York, and Connecticut on September 7, when the company will “welcome back all employees who choose to work out of the office.” Their broader plan will allow every employee to meet with their manager and “define individual plans for their work process.” Depending on their responsibilities, options include working fully remote, a hybrid of remote and in-office, or working in the office full time. The company will also let employees work remotely for up to a month anywhere in the continental US (as long as it’s allowed by the state). On a standing […]
PRH to Require Vaccines When Offices Reopen In September
Penguin Random House US CEO Madeline McIntosh wrote to staff that the company will begin reopening their physical offices in a “gradual process” starting September 13, “assuming all goes well health-wise.” The company has decided that “full vaccination will be a requirement for those employees and visitors entering our offices” (italics ours). McIntosh adds, “We understand that not everyone is vaccinated, and, as a reminder, it is completely ok to continue to work in full-time remote mode. The requirement only applies to those entering the offices.”
The Office: HBG Introduces Hybrid Work Model
Hachette Book Group will reopen its offices with a hybrid work model this September, requiring staff to work from the office at least two days a week, on fixed days of the week. “Changing from working entirely from home to working two fixed days a week in the office is intended to be a manageable transition,” ceo Michael Pietsch wrote to staff. Different locations will reopen in weekly phases, with the New York office scheduled for September 13. (There is no date yet for reopening their Toronto office, however, “due to federal and provincial regulations in Ontario.”) Additionally, a new […]
What’s In A Name?….
Simon & Schuster ceo Jonathan Karp said in his latest Word According to Karp video that John Bolton had a different title in mind for his book last summer: “The original title of the book, Ambassador Bolton wanted to call it A Hard Pounding, which was actually a quote from the Duke of Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo.” (Our copy-editing department notes the remark was made during the battle, while the Duke’s troops awaited the arrival of their Prussian allies, hence the full quote, “Hard pounding this, gentlemen, but we will see who can pound the longest.”) Karp adds, […]
Klobuchar Tells AAP of “Serious Concerns About Consolidation in the Publishing Industry”
Wednesday’s virtual AAP annual meeting offered some more pointed remarks than usual, as the publishing industry finds itself performing well financially, while facing a variety of new challenges from government, big tech, idealists and even itself. Most notably, Senator Amy Klobuchar, accepting the organization’s Award for Distinguished Public Service in a taped message, made clear that her focus on “taking on monopoly power” is not limited to big tech alone. “As you all know, there are serious concerns about consolidation in the publishing industry, due to a series of mergers and acquisitions that combine major publishing houses,” she said. “This […]