Employees of Hachette Book Group announced they have unionized with Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035, of the AFL-CIO. They have signed up a supermajority of 600 workers, making it the largest union in trade publishing history. The union says it is seeking better benefits, protections, and rights for workers, as well as increased equity, transparency, and agency in the workplace. They write in a release, “The HWC demands a livable wage regardless of work location, better working conditions, a cap on workload hours, a clear and neutral grievance process, AI protections, follow-through on DEI policies, and more.” A coalition of workers […]
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NBF To Double Down on Events, Donations in Five-Year Plan
On the newest Open Book podcast, National Book Foundation executive director Ruth Dickey lays out the organization’s strategic plan for the next five years, including events, giveaways, educator support, and greater visibility for the organization. “The new mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best literature published in the United States, connect books with readers of all ages, and champion literary arts as a vital part of our culture,” she said. The NBF will host 125 literary events around the country within the next five years, at least 10 of which will be in rural or tribal […]
Bloomsbury Streamlines Divisions for Growth, Will Eliminate 55 Positions
Bloomsbury announced a plan to “streamline its structure for further growth,” which includes streamlining approximately 55 employees out the door. After doubling sales from 2020/21 through 2024/25 through a string of acquisitions, and growing headcount from 738 to a current figure of 1,238, the company will restructure into three vertical business units as of June 1, with each business unit operating with its own editorial, sales, marketing and publicity, rights and audio functions. Those three divisions comprise Bloomsbury USA, Bloomsbury Consumer UK, and Bloomsbury Global Academic & Professional. The plan “is designed to streamline operations, strengthen international reach and accelerate […]
Freida McFadden Reveals Identity
Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid and other bestselling thrillers, has revealed that her real name is Sara Cohen. Cohen tells USA Today that she wears a wig in photos not to mask her identity but because “I have no idea how to style my hair.” Cohen, a doctor who treats brain disorders, started using a pseudonym because she did not want her writing to conflict with her medical career. “My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was (ready to) step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly […]
Macmillan Children’s Shutters Roaring Brook
Tied to the organizational changes Macmillan Children’s announced yesterday is news that the company is closing the Roaring Brook Press imprint. Roaring Brook launched in 2002 and published several award-winning and bestselling authors and illustrators including Philip and Erin Stead, Marcus Sedgwick, Lane Smith, and Michaela Goade. Six staffers have reportedly been laid off across MCPG due to the changes: five in editorial and one in art. The news comes less than two weeks after Penguin Random House announced the closure of longtime imprint Dial Books for Young Readers.
New York Times Debuts Children’s Audio Bestseller List, Cuts Mass Market
The New York Times announced changes to its bestseller lists, effective online on April 1 and in print on April 15. The Times will add two lists to their audio bestsellers: Children’s, with 15 titles, and Audio Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous, with 10 titles. The Times already lists Audio Fiction and Nonfiction bestsellers. In addition, the paper will do away with the mass market bestseller list and move the paperback nonfiction list to monthly instead of weekly, “to better align with current market trends.”