BEA’s Editors Buzz Forum will return to its traditional Thursday time slot, and adds a Young Adult Buzz Forum on Friday, May 29 “to address the growing interest in young adult books.” Along with announcing this year’s selection, convention officials note that criteria for buzz book consideration has now been formalized for future years: All nominated books must have a fall release timeline (September – January). All submissions must have a digital packet which includes jacket art, first chapter, imprint logo, author photo and SMPR (social media press release). BEA will create a “Books with Buzz” tab on its web […]
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Searching Inside HarperCollins' Digital Catalog
HarperCollins has been promising for a while that it would make its seasonal catalogs an all-digital affair, and as of yesterday, starting with Fall 2009, they’ve taken that step with a beta version that features book jackets and covers, prices, on-sale dates, marketing information, reviews, sample spreads, quotes, important media alerts and additional media content. The aim is for a “significantly more dynamic experience” than the traditional print catalog, also making available select galleys and AREs for browsing. “We are providing an improved tool that will always contain current information and one that will save time and resources for publishers, […]
Baker & Taylor On "Bottom Rung" List
Baker & Taylor ranked on Moody’s Investor’s inaugural “Bottom Rung” list of companies considered at the greatest risk of default or bankruptcy after the B&T’s default rating was lowered last month to B3, with a negative outlook. Moody’s cited a drop in business (particularly on the retail distribution side) as well as B&T’s significant debt, combined with a weakening ratio of revenue to its interest payments.Charlotte Business Journal
Bertrams Sold to Smiths News
Book wholesaler Betrams has been sold to Smiths News for £8.6m, the Bookseller reported Friday, four months after its parent Woolworths went into administration. Smiths News, formerly part of WH Smith, has said that it “anticipates that working capital of about £7m will be injected over the period to August 31 into Bertrams” in order to increase stock availability and thereby customer service. “Publishers are delighted that Smiths News has acquired Bertrams and that they have a firm commitment to the future development of the company,” said PA president Ian Hudson. Smiths News has agreed that publisher’s debts will be […]
University of Michigan Press Shifts to All-Digital Operation
The University of Michigan Press announced today that it will shift its scholarly publishing program, responsible for producing up to 60 monographs a year, from being primarily a traditional print operation to a primarily digital one within two years. Michigan officials tell Inside Higher Ed that the shift reflects their belief that old scholarly publishing models don’t work and it’s time to stop trying. “I have been increasingly convinced that the business model based on printed monograph was not merely failing but broken,” said Phil Pochoda, director of the Michigan press. “Why try to fight your way through this? Why […]
Ingram Cuts 64 Jobs
Ingram has cut 64 jobs, including 34 at its headquarters warehouse in La Vergne, Tennessee and 30 at its Oregon warehouse. “We’re in this very difficult economic period where retail in all sectors is down,” company spokesman Keel Hunt told the Tennessean. “Ingram is being impacted by a falloff in order from retail booksellers. Their sales are down from the year before.”Tennessean