In the midst of the debt-ceiling debacle, Congress surprised publishers and retailers by taking unexpected action and actually getting something right. The House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) by 421-2 that excludes regular printed children’s books and learning materials from the lead-content testing requirements that are due to take effect August 14. The Senate quickly approved the same measure by voice vote before adjourning, sending the bill on to President Obama for signing into law. The amendment has been three years in the making, and its quick passage was a happy surprise […]
People, Etc.
The successors to Larry Kirshbaum’s former agency LJK Literary Management have formally launched their new entity, Einstein Thompson Agency. Susanna Einstein and Meg Thompson are co-directors of the new agency. They will take over representation of Kirshbaum’s clients, including Elizabeth Flock, Dorothea Benton Frank, Anita Hill, Steven James, James Kimmel, Kimberly Pauley, Austin Ratner, James Redfield, Jeremy Rifkin, Larkin Warren, and the estate of Donald E. Westlake. Sandy Hodgman has been promoted to director of foreign rights under the new banner, and Molly Reese has been promoted to associate agent. She will continue to assist Einstein and Thompson, oversee audio […]
People: DiPreta to Crown Archetype, Dickerman Named Penguin Press Executive Editor
Mauro DiPreta will join Crown in the newly created position of VP, Editor-in-Chief of Crown Archetype on September 7. DiPreta will be responsible for directing and overseeing the editorial operations for Archetype, Harmony, Crown Business, and Crown Forum. He will report to Crown Archetype svp and publisher Tina Constable, who says in a statement: “[DiPreta] possesses a deep understanding of the entire publishing process…has a well-established reputation as an editor and editorial leader with an uncommonly keen commercial sense, and an enviable track record of success. Over the course of his career, he has spearheaded the publication of numerous bestsellers […]
Controversy About Coal Lesson Packet Causes Scholastic To Cut Back Corporate-Sponsored Projects
After receiving a barrage of criticism back in May for sponsoring a fourth-grade lesson packet on coal-based energy that was paid for by the American Coal Foundation, Scholastic announced Sunday evening that it will cut back its InSchool marketing division’s corporate-sponsored projects and create a new review board to vet its materials. “We have to improve our standards, and make sure there’s not a scintilla of anything that could be suggested to be biased,” Scholastic president and ceo Richard Robinson told the NYT. “The vast majority of our programs are not controversial, but once in a while there was a […]
Bookselling: Half Price Hires Borders’ Staff; NAIBA Writes to Save Reps;WH Smith Investors Look for Split
A Dallas/Ft. Worth web site notes that locally-based (and expanding) Half Price Books posted on the Help Ex-Borders Employees site looking to hire–and has already filled at least a few jobs in Texas as a result. Half Price vp of training Steve Leach says, “The thing to remember about Borders is that they trained an army [of] damned good booksellers. Say what you will about their corporate decisions, but at the ground level, these are some of the best and brightest that the book industry has to offer. It would be a shame to lose so much book industry knowledge […]
International: Israeli Government Investigates Book Chain Steimatzky
Following a price battle with bookselling competitor Tzomet Sfarim, Israel’s Steimatzky Ltd. is said to be under investigation by the Antitrust Authority for possible violation of promises made when they merged with the Sifri bookstores. Israel’s Globes writes that “questioning under caution indicates that the Antitrust Authority believes that it has grounds for an indictment.” They report that “Steimatzky allegedly demanded exclusivity from publishers on books sold in sales campaigns, which would result in Steimatzky’s competitors being forced to sell the books at full price. An industry source said the case involves hundreds of titles.” Tzomet said it wouldn’t carry […]