The documents keep coming in the lead up to the June 3 trial in the ebook pricing case. The latest include Apple’s “proposed findings of fact,” which lays out through Apple’s eyes the timetable of discussions and negotiations with publishers in December 2009 and January 2010 that led to the creation of the iBookstore — and the implementation of the agency model for ebooks. Many people have long suspected Amazon as a prime agitator in the cases brought against publishers and Apple, and the latest filing includes at least a smoking ember: Buried in paragraph 182 is an indication that Amazon […]
Over 400 Prepare to Hack Publishing
The programming and pitching work of the Publishing Hackathon takes place this weekend at Alley NYC, and the organizers report that 406 developers, designers and entrepreneurs have registered to participate. Fifteen sponsors have enrolled as well, and the previously-announced $10,000 grand prize has been joined by a series of smaller cash prizes for specific challenges. The Perseus Books Group is honoring the project that best promotes discovery of non-fiction books; Moon Travel and Rick Steves are picking the project that best promotes the discovery of travel guidebooks. Similarly, Pearson is honoring the project that best uses their Penguin Classics and […]
BISG Looks to Update Mission for Changing Times
At the close of Wednesday’s Making Information Pay conference, current BISG (Book Industry Study Group) chairman and Hachette Book Group president Ken Michaels addressed the importance of industry cooperation, particularly now that a simple “linear, rational, supply chain that we recognize and understand…no longer exists.” He asked, “the most important question I can convey from the podium today is this…. Can you really go it alone in isolation without participation in an industry group like BISG?” At a time when many have been intimidated about working together, even on common problems, Michaels said, “The important thing is that BISG continues […]
People: Former Twelve Publisher Goldstein Rejoins Karp at S&S
Former publisher at Twelve Cary Goldstein will join Simon & Schuster’s trade imprint as vp, executive director of publicity and senior editor on June 3. In his new role, Goldstein will supervise the S&S publicity department and acquire a select number of fiction and nonfiction titles. “Cary Goldstein brings great intelligence, creativity, and enterprise to every book he works on, as a publicity director and as an editor,” writes publisher Jonathan Karp, who launched Twelve in 2006 with Goldstein as director of publicity and acquiring editor, in the announcement. “I know Cary will thrive at this dual role because I […]
More Fall/Winter Buzz Books: Fiction
In addition to the 40 excerpts of highly anticipated titles, our Buzz Books 2013 fall/winter sampler includes an extensive preview of additional upcoming titles put together by editor Sarah Weinman. By itself it’s a great overview important books and authors to look for at BEA and throughout the big fall publishing season, and another reason why downloading this free ebook now is a great way to prepare for the convention. Over the next two weeks, we’ll run some excerpts from that preview of the season to help get everyone ready for BEA, pointing to a broad selection of the most […]
People, Awards, Etc.
Longtime Barnes & Noble employee Brenda Marsh has left her position as vp, author relations, Publishing Trends reports. She can be reached at brendasmarsh@gmail.com. Founder of Hanser Berlin Elisabeth Ruge will leave the company at the end of 2013 for what she characterized as “personal reasons.” Ruge, who founded the imprint at Carl Hanser Verlag in January 2012, will be replaced by Karsten Kredel, currently head of translated fiction at Suhrkamp Verlag. “Hanser Berlin’s lively and unique profile will no doubt be developed and strengthened by Karsten Kredel – of this I am confident – and I wish him and my colleagues […]