Two weekend profiles of JK Rowling prepared the ground for Thursday’s release of THE CASUAL VACANCY, offering details on the book as well as the process that has guarded both the author and the book’s contents. Rowling told the Guardian, which ran their piece on Saturday, she dreamed up the idea for THE CASUAL VACANCY on a plane: “And I thought: local election! And I just knew. I had that totally physical response you get to an idea that you know will work. It’s a rush of adrenaline, it’s chemical. I had it with Harry Potter and I had it […]
People, Etc.
Chris Labonté is leaving Douglas & McIntyre, where he has been fiction acquisitions editor, “to pursue his own writing and other endeavors.” Following his departure, the acquisition and editing of fiction will be integrated into the broader editorial department. Masie Cochran has joined Tin House Books as an associate editor, acquiring high-end women’s fiction, literary fiction, crime, narrative nonfiction, memoirs, and southern fiction. Most recently she worked for Inkwell Management. CEO of yet-to-be-launched Bookish Caroline Marks was relieved of duty the week before last, according to one source. Otherwise, we’re continuing our standing policy that reporting on the venture or tracking ever-changing […]
Kohn’s Komic Appeal
Here are all seven pages of Bob Kohn’s graphic appeal reply (or just download the PDF).
Kohn Aims for Last Laugh In Settlement Appeal
While Judge Denise Cote effectively ran out the clock on businessman and attorney Bob Kohn’s effort to obtain an emergency stay of imposition of the ebook pricing settlement, in the second round of Kohn’s attempt to appeal the settlement, he hold more cards than the judge. While Kohn filed his response Thursday night as directed to objections from the Department of Justice and the three Settlers, at this stage of proceedings, all he really needs is a ruling. If Judge Cote grants him standing, his appeal goes forward, but even if she denies his request, once that denial is entered, […]
People, Etc.
Bloomsbury India will start publishing in November, drawing on titles from the company’s UK and US lists. Rajiv Beri is managing director; Diya KarHazra is trade publisher, and Amit Bhatia is academic and professional publisher. Douglas Markham, recently fired by Books-a-Million from his position as evp and chief administrative officer, alleges through attorney Mark White that “for some time, BAMM has made it known to our client that the company did not support his service to the US Navy.” Markham is a captain, and as BAMM had reported previously, was on leave for part of 2009 while on active duty […]
Penguin Sues MacAdam/Cage For Licensing Vreeland eBook Rights They Never Legally Acquired
A case quietly filed in New York Supreme Court this summer demonstrates the perils of issuing previously published works as ebooks without all parties being crystal clear on who controls those rights. At issue is the ebook edition of Susan Vreeland’s 1999 bestseller GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE, originally published by McMurray & Beck (later absorbed into MacAdam/Cage). In the breach of contract complaint filed on June 20, the novel’s paperback publisher Penguin is suing MacAdam/Cage, alleging the small press licensed Penguin ebook rights that they did not control. The original licensing agreement between Penguin and McMurray & Beck made no […]