Sales at Lagardere Publishing of 433 million euros fell 6.5 percent in the first quarter (ending March 31), attributed to the “expected erosion” in sales of Stephenie Meyer books. Digital book sales, however, were “buoyant,” comprising “some 8 percent” of US revenues in the first quarter. The company says that “the current pace of growth in digital books – in particular with the arrival of the iPad” could wind up having “a very slightly positive effect” on their full-year earnings. In the short term, the publication of Meyer’s novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner on June 5 “is […]
Angry Robot Imprint Sold to Osprey
In a strangely-worded press release that makes you struggle to sort out what has happened, Harper UK’s science fiction imprint Angry Robot Books, started a year ago, has been sold to Osprey Publishing. Osprey focuses on niche communities, like military history. Angry Robot publisher Marc Gascoigne says the publishing program will be unaffected–except for a delay and relaunch. “Our publishing programme for 2010/11 will be basically unaffected by these changes. There will be a short break while the transition is sorted out, but we will be re-launching in September 2010 and then it will be business as usual.” Terms were […]
Briefs: Quirk Moves Distribution; Ingram Thanks Relief Contributors
Quirk Books will move their sales and distribution to Random House Publisher Services as of January 1, ending a nine-year relationship with Chronicle Books. Publisher David Borgenicht says “We’ve had an incredible partnership with Chronicle Books since we launched the Quirk Books list in 2002. Together, we have created many publishing successes, and I am grateful to have been able to team up with them. In this ever-changing publishing landscape, our new relationship with Random House will open up new and significant opportunities while building upon our previous achievements.” At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Kate Angelella has been promoted to […]
People, Etc.
Serena Jones has just joined Times Books as an editor. Most recently she worked for the Collins division of HarperCollins and before that she was at Simon & Schuster. Leigh Marchant will join the Random House publishing group as associate director of Marketing, responsible for trade paperback marketing, reporting to Sanyu Dillon. Marchant has been at Barnes & Noble for the past 5 years as co-op account manager in the merchandising department. Hampton Roads Publishing Company has appointed Linda Biagi of Biagi Rights Management to handle foreign language, large print, audio, and paperback reprint licensing. Biagi has also been named […]
Bookstore Holds Firm Over Rove Appearance
Milwaukee’s Next Chapter Bookshop has taken fire from some people after announcing an appearance later this month by Karl Rove as he tours for Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight. The Journal-Sentinel reports on owner Lanora Hurley responding by explaining the mission of a bookstore: “I just wanted to say to you that the whole point of an independent bookstore is to be a place that protects the First Amendment and allows the public to have access to whatever (legal) materials they would like. I do not agree with every author that comes to my […]
Lunch Weekly for Monday, May 10
Deal Reports Just e-mail to deals@PublishersMarketplace if you aren’t using the online form linked below. Report a deal using the online form The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut Bonnie Nadzam’s LAMB, tracing the monstrous transformation of a middle-aged man […]