Macmillan ceo John Sargent wrote to agents earlier this week to present for the first time a new standardized boilerplate contract across all of the trade publisher’s imprints and divisions that the company intends to introduce as of November 9, featuring a number of comprehensive changes in their basic business terms. The goal, he writes, is “to facilitate a more efficient contracting process, for ourselves as well as for our authors and their agents, and to make sure our author agreements reflect current business realities.” One notable effect, as agent Richard Curtis underscores on his blog, is a proposed new […]
Short Stories
Two forthcoming books make the gossip columns. Andrew Morton’s book on Angelina Jolie alleges that she slept with her mom’s boyfriend when she was 16. And pre-release excerpts from Andre Agassi’s book indicate he says he “unwittingly” took crystal meth once in 1997 when he drank from a soda that his assistant had spiked with the substance (and lied to tennis authorities about it). In the face of speculation that an extension of the sale option granted to Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler on their remaining 25 percent stake in the publisher means the BBC is preparing to […]
Palin Discloses $1.25 Million from HarperCollins
In a disclosure form required under Alaska law covering her final months in office, from January through July 26, 2009, former governor Sarah Palin listed as income $1.25 million received from HarperCollins as a “retainer for book.” You can do your own math as to which portion of the contractual guarantee that might cover. Palin’s deal with Harper was announced in May.Alaska Politics Blog
Steve Rubin to Lead Holt
Former Doubleday Broadway publisher and then publisher-at-large for Random House Inc. Steve Rubin will take over as president and publisher of Henry Holt on November 2, reporting to Macmillan ceo John Sargent. Dan Farley, who has run Holt since early 2008, will focus exclusively on his other job as president and publisher of the recently-formed Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, also still reporting to Sargent. Sargent says in the announcement: “I have long admired Steve and what he has accomplished at Doubleday. He is a rare publishing talent. With Holt’s long and prestigious history and Steve’s remarkable taste and track record […]
Harper Launches Vaynerchuk Vook–More Features, At 60% of Hardcover Price
Vook has partnered with Harper Studio and author Gary Vaynerchuk on their latest production, a version of the recently-published CRUSH IT! that may be the most natural pairing of book material and short videos. While the price point is higher than the inaugural Vooks released by Atria recently, at $11.99 the Vaynerchuk Vook offers the complete text of the book along with 17 videos for much less than the $19.99 book. And video is Vaynerchuk’s natural medium, from the Wine Library videos that built his reputation to his obscenity-sprinkled motivational presentations of his rise to success. Harper Studio associate publisher […]
People and Distribution News
At the Simon & Schuster imprint, both Kerri Kolen and Sarah Hochman have been promoted to senior editor. Both started at S&S as editorial assistants, Kolen in 2002 and Hochman in 2004. As publisher David Rosenthal notes, “That each has risen through the ranks here is a tribute to the strength of this imprint, and its collegiality. It is also, of course, a recognition of the diligence and creativity of Kerri and Sarah – I am very proud of their growth as editors and publishers, their contributions to our list.” At Adams Media, Chelsea King is moving over to become […]