Tin House Books editor and associate publisher Lee Montgomery is “leaving to pursue independent book projects and resume her own writing career.” She has been with Tin House enterprises since 2001. Editor-in-chief and publisher of Tin House magazine Win McCormack and magazine editor since Tin House’s inception in 1999 Rob Spillman will oversee the book program during the transition. The company promises that Tin House Books “will continue and expand its commitment to publishing the high-quality and unique books for which it has become known.” Loren Chaves will join Simon & Schuster on January 17 as national account manager for Levy […]
Random House Canada Becomes Sole Owner of McClelland & Stewart
Random House Canada has acquired the University of Toronto’s 75 percent share in McClelland & Stewart, making RHC the sole owner of the storied Canadian house. Apparently the University has handed over their interest, telling us in a statement that “the University is not receiving any financial compensation.” They write that “publishing is not a core business of the University of Toronto,” and that “the Canadian government has authorized the sale of McClelland & Stewart to Random House. As a result, UofT is able to divest itself of its shares in the company. The University has used its ownership position […]
Bookselling: Kepler’s In Search of New Business Model As Clark Kepler Looks to Retirement
Clark Kepler, 53, intends to retire from Menlo Park, CA-based bookstore Kepler’s after 32 years as manager, with the store’s 30 employees “very much involved in the change process to redefine Kepler’s and their jobs, so the final outcome of the new model will be determined by all of the stakeholders, including the employees.” Kepler’s nearly closed for good in 2005 until they raised nearly $1 million from investors and enrolled thousands of “supporting members,” but the store is still “barely breaking even,” despite having expanded event store space (including charging for events), among other changes. The Almanac News reports […]
AAR Advises Agents Engaging In ePublishing
After a year in which a number of agents began helping their clients epublish directly and through non-traditional intermediaries, the Association of Authors’ Representatives has begun the new year by underscoring a few core principles to their members in an e-mail sent last week. AAR vp (and head of DeFiore and Company) Brian DeFiore tells us that “what was sent to member agents was a clarification to answer some questions that have come up.” As a matter of policy, their basic position is that “the fiduciary responsibility of the member to the client does not change” and the canon as […]
E Ink Sales Drop Far More Than Expected; Kickstarter Funds Over $5 Million of Publishing
E Ink Holdings surprised Asian stock markets Monday with worse-than-expected December sales, with the company’s shares dropping the maximum allowed in a single day. December sales declined 55 percent from the prior month, and were down 57 percent compared to December 2010. November’s sales were 33 percent lower than October, but chairman Scott Liu indicated that all of their holiday orders had been shipped early “in response to customer demands,” with “a portion of November orders [going out] in October, which contributed to the fact that November sales revenues were lower than earlier expectations. But December’s sales were far below […]
People: Chase, Farley, Ditlow, Deen and More
Farley Chase has formed Chase Literary Agency after nearly eight years as a literary agent with the Waxman Literary Agency. He will continue to represent the foreign rights for The Waxman Literary Agency. Former president and publisher of Macmillan Children’s Dan Farley is joining education technology platform startup SwoopThat as a principal and evp, business development. SwoopThat aims to increase textbook affordability for students and enhance college bookstore revenues by helping them adjust to the quickly changing coursebook market. “This is a venture that can, proverbially, make a difference. And, it’s fresh, exciting, and full of opportunity,” Farley said in note to colleagues. He […]