When Judge Robert Patterson barred publication of RDR Books’ THE HARRY POTTER LEXICON, his ruling made it clear that the biggest problem was the lifting of JK Rowling’s words and the “almost wholesale” incorporation of information in the two minor charity companion books, Fantastic Beasts and Quidditch Through the Ages. The publisher and author have done the sensible thing–rewrite the book, using Judge Patterson’s decision as “rule book.” They will issue the revised Lexicon in January, with the new subtitle, An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials. RDR has withdrawn its appeal of the court’s ruling, a […]
HMH Speaks: "Streamlining" Underway, with "Reduction of Some [Hundreds of?] Positions"
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt confirmed today “it is moving forward with the planned combination of various of its businesses into a new K-12 organization comprised of School Publishers, Holt McDougal, Supplemental Publishers, Heinemann, HMH Learning Technology and International Publishers. These businesses were brought together with the acquisition of Harcourt by Houghton Mifflin in December 2007, and the integration process has been underway since that time.” They note that “the streamlining of the business will result in the elimination of some positions, even as new roles are created that will let the company serve educators and students in new and unique ways.” […]
Favorite Books: LAT; Sunday Times; Stephen King
“The Times’ book staff offers 50 picks in fiction and nonfiction, as well as asking its online columnists to weigh in with their choices in mysteries, science fiction, children’s and more.”LAT In London, the Sunday Times has also posted their books of the year package. They name Toni Morrison’s A MERCY as novel of the year.Times And in Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King lists his ten (or so) favorite reads and emphasizes the value that books deliver: “Books are still the best bang for your entertainment buck, and 2008 was a great year for reading. Below are my personal best for […]
January 2009 Indie Next List
Beat the Reaper: A Novel by Josh BazellSing Them Home by Stephanie KallosThe Little Giant of Aberdeen County: A Novel by Tiffany BakerTwo Rivers: A Novel by T. GreenwoodStill Alice: A Novel by Lisa GenovaThe Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel by Elle NewmarkA Day and a Night and a Day: A Novel by Glen DuncanBone by Bone by Carol O’ConnellShelter Me by Juliette FayTinkers by Paul HardingCouch by Benjamin ParzybokNever Tell a Lie: A Novel of Suspense by Hallie EphronThe Piano Teacher: A Novel by Janice Y.K. LeeDaemon by Daniel SuarezMiles From Nowhere by Nami MunGoing to See the […]
Awards: Longlist for Best Translated Book of 2008
Open Letter has posted a list of 25 contenders for the best translated book of 2008 (into English), which makes a fine guide to recently-published literature from around the world. Ten finalists will be named in late January 27, with the winning titles announced on February 19th at a party at the Melville House offices.Open Letter
Greyish Thursday: Add to Your List
– HarperCollins “plans to delay pay increases until after July 1, 2009…a response to the U.S. recession, according to spokesperson Erin Crum, Bloomberg reports. “HarperCollins hasn’t decided whether to eliminate jobs, she said.”Bloomberg – “Last month, John Sargent, chief executive of Macmillan, whose publishing houses include Farrar, Straus and Giroux and St. Martin’s Press, said in a companywide meeting that he could not guarantee that everyone would have a job going forward. Mr. Sargent declined to comment.” – Pearson has a companywide freeze on nearly all raises, which includes Penguin. – Bowker announced internally a restructuring in “a couple of […]