Twelve publisher Jon Karp tells the AP that the ebook version of Ted Kennedy’s TRUE COMPASS has been postponed “indefinitely,” calling it a “business decision.” He says the move “does not reflect any larger corporate policy,” saying “we felt that this particular hardcover edition of True Compass deserves to be the first and pre-eminent format for the book.” At the same time, Karp also comments, “You don’t expect a first-run movie to be available on cable the first weekend.” HBG USA ceo David Young reiterates the concerns expressed by his boss Arnaud Nourry recently, saying “I don’t think there’s a […]
Judge Clears Seinfeld On Infringement, But Libel Claim Could Continue
New York District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain rejected author Missy Chase Lapine’s charges of copyright and trademark infringement against Jessica Seinfeld, and she found the plaintiff’s book dowdy, too. Swain called Lapine’s Sneaky Chef “a dry, rather text-heavy work” and said “the tone of the book is less collegial than it is informative and lecturing,” while terming Seinfeld’s cookbook “bright and cheerful, full of different colors and various patterns…. Deceptively Delicious targets the average busy parent with little to no cooking skill or experience.” But Judge Swain declined to rule on the libel charges against Jerry Seinfeld stemming from […]
Will Balliett to Take Over from Peter Warner at Thames & Hudson
Illustrated books publisher Thames & Hudson announced that Peter Warner is retiring after 30 years as the company’s president. Current Hyperion editor-in-chief Will Balliett will take over as president and publisher, starting in October. In other personnel news, Caleb Seeling WordServe Literary Group as an agent. He was a senior editor at NavPress. In the UK, the Bookseller reports that Anthony Cheetham will run Atlantic Books’ Corvus imprint. Started by his son Nicolas Cheetham as a crime/thriller line, Corvus will expand to include contract publishing and women’s fiction. Catherine Cobain will join Transworld as editorial director in November, “with special […]
Google Tells Congress They'll Let Anyone Sell Settlement Books
Google svp and chief legal officer announced before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday (in parallel with a posting on the company’s public policy blog) “that for the out-of-print books being made available through the Google Books settlement, we will let any book retailer sell access to those books. Google will host the digital books online, and retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your local bookstore will be able to sell access to users on any Internet-connected device they choose. Retailers can also pursue their own digitization efforts of out-of-print books in parallel. In essence, this extends our […]
Frankfurt Addresses China Symposium Controversy
Frankfurt Book Fair director Juergen Boos has posted two letters on the fair’s web site regarding the handling of this weekend’s pre-Fair two-day academic symposium, China and the World – Perceptions and Realities. He writes in the newest posting, “I very much regret and am personally angered by the fact that it has come to this in the run-up to the event – to unnecessary mistakes and compromises in the organization and communication of the symposium on our part. This has also led to misunderstandings and agitation in the public debate.” Boos adds, “I assure you that the Frankfurt Book […]
Bookselling: Co-Op Signs Lease for Old Schwartz Space But Still Needs Funds
The Open Book co-operative has signed a one-year lease to take over a former Harry Schwartz bookstore space–but a spokesman says “we’re about halfway there” in raising the money needed to actually open a store. They say they have raised about $50,000, and are hoping news of the lease encourage more supporters to come forward. The group is hoping to be able to open a store in the 10,000-square-foot space by November.