Rizzoli is forming a new unit to expand their business in museum-related publishing called Skira Rizzoli International Publications Inc. Massimo Vitta Zelman has the post of chairman at the new company and longtime Rizzoli New York Publisher Charles Miers serves as president. Karen Hansgen joins the company as associate publisher of Skira Rizzoli. She has been director of publications at the New Museum of Contemporary Art and at the International Center of Photography in New York, and previously worked as a book packager. Launching in fall 2009, the company will publish for the English speaking market, and will coordinate international […]
Vig v. Dykstra
Literary agent David Vigliano has sued former client Lenny Dykstra, claiming “he lent Dykstra $250,000 last May with an agreement Dykstra would pay him $300,000 by early November,” the NY Post reports. They add that “according to the lawsuit, Vigliano was to receive a $300,000 payment after Dykstra sold some $23 million in notes tied to his former car wash franchise businesses. Vigliano claims he kept a $106,000 book advance that was supposed to go to Dykstra. As a result, the ex-ballplayer owes the literary agent $194,000.” Dykstra made a deal to write a book based on financial advice he […]
Previewing Canada's Second Book Fair
Reed Exhibitions is to present its vision to publishers today for a consumer-focused book show to be held in Toronto, likely on a weekend in early October “at an indoor venue on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds,” the Globe and Mail reports. They add, “The fair is Reed’s response to what has long been a major criticism of BookExpo and its predecessor – that they haven’t been inclusive enough, restricting their buzz to exhibitors and publishers to the exclusion of the public and thereby failing to drive sales.” It also comes as BEC–their Canadian trade show–continues to lose support, most […]
New York Judge Rejects Amazon Tax Suit
Judge Eileen Bransten dismissed lawsuits by Amazon and Overstock challenging New York State’s Commission-Agreement Provision that levies sales tax on internet sellers who have affiliate relationships with people and companies in the state. Bransten found that the law “does not broadly tax any and all Internet sales to New York consumers. It requires a substantial nexus between an out-of-state seller and New York through a contract to pay commissions for referrals with a New York resident along with realization of more than $10,000 of revenue from New York sales earned through the arrangement. The neutral statute simply obligates out-of-state sellers […]
Pershing Installs New Chairman at Borders
Pershing Square executive Richard “Mick” Maguire will become non-executive chairman of the board of directors at Borders, taking over from Larry Pollock, the company announced this morning. McGuire joined the board in January 2008 “in connection with his role as a partner at Pershing Square Capital Management,” and he is leaving the investment firm now “to pursue entrepreneurial interests.” Pollock will remain on the board, and Mike Archbold moves up to lead director. The NYT, which had an advance look at the announcement, confirms in its story that new ceo Ron Marshall was recruited by Maguire. Borders “has been working […]
No More Multiple Offers from Random House Canada Imprints
Quill & Quire says that “Random House of Canada will no longer allow its individual imprints – namely Random House Canada, Knopf Canada, and Doubleday Canada – to make offers on the same titles.” Now “only one division will be given the go-ahead to pursue a book.” RH Canada president Brad Martin says he will be joined by executive publisher of Knopf Canada Louise Dennys and Doubleday Canada publisher Maya Mavjee on a committee that will decide which imprint gets to bid based on “who needs [the book], who wants it, and who can bring the best possible focus to […]