It took almost a year before The Penguin Book of Canadian Short Stories ignited debate, but now that it has it’s provoked another round of discussion in the ongoing Canadian literature culture wars. In response to anthology editor Jane Urquhart’s selections for the anthology and her admission in the book’s introduction of a “nagging suspicion that perhaps I was not the person best suited to the task,” two literary magazines – The New Quarterly and Canadian Notes and Queries – have joined forces to celebrate a Salon des Refusés, featuring stories by 20 writers (10 in each magazine) not included […]
Tan, Houellebecq Venture Outside Novel Territory
There’s been much ink spilled over the past few days about the San Francisco Opera’s upcoming production of Amy Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter, with Tan writing the libretto herself after director Stuart Wallace “badgered” her into it, saying the novel “must be an opera.” As for her hopes for the opera, she tells Newsweek “part of it has been fulfilled already, as I’ve had this amazing musical experience. If people respond enthusiastically, I’ll be grateful. But even terrible reviews cannot diminish its success for me personally. It will hurt, but I won’t regret doing what’s been so fulfilling.” Meanwhile, reactions […]
Announcements
Bertelsmann DirectGroup announced yesterday that Najafi Companies has completed the closing of its acquisition of the North American book clubs and that effective immediately, the company’s new corporate name is Direct Brands, Inc. Consumer brand names such as Columbia House and BMG will remain unaffected. Oxford University Press has appointed Scott Kuem as Senior Vice President and CFO. Previously he was with the Neilsen Company. Also at OUP, Peter Berkery will be joining as Vice President and Law Publisher from Wolters Kluwer, effective August 18, and Julie Marshall has been named Retail Sales Director of the company. At Rizzoli, David […]
Coffee and Crime at Starbucks in Germany
Shelf Awareness points to how Starbucks is promoting books outside of the United States. In cooperation with Diogenes Verlag, Starbucks is putting on a Mystery Festival Coffee & Crime program that consists of 11 readings in nine cities featuring six mystery authors and an audiobook narrator (reading Georges Simenon books). Another 125 German Starbucks will feature a “reference library” of works by the authors and information about the readings. The difference? German Starbucks stores will not be selling any of the Diogenes titles, instead advising customers to visit their local bookstores. Schweizer Buchhandel (via Shelf Awareness)
A Note from the Substitute Chef
Sarah Weinman here, returning to Publishers Lunch for the next couple of weeks while the head chef is away. And since my own news-gathering skills may not pick up everything that merits inclusion, please send on tips, suggestions and comments until August 21 to marketplacetips@gmail.com.
Profile Books Remains Upbeat in Face of Profit Decline
For the fiscal year ending in March 2008, Profile Books reported a turnover of £7.58m and net assets increased by 18%, down from 2007’s turnover of £9.09m and 23% net asset increase. Pre-tax profit came in at £1.03m euros and operating profits were £770,000, down more than half from 2007. The publisher cited a lack of a number one bestseller for the downturn from last year’s “exceptional” figures. Managing director Andrew Franklin said: “These are very pleasing figures. Some years we publish a runaway bestseller and it’s a fabulous bonus when we do, but even without one these results show […]