Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Riverhead Names Rebecca
Saletan Editorial Director
New York, New York (Authorlink News, January 27, 2009)--Geoffrey Kloske, Vice President and Publisher of Riverhead Books, today announced that Rebecca Saletan has been appointed Editorial Director of Riverhead Books. Ms. Saletan was most recently Senior Vice President and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. At Riverhead, she will primarily concentrate on acquiring and editing a broad range of narrative nonfiction, in such areas as science, travel, natural history, current affairs, the environment and food, as well as literary fiction. Her appointment is effective March 2, 2009.
Mr. Kloske commented, “I’m very pleased to welcome an editor of Becky’s exceptional talent and breadth of experience to Riverhead’s outstanding editorial team. Her ability to find and develop both thought-provoking nonfiction and distinctive literary fiction is highly-regarded throughout the industry. She will be a great fit with Riverhead’s top-tier editors, who have been so successful at building the Riverhead brand and adding to our impressive list of bestselling, award-winning authors.”
Ms. Saletan said, “I feel lucky beyond measure to be joining Riverhead, an imprint whose books I have long admired and whose success I have long envied, and to be joining a company whose strength, forward-thinking, and commitment to the business of books are a model to the industry.”
Ms. Saletan has a strong track record for acquiring and editing extraordinary authors and books that get at the currents under the surface of daily life with imagination and force. Of particular note: Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist, which was a New York Times bestseller and shortlisted for the 2007 Man Booker Prize; Rory Stewart’s The Places in Between, a New York Times bestseller; and Ivan Doig’s The Whistling Season and The Eleventh Man. She also was the editor of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 1996 New York Times bestseller, It Takes a Village. In prior positions, she worked with such distinguished, critically acclaimed authors as Philip Roth, Peter Matthiessen, and William Langewiesche.
Ms. Saletan joined Harcourt in 2004 as Editor in Chief and was soon promoted to Associate Publisher, then Publisher, a title she continued to hold at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt after the two companies were brought together in 2008. Before coming to Harcourt, she was Editorial Director at North Point Press and Senior Editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux. She was previously Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster, after holding various editorial positions at Random House. She began her publishing career at Yale University Press after graduating from Yale with a B.A. degree.
Riverhead Books is a distinguished and critically acclaimed imprint of Penguin Group (USA). It is home to many New York Times-bestselling and award-winning authors, including Khaled Hosseini, Junot Díaz, Kathleen Norris, James McBride, Daniel Pink, Nick Hornby, Sarah Vowell, Shalom Auslander, Dinaw Mengestu and Aleksander Hemon, among others.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
McGraw-Hill Shows
Dramatic Declines in 2008
NEW YORK, NY (Authorlink News, January 27, 2009)--McGraw-Hill today reported 2008 reported a 21.1% decline in net income to $799.5 million and a 6.2% decline in revenues for 2008 to $6.4 billion. The sharp declines included a pre-tax restructuring charge of 473.4 million ($45.9 million after tax). The company reduced employee incentives and took serious steps to restructure, thus cutting expenses for 2008 by 2.5% or $126.2 million.
"Cost containment was a priority for us in 2008 and will be again in 2009," said Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "The 2008 results reflect cost reduction actions and the strategic value of a resilient portfolio of products and services in the midst of a recession.
"S&P Investment Services produced a double-digit revenue gain in 2008 to help cushion the impact of the year-long credit crunch on Financial Services. A very good fourth quarter in the U.S. college and university business and a stellar performance in the state new adoption market were offsetting factors in a softening school education market. In the business-to-business market, we clearly benefited from the strength of our news and pricing services for global energy markets.
"In the fourth quarter of 2008, diluted earnings per share of $0.37 reflected a pre-tax restructuring charge of $26.3 million ($16.4 million after tax, or $0.05 per diluted share) and a $66.5 million reduction in incentive compensation. In the fourth quarter of 2007, diluted earnings per share of $0.43 included an $0.08 restructuring charge.
"Total expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased by 8.9%, or $118.3 million. The $66.5 million reduction in incentive compensation, savings from ongoing restructuring activities, and a $17.4 million reduction in restructuring charges as well as favorable foreign exchange were the primary drivers.
"Net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 declined 17.6% to $115.9 million. Revenue decreased 9.8% to $1.4 billion.
The company’s overall Education segment decreased by 2.5% to $2.6 billion compared to 2007, while the McGraw-Hill School Education Group’s declined by 5.4% and the Higher Education, Professional and International Group saw a slight revenue increase of 0.9% to $1.3 billion for the year.
"The bright spot,” said McGraw, “was in the elementary-high school business in 2008 with the state new adoption market, which exceeded our earlier projection of $925 to $950 million and grew by approximately 20% over 2007 to an estimated $980 million. The McGraw-Hill School Education Group captured approximately 30% of the total dollars available in this market during 2008, helped by strong performances from our K-5 reading and math programs in key adoption states.
"Despite the excellent results in the state new adoption market, the McGraw-Hill School Education Group's overall revenue performance was blunted by declines in residual sales across both the adoption states and the open territory and by weakness in the supplemental market.
"The softness that hit the school market last August continued into the fourth quarter, as school districts postponed scheduled adoptions of new instructional programs, cut back orders for residual materials, and reduced or eliminated purchasing of other products and services, especially those in the supplemental category. Worsening economic conditions facing large urban school districts were exacerbated by a sharp reduction in Federal funding for Reading First programs. As a result, we expect to see a decline of about 4% in the total school market when industry sales statistics for 2008 are released.
"Our testing business was particularly challenged as custom contract revenue decreased for the year and the fourth quarter due to lower volumes of work on several contracts as well as the discontinuation of two contracts that had contributed income in 2007. The decrease in custom contract revenue in the fourth quarter and for 2008 was partially offset by growing sales for our new generation of non-custom or "off-the-shelf" products, notably Acuity, our formative testing program; LAS Links, our assessment series for English-language learners; and our TABE assessments and instructional resources for adult students.
"In the McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Professional and International Group, growth in the U.S. college and university market and a modest gain internationally offset a decline in professional markets during 2008.
"A pick up in our college sales that started in September continued into the fourth quarter. Although we outperformed the industry in the fourth quarter, our improved performance did not match the college market's estimated 3.0% gain in 2008.
"Best sellers for higher education in the fourth quarter were:
• Lucas, The Art of Public Speaking, 10/e,
• Garrison, Managerial Accounting, 12/e,
• Nickels, Understanding Business, 8/e,
• Ober, Keyboarding, 10/e,
• Knorre, Puntos de Partida, 8/e.
"In both the higher education and professional markets, digital products and services produced double-digit gains for the year and the fourth quarter. Homework management products and eBooks contributed to the increase in higher education revenue. At the end of 2008, we had 741 titles available on CourseSmart, the industry's eBook Web site. In professional markets, our digital business benefited from strong renewals, increased subscriptions from international customers and new product releases.
"In the professional market, our success in producing several best-sellers and the growth of our digital product revenue was offset by reduced ordering of new and backlist titles by major national booksellers in response to cutbacks in consumer spending.
"Best-sellers in the professional market for the fourth quarter:
• Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 2009, 48/e,
• First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, 2009,
• Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson et al,
• Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott,
• Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition.
"The shortfall in international sales in the fourth quarter was mainly due to weakening economic conditions in our Spanish-language markets. For 2008, the increase in international sales was primarily driven by our success with English-language products, particularly for the higher education market, in India, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Outlook: "2008 was a challenging year. We expect 2009 also to be challenging, given the tight credit markets, budget pressures on the state and local governments, reduced state new adoption opportunities and a weak advertising market. The diversity and breadth of our portfolio leaves us well positioned for when the economic environment improves.
"We expect consolidated 2009 revenue to decline 1% to 2% from 2008 and 2009 earnings per diluted share to range from $2.20 to $2.30," McGraw concluded.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Amazon to Cut Microsoft,
Adobe E-Book Formats
Wow! This quiet announcement could have huge effects on authors and publishers. We'll report more information as we get it.
SEATTLE, WA. (Authorlink News, January 26, 2009)—Amazon will no longer offer e-books in Microsoft Reader and Adobe e-book formats. Soon, the online retail giant will offer e-books only in the Kindle and Mobipocket formats, both of which are owned by Amazon. The Kindle format provides wireless download to Amazon’s Kindle readers, and Mobipocket allows consumers to read e-books on a number of handheld mobile devices.
The move could send agents, authors, and publishers on a mad scramble to make sense of their evolving e-book contracts.
Amazon alerted publishers and authors in a memo this week, but did not say how long it will continue to offer Adobe PDF and Microsoft formats on its site. The company already offers bout 200,000 titles for Kindle readers, and will encourage more customers to buy e-books through Mobipocket.
No other information is available at this time.
ALSC Announces Newbery,
Caldecott Award Winners
DENVER, CO. (Authorlink News, January 26, 2009)--The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) announced at its mid-winter conference, held January 23-29 in Denver. In order to post the winning information quickly, the ALSC provided a straight list of 2009 ALSC award winners, including book title, author, and publisher. Additional information, including annotations and book cover images for each award-winning title, will be posted to the individual award pages on the Association’s website as soon as possible.
Newbery Medal
"The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman, HarperCollins Children's Books
Newbery Honor Books
"The Underneath" by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
"The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom" by Margarita Engle, Henry Holt and Company, LLC
"Savvy" by Ingrid Law, Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC
"After Tupac and D Foster" by Jacqueline Woodson, G.P. Putnam's Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers
Caldecott Medal
"The House in the Night," illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Susan Marie Swanson, Houghton Mifflin Co.
Caldecott Honor Books
"A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever" by Marla Frazee, Harcourt, Inc.
"How I Learned Geography" by Uri Shulevitz, Farrar Straus Giroux
"A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams," illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer
Kathleen T. Horning, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Batchelder Award
Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., publisher of "Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit" by Nahoko Uehashi, translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano
Batchelder Honor Books
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., publisher of "Garmann's Summer" written and illustrated by Stian Hole, translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett
Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., publisher of "Tiger Moon" written by Antonia Michaelis, translated from the German by Anthea Bell
Belpré Author Award
"The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom" by Margarita Engle, published by Henry Holt
Belpré Author Honor Books
"Just in Case" by Yuyi Morales, a Neal Porter Book published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
"Reaching Out" by Francisco Jiménez, Houghton Mifflin Co.
"The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos" by Lucia Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre, Children's Book Press
Belpré Illustrator Award
"Just in Case" by Yuyi Morales, a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership Press
Belpré Illustrator Honor Books
"Papa and Me" illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Arthur Dorros, Rayo, and imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
"The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos" illustrated by Lulu Delacre, written by Lucia Gonzalez, Children's Book Press
"What Can You Do with a Rebozo" illustrated by Amy Cordova, written by Carmen Tafolla, Tricycle Press, an imprint of Ten Speed Press
Carnegie Medal
Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly, Weston Woods Studios, producers of "March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World"
Geisel Award
"Are You Ready to Play Outside?" written and illustrated by Mo Willems, Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Geisel Honor Books
"Chicken Said, 'Cluck!'" written by Judyann Ackerman Grant, illustrated by Sue Truesdell, HarperCollins Children's Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers
"One Boy" written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, a Neal Porter Book published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
"Stinky" written and illustrated by Eleanor Davis, The Little Lit Library, a division of RAW Junior, LLC
"Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator" written by Sarah C. Campbell, photographs by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell, Boyds Mills Press
Odyssey Award
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," written and narrated by Sherman Alexie, produced by Recorded Books, LLC
Odyssey Honor Audiobooks
"Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady," written by L.A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren, produced by Listen and Live Audio, Inc.
"Elijah of Buxton" written by Christopher Paul Curtis, narrated by Mirron Willis, produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group
"I'm Dirty" written by Kate and Jim McMullan, narrated by Steve Buscemi, produced by Weston Woods Studios, Inc./Scholastic
"Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale" written and narrated by Carmen Agra Deedy, produced by Peachtree Publishers
"Nation" written by Terry Pratchett, narrated by Stephen Briggs, produced by Harper Children's Audio/HarperCollins Publishers
Sibert Medal
"We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball" written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Sibert Honor Books
"Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and Rediscovery of the Past" written by James M. Deem, Houghton Mifflin Company
"What to Do about Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!" written by Barbara Kerley, illusrated by Edwin Fotheringham, Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Wilder Medal
Ashley Bryan, author and illustrator of numerous books, including "Dancing Granny," "Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum" and "Beautiful Blackbird."
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. From creative programming and best practices to continuing education and professional connections—ALSC members are innovators in the field of children's library service.
ALSC's network includes more than 4,200 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults dedicated to creating a better future for children through libraries.
Newbery Medal
"The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman, HarperCollins Children's Books
Newbery Honor Books
"The Underneath" by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
"The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom" by Margarita Engle, Henry Holt and Company, LLC
"Savvy" by Ingrid Law, Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC
"After Tupac and D Foster" by Jacqueline Woodson, G.P. Putnam's Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers
Caldecott Medal
"The House in the Night," illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Susan Marie Swanson, Houghton Mifflin Co.
Caldecott Honor Books
"A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever" by Marla Frazee, Harcourt, Inc.
"How I Learned Geography" by Uri Shulevitz, Farrar Straus Giroux
"A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams," illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer
Kathleen T. Horning, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Batchelder Award
Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., publisher of "Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit" by Nahoko Uehashi, translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano
Batchelder Honor Books
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., publisher of "Garmann's Summer" written and illustrated by Stian Hole, translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett
Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., publisher of "Tiger Moon" written by Antonia Michaelis, translated from the German by Anthea Bell
Belpré Author Award
"The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom" by Margarita Engle, published by Henry Holt
Belpré Author Honor Books
"Just in Case" by Yuyi Morales, a Neal Porter Book published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
"Reaching Out" by Francisco Jiménez, Houghton Mifflin Co.
"The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos" by Lucia Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre, Children's Book Press
Belpré Illustrator Award
"Just in Case" by Yuyi Morales, a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership Press
Belpré Illustrator Honor Books
"Papa and Me" illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Arthur Dorros, Rayo, and imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
"The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos" illustrated by Lulu Delacre, written by Lucia Gonzalez, Children's Book Press
"What Can You Do with a Rebozo" illustrated by Amy Cordova, written by Carmen Tafolla, Tricycle Press, an imprint of Ten Speed Press
Carnegie Medal
Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly, Weston Woods Studios, producers of "March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World"
Geisel Award
"Are You Ready to Play Outside?" written and illustrated by Mo Willems, Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Geisel Honor Books
"Chicken Said, 'Cluck!'" written by Judyann Ackerman Grant, illustrated by Sue Truesdell, HarperCollins Children's Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers
"One Boy" written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, a Neal Porter Book published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
"Stinky" written and illustrated by Eleanor Davis, The Little Lit Library, a division of RAW Junior, LLC
"Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator" written by Sarah C. Campbell, photographs by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell, Boyds Mills Press
Odyssey Award
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," written and narrated by Sherman Alexie, produced by Recorded Books, LLC
Odyssey Honor Audiobooks
"Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady," written by L.A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren, produced by Listen and Live Audio, Inc.
"Elijah of Buxton" written by Christopher Paul Curtis, narrated by Mirron Willis, produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group
"I'm Dirty" written by Kate and Jim McMullan, narrated by Steve Buscemi, produced by Weston Woods Studios, Inc./Scholastic
"Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale" written and narrated by Carmen Agra Deedy, produced by Peachtree Publishers
"Nation" written by Terry Pratchett, narrated by Stephen Briggs, produced by Harper Children's Audio/HarperCollins Publishers
Sibert Medal
"We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball" written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group
Sibert Honor Books
"Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and Rediscovery of the Past" written by James M. Deem, Houghton Mifflin Company
"What to Do about Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!" written by Barbara Kerley, illusrated by Edwin Fotheringham, Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Wilder Medal
Ashley Bryan, author and illustrator of numerous books, including "Dancing Granny," "Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum" and "Beautiful Blackbird."
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. From creative programming and best practices to continuing education and professional connections—ALSC members are innovators in the field of children's library service.
ALSC's network includes more than 4,200 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults dedicated to creating a better future for children through libraries.
AAP Seeks 21st Century Solutions
New York, NY, January 26, 2009—The Association of American Publishers will host its General Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Yale Club in New York City. The meeting will center on developing “Twenty-First Century Solutions” with a focus on “convergence” and will host the leaders in the field of copyright convergence, new and old media convergence, publishing and politics convergence, and public and private partnership convergence, and their related impacts professional, trade and academic publishing.
“The business hurdles that book publishers have faced in the final weeks of 2008 alone—including the shrinking economy and competitive retail landscape, the digitization of book content, and Washington-driven enactments impacting books—have had a profound impact on the publishing community. The need to convene as senior executives for ‘big idea’ thinking, education and collaboration has reached critical mass,” said AAP President and CEO Patricia Schroeder. “We’re grateful to our speakers for coming to share their insights into the changing landscape of the publishing world with us.”
“The business hurdles that book publishers have faced in the final weeks of 2008 alone—including the shrinking economy and competitive retail landscape, the digitization of book content, and Washington-driven enactments impacting books—have had a profound impact on the publishing community. The need to convene as senior executives for ‘big idea’ thinking, education and collaboration has reached critical mass,” said AAP President and CEO Patricia Schroeder. “We’re grateful to our speakers for coming to share their insights into the changing landscape of the publishing world with us.”
Highlights of this year’s meeting include an interview with David Drummond, Senior Vice President for Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer of Google, Inc. on “21st Century Digital Solutions” and a discussion of the digital news media environment with Chief Executive Officer of Dow Jones & Company Les Hinton. At the General Annual Business Meeting Will Ethridge, President and CEO of Higher Education for International and Professional Publishing at Pearson Education, and David Young, Chairman & CEO of Hachette Book Group, are expected to take up the roles of AAP Board of Directors Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, for two-year terms. A conversation with Bob Barnett on publishing and politics will follow; he will be interviewed by Jonathan Karp, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Twelve/Hachette Book Group.
The attendance fees have been discounted from previous years, and publishers are encouraged to register early as seating is limited. To download a registration form and for current schedule of the day’s events, please visit the AAP Conferences/Publications web site at http://www.publishers.org/main/Conferences/conf_Calendar.htm.
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the
Friday, January 23, 2009
Publishers Cheer President’s
Actions to Restore Open Government
Hi All,
This is just in from the Association of American Publishers. Obama's directive will give the public greater access to government records of all kinds, including access to presidential records. We welcome your comments on whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Here's the press release:
Washington, DC, January 23, 2009— The Association of American Publishers (AAP) applauded actions taken by President Barack Obama on his first full day in office that will greatly strengthen the ability of authors and journalists to shed light on the government's actions and hold them up to public view.
In a stunning repudiation of the Bush Administration policies of stealth and secrecy, President Obama issued a directive to all departments and agencies within the Executive Branch to administer the Freedom of Information Act with a clear presumption, with respect to the release of government records, that “in the face of doubt, openness prevails.” The Obama memorandum, released on January 21, 2009, nullifies the memorandum issued by former Attorney General John Ashcroft encouraging government agencies to stonewall FOIA requests.
President Obama also issued an Executive Order overturning the Bush Executive Order limiting access to presidential records. Executive Order 13,233 issued in November 2001 gave incumbent and former presidents, vice presidents, and even members of their families veto power over the release of presidential papers, essentially overturning the Presidential Records Act, which was enacted in response to abuses of the Nixon Administration and which clearly established permanent public ownership and control of presidential papers. The publishing industry was strongly opposed to the Bush Executive Order from the outset and AAP took the lead on an amicus brief in an unsuccessful legal challenge.
“Whatever else this Administration accomplishes, history already owes President Obama a debt of gratitude for restoring the integrity of the Presidential Records Act,” said Judith Platt, who directs AAP’s Freedom to Read program. “The PRA and the Freedom of Information Act, vital tools for journalists and authors, have been undermined and treated with contempt for eight years. We’re delighted to see them made whole again.”
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP’s approximately 300 members include most of the major commercial book publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, post-secondary and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software and electronic products and services. The Association represents an industry whose very existence depends upon the free exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
This is just in from the Association of American Publishers. Obama's directive will give the public greater access to government records of all kinds, including access to presidential records. We welcome your comments on whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Here's the press release:
Washington, DC, January 23, 2009— The Association of American Publishers (AAP) applauded actions taken by President Barack Obama on his first full day in office that will greatly strengthen the ability of authors and journalists to shed light on the government's actions and hold them up to public view.
In a stunning repudiation of the Bush Administration policies of stealth and secrecy, President Obama issued a directive to all departments and agencies within the Executive Branch to administer the Freedom of Information Act with a clear presumption, with respect to the release of government records, that “in the face of doubt, openness prevails.” The Obama memorandum, released on January 21, 2009, nullifies the memorandum issued by former Attorney General John Ashcroft encouraging government agencies to stonewall FOIA requests.
President Obama also issued an Executive Order overturning the Bush Executive Order limiting access to presidential records. Executive Order 13,233 issued in November 2001 gave incumbent and former presidents, vice presidents, and even members of their families veto power over the release of presidential papers, essentially overturning the Presidential Records Act, which was enacted in response to abuses of the Nixon Administration and which clearly established permanent public ownership and control of presidential papers. The publishing industry was strongly opposed to the Bush Executive Order from the outset and AAP took the lead on an amicus brief in an unsuccessful legal challenge.
“Whatever else this Administration accomplishes, history already owes President Obama a debt of gratitude for restoring the integrity of the Presidential Records Act,” said Judith Platt, who directs AAP’s Freedom to Read program. “The PRA and the Freedom of Information Act, vital tools for journalists and authors, have been undermined and treated with contempt for eight years. We’re delighted to see them made whole again.”
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP’s approximately 300 members include most of the major commercial book publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, post-secondary and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software and electronic products and services. The Association represents an industry whose very existence depends upon the free exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
POCKET BOOKS To Co-Publish Fantasies With Juno
Here's some great news for all you fantasy writers.
New York, New York (January 19, 2009) – Louise Burke, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Pocket Books, has announced a new co-publishing agreement with Juno Books, best known for contemporary fantasy novels that emphasize strong female protagonists in richly imagined contexts. Juno will become an imprint of Pocket Books, publishing one title per month with the first release, AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti, slated for June 2009.
Juno Books began its publishing program in Fall 2006 and quickly became noted in the fantasy fiction genre for such breakout successes as Carole Nelson Douglas, Stacia Kane, and Sylvia Kelso, garnering critical acclaim for many of their titles.
“Pocket Books and Juno Books are a great fit,” said Louise Burke. “We’ve seen great growth in this category, are delighted to now have a dedicated line, and look forward to helping to cultivate a wider audience for Juno’s terrific roster of authors.”
Juno Books Editor Paula Guran said: "I'm tremendously excited about the opportunity to help take Juno to the next level through our association with Pocket Books. Both Juno and fantasy readers in general will gain immensely by sales and marketing reach of Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster, while still getting the best of our editorial sensibility."
Pocket Books Senior Editor Jennifer Heddle will work in concert with Juno Books Editor Paula Guran.
New York, New York (January 19, 2009) – Louise Burke, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Pocket Books, has announced a new co-publishing agreement with Juno Books, best known for contemporary fantasy novels that emphasize strong female protagonists in richly imagined contexts. Juno will become an imprint of Pocket Books, publishing one title per month with the first release, AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti, slated for June 2009.
Juno Books began its publishing program in Fall 2006 and quickly became noted in the fantasy fiction genre for such breakout successes as Carole Nelson Douglas, Stacia Kane, and Sylvia Kelso, garnering critical acclaim for many of their titles.
“Pocket Books and Juno Books are a great fit,” said Louise Burke. “We’ve seen great growth in this category, are delighted to now have a dedicated line, and look forward to helping to cultivate a wider audience for Juno’s terrific roster of authors.”
Juno Books Editor Paula Guran said: "I'm tremendously excited about the opportunity to help take Juno to the next level through our association with Pocket Books. Both Juno and fantasy readers in general will gain immensely by sales and marketing reach of Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster, while still getting the best of our editorial sensibility."
Pocket Books Senior Editor Jennifer Heddle will work in concert with Juno Books Editor Paula Guran.
Barnes & Noble Job Cuts Extend To Sterling Publishing
Hi Everyone,
The book industry continues to shake down into smaller staffs. Here's the latest in a string of downsizing reports.
------------
New York, NY (Authorlink News, January 20, 2009)—Barnes & Noble’s elimination of about 100 jobs at its corporate headquarters last week reportedly were due to “the reduction in store openings and consolidation of functional areas within the retail and online operations.” However, the cuts apparently have also spread to the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sterling Publishing. An estimated 15 people have been cut from Sterling’s New York office.
Philip Turner, hired in November of 2006 as publisher of one of Sterling’s largest imprints, Union Square Press, was confirmed among last week’s job casualties. When Authorlink asked Barnes & Noble whether this would mean the elimination of the imprint, spokesperson Mary Ellen Keating said, “We are not breaking out a list of employees affected nor departments. I can confirm that Union Square Press will continue.” Another source had said earlier that Union Square Press would be folded into the rest of the company and that Turner’s job had been eliminated.
Sterling an expert-driven, how-to press that had recently tried branching into other areas, has (or had) more than 50 imprints.
In a press release issued last week, Barnes & Noble CEO Steve Riggio said, “Although our people, from top to bottom, did a terrific job in managing expenses and maximizing productivity, the current business climate and the downturn in retail sales mandate that we reduce corporate overhead costs as appropriate to our overall sales volume.” He added that “. . .this is the first time in the company’s history we’ve had to do this. The business climate in which we are operating is unprecedented, and therefore, the reduction in expenses is inevitable.”
Phil Turner notified friends of his departure Friday, January 16, saying that he views the job loss as a kind of liberation. “I am ramping up what will be my
next act, and I have some concrete ideas and early prospects about how I may again do a "purpose-driven imprint," even better this time
around.” Before joining Union Square Press, Turner was with Avalon as Editor in Chief of Carroll & Graf Publishers, Philip Turner Books, and Thunder's Mouth Press.
At Union square Press, Turner was charged with publishing about forty books a year in a variety of areas, including adventure, biography, culture, current and international affairs, the environment, history, politics, social issues, and sports. He was also assigned to help create a Union Square Press paperback program focusing on revivals of important out-of-print books, reprints in trade paperback of both its own and other publishers’ titles, and quality paperback originals. Turner was to create within Union Square Press a branded line of books featuring truthtellers, whistleblowers, and muckrakers, a signature of his tenure with Avalon.
The company will be providing the affected employees with an enhanced severance plan and will offer healthcare benefits for the next 12 months. In addition, the company will be providing outplacement counseling and transition seminars.
As a result, the company will record an after-tax charge of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 799 bookstores in 50 states. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., is one of the world’s leading publishers of nonfiction titles with more than 5,000 books in print.
The book industry continues to shake down into smaller staffs. Here's the latest in a string of downsizing reports.
------------
New York, NY (Authorlink News, January 20, 2009)—Barnes & Noble’s elimination of about 100 jobs at its corporate headquarters last week reportedly were due to “the reduction in store openings and consolidation of functional areas within the retail and online operations.” However, the cuts apparently have also spread to the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sterling Publishing. An estimated 15 people have been cut from Sterling’s New York office.
Philip Turner, hired in November of 2006 as publisher of one of Sterling’s largest imprints, Union Square Press, was confirmed among last week’s job casualties. When Authorlink asked Barnes & Noble whether this would mean the elimination of the imprint, spokesperson Mary Ellen Keating said, “We are not breaking out a list of employees affected nor departments. I can confirm that Union Square Press will continue.” Another source had said earlier that Union Square Press would be folded into the rest of the company and that Turner’s job had been eliminated.
Sterling an expert-driven, how-to press that had recently tried branching into other areas, has (or had) more than 50 imprints.
In a press release issued last week, Barnes & Noble CEO Steve Riggio said, “Although our people, from top to bottom, did a terrific job in managing expenses and maximizing productivity, the current business climate and the downturn in retail sales mandate that we reduce corporate overhead costs as appropriate to our overall sales volume.” He added that “. . .this is the first time in the company’s history we’ve had to do this. The business climate in which we are operating is unprecedented, and therefore, the reduction in expenses is inevitable.”
Phil Turner notified friends of his departure Friday, January 16, saying that he views the job loss as a kind of liberation. “I am ramping up what will be my
next act, and I have some concrete ideas and early prospects about how I may again do a "purpose-driven imprint," even better this time
around.” Before joining Union Square Press, Turner was with Avalon as Editor in Chief of Carroll & Graf Publishers, Philip Turner Books, and Thunder's Mouth Press.
At Union square Press, Turner was charged with publishing about forty books a year in a variety of areas, including adventure, biography, culture, current and international affairs, the environment, history, politics, social issues, and sports. He was also assigned to help create a Union Square Press paperback program focusing on revivals of important out-of-print books, reprints in trade paperback of both its own and other publishers’ titles, and quality paperback originals. Turner was to create within Union Square Press a branded line of books featuring truthtellers, whistleblowers, and muckrakers, a signature of his tenure with Avalon.
The company will be providing the affected employees with an enhanced severance plan and will offer healthcare benefits for the next 12 months. In addition, the company will be providing outplacement counseling and transition seminars.
As a result, the company will record an after-tax charge of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 799 bookstores in 50 states. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., is one of the world’s leading publishers of nonfiction titles with more than 5,000 books in print.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Barnes & Noble Eliminates 100 Jobs
Wow! What a grueling week for the publishing industry. Not only have major publishers such as Random House restructured, but Barnes & Noble, teetering on financial troubles along with other booksellers, has now cut 100 jobs in its New York headquarters. Here's the story.
***
New York, NY (Authorlink News, January 14, 2009) - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, today announced the elimination of close to 100 positions in its corporate headquarters. The company said most of the job eliminations were due to the reduction in store openings and consolidation of functional areas within its retail and online operations.
"Although our people, from top to bottom, did a terrific job in managing expenses and maximizing productivity," said Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc., "the current business climate and the downturn in retail sales mandate that we reduce corporate overhead costs as appropriate to our overall sales volume."
"It should be noted, this is the first time in the company's history we've had to do this," Mr. Riggio added. "The business climate in which we are operating is unprecedented, and therefore, the reduction in expenses is inevitable."
Barnes & Noble has further announced that it is providing the affected employees with an enhanced severance plan, as well as offering healthcare benefits for the next 12 months. In addition, the company will be providing outplacement counseling and transition seminars. As a result, the company will record an after-tax charge of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 799 bookstores in 50 states. The company is the nation's top bookseller in quality, and for the fifth year in a row, the top bookseller brand, as determined by a combination of the brand's performance on familiarity, quality, and purchase intent, according to the EquiTrend® Brand Study by Harris Interactive®. Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web's largest e-commerce sites.
***
New York, NY (Authorlink News, January 14, 2009) - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, today announced the elimination of close to 100 positions in its corporate headquarters. The company said most of the job eliminations were due to the reduction in store openings and consolidation of functional areas within its retail and online operations.
"Although our people, from top to bottom, did a terrific job in managing expenses and maximizing productivity," said Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc., "the current business climate and the downturn in retail sales mandate that we reduce corporate overhead costs as appropriate to our overall sales volume."
"It should be noted, this is the first time in the company's history we've had to do this," Mr. Riggio added. "The business climate in which we are operating is unprecedented, and therefore, the reduction in expenses is inevitable."
Barnes & Noble has further announced that it is providing the affected employees with an enhanced severance plan, as well as offering healthcare benefits for the next 12 months. In addition, the company will be providing outplacement counseling and transition seminars. As a result, the company will record an after-tax charge of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 799 bookstores in 50 states. The company is the nation's top bookseller in quality, and for the fifth year in a row, the top bookseller brand, as determined by a combination of the brand's performance on familiarity, quality, and purchase intent, according to the EquiTrend® Brand Study by Harris Interactive®. Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web's largest e-commerce sites.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Random House Announces
Details Of Reorganization
The reorganization announced today by Random House has major implications for agents and authors. No one knows how many jobs have been cut. However, there has been a massive restructuring--probably a good thing in the long run. Here's our take on the subject.
NEW YORK, NY(Authorlink News, 1/15/2009)—Gina Centrello, Random House, Inc. President and Publisher, announced the company’s detailed reorganization plans in a company-wide memo today.
Last month Bantam Dell, Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau were merged into Random House Publishing Group. Today Centrello presented the senior management team and organizational structure of what she termed the “newly expanded” division, which she said would enable the company to carry forward the publishing traditions of Random House, Ballantine, Bantam Dell, and Spiegel & Grau.
Centrello also said, “Regrettably, with this restructuring we have had to eliminate some positions across the division. As a result, a number of our colleagues are leaving the company.” She did not, however say, how many jobs had been cut.
Publishers now reporting directly to Centrello, are:
NITA TAUBLIB is appointed Executive Vice President, Publisher, and Editor in Chief, Bantam Dell. Formerly Deputy Publisher and Editorial Director, Nita joined Bantam in 1982 and became Associate Publisher in l990. In her new role she will direct the hardcover and mass-market publishing programs of the Bantam Dell imprints—Bantam, Dell, Delacorte, Delta—as well as remain the editor of Danielle Steel and Luanne Rice. The Bantam Dell editorial department continues to report to her, as do GINA WACHTEL, who has been promoted to Vice President, Associate Publisher, and KATE MICIAK, editor of Lee Child and Lisa Gardner, promoted to Vice President, Editorial Director.
LIBBY McGUIRE, Senior Vice President, Publisher, Ballantine Books, will continue to oversee Ballantine hardcover and mass-market imprints—Ballantine, Villard, Del Rey, One World, ESPN Books, and Presidio—working closely with KIM HOVEY, Vice President, Associate Publisher, who also serves in that capacity for Trade Paperbacks under Jane von Mehren. All the Ballantine editors will continue to report to Libby, as will Editorial Director LINDA MARROW, now named Senior Vice President.
SCOTT SHANNON has been promoted to Vice President, Publisher, for Del Rey and Spectra, the industry’s two preeminent science fiction and fantasy imprints, which will remain separate lists under a single publishing management. Scott will oversee their editors, as well as those in our manga program, and will continue to report to Libby.
CINDY SPIEGEL and JULIE GRAU continue to lead Spiegel & Grau, their imprint founded in 2005, as Senior Vice Presidents and Publishers, with their editors reporting to them.
I remain Publisher of the Random House imprint, overseeing this program with my key editorial executives: KATE MEDINA, Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Executive Editorial Director, and SUSAN KAMIL, our newly appointed Senior Vice President and Editor in Chief. Reporting to Susan, in addition to the Random House imprint editors, are JENNIFER HERSHEY, Senior Vice President, Editorial Director, and JOHN FLICKER, formerly Senior Editor, Bantam Dell, who has been promoted to Executive Editor, Modern Library.
JANE VON MEHREN, Senior Vice President, Publisher, Trade Paperbacks, will take on the added responsibility for all trade paperback lines within the expanded Random House Publishing Group. The trade paperback editors will report to her, and she and they will work collaboratively with the originating editor and publisher on a plan for each book.
Also reporting to Centrello is PAOLO PEPE, appointed Senior Vice President, Creative Director, Random House Publishing Group, with oversight of all art direction for the group. His direct reports will include ROBBIN SCHIFF, promoted to Vice President, Executive Director, Art & Design, for Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau; BECK STVAN, Senior Director, Art & Design, for Trade Paperbacks; and an Executive Director, Art & Design, Ballantine and Bantam Dell, to be appointed shortly.
In making her announcement Centrello said, “Under the umbrella of our newly expanded group, we have the great pleasure of publishing books by many wonderful and bestselling writers over the next twelve months. These include new titles from E. L. Doctorow, Sarah Dunant, John Irving, Tracy Kidder, Lisa See, and Neil Sheehan (Random House); Steve Berry, Justin Cronin, Julie Garwood, Kathie Lee Gifford, Laurell K. Hamilton, Linda Howard, Jonathan Kellerman, and Jeff Shaara (Ballantine); Sara Gruen, Suze Orman, and Iain Pears (Spiegel & Grau); Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Stephen Hawking, Dean Koontz, George R. R. Martin, Karin Slaughter, and Danielle Steel (Bantam Dell); Terry Brooks and the STAR WARS program (Del Rey); and Sophie Kinsella (The Dial Press).
“We also look forward to publishing paperback reprints of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Dial), Jon Meacham’s AMERICAN LION (Random House), and, at year end, John Grisham’s THE ASSOCIATE.”
Centrello also announced changes in its support team. “We are centralizing our publishing support areas under the leadership and direction of two newly appointed Group Executive Vice Presidents, TOM PERRY and BILL TAKES, continuing to report to me,” Centrello said.
TOM PERRY, Deputy Publisher of the entire Random House Publishing Group, will have an expanded list of direct reports. These include SALLY MARVIN, Vice President, Publicity Director, of the Random House imprint, who will now additionally oversee The Dial Press and Spiegel & Grau publicity; and THERESA ZORO, who has been named Vice President, Publicity Director, of the newly united Ballantine and Bantam Dell publicity department. BRIAN McLENDON has been named Vice President and will serve as Deputy Director of Publicity for Ballantine and Bantam Dell.
SANYU DILLON has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing Director, Random House Publishing Group. She is now responsible for marketing for the entire group, continuing to report to Tom. Reporting to Sanyu is STACEY WITCRAFT, named Vice President, Director, Creative Services, in charge of advertising and promotion for the expanded group. Sanyu will also lead a new team: AVIDEH BASHIRRAD, Marketing Director, Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau; CHRIS CABELLO, Deputy Marketing Director, Del Rey and Spectra; BRANT JANEWAY, Deputy Marketing Director, Ballantine; CAROLYN SCHWARTZ, Vice President, Marketing Director, Bantam Dell; and ANNE WATTERS, Associate Marketing Director, Trade Paperbacks.
Also reporting to Tom will be ANDREA SHEEHAN, Vice President, Director, Digital Strategy & Business Development; GRANT NEUMANN, promoted to Senior Copy Director for the expanded Copywriting Department; and KELLE RUDEN, who joins the Publisher’s Office as Coordinating Director for the group.
BILL TAKES has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Publishing and Business Operations, Random House Publishing Group, responsible for all financial and operational support.
Bill continues to supervise the group’s Subsidiary Rights Department, newly headed by REBECCA GARDNER, formerly Foreign Rights Director at Doubleday. She has been named Vice President, Director of Subsidiary Rights, Random House Publishing Group. Rebecca will sell foreign rights for Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau together with JOELLE DIEU, who has been promoted to Associate Director, Foreign Rights. Also reporting to Rebecca will be RACHEL KIND, newly named Director, Foreign Rights, Ballantine and Bantam Dell, working with DONNA DUVERGLAS, Manager, Subsidiary and Foreign Rights, Bantam, and RACHEL BERNSTEIN, promoted to Director, Domestic Rights, for the expanded group.
In addition, Bill will now oversee Publishing Operations, led by LISA FEUER, Senior Vice President, Executive Director, Publishing Operations, who will be in charge of production, managing editorial, and interior design for the expanded group. Newly reporting to Lisa will be TOM LEDDY, appointed Vice President, Director, Production. BENJAMIN DREYER, promoted to Executive Managing Editor and Copy Chief, and CAROLE LOWENSTEIN, promoted to Senior Director, Interior Design, continue to report to Lisa.
PATRICIA TUCKER, newly promoted to Director of Business Affairs for the entire group, with responsibility for overall business management including budgetary and financial projections, continues to report to Bill, as does MITCH ROGATZ, President and Publisher, Triumph Books.
CAROL SCHNEIDER, Vice President, Executive Director, Publicity and Public Relations, the division’s spokesperson, continues to report to Centrello.
Finally, an important new group role for CYNTHIA LASKY, currently Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing Director, Bantam Dell, will be announced shortly.
NEW YORK, NY(Authorlink News, 1/15/2009)—Gina Centrello, Random House, Inc. President and Publisher, announced the company’s detailed reorganization plans in a company-wide memo today.
Last month Bantam Dell, Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau were merged into Random House Publishing Group. Today Centrello presented the senior management team and organizational structure of what she termed the “newly expanded” division, which she said would enable the company to carry forward the publishing traditions of Random House, Ballantine, Bantam Dell, and Spiegel & Grau.
Centrello also said, “Regrettably, with this restructuring we have had to eliminate some positions across the division. As a result, a number of our colleagues are leaving the company.” She did not, however say, how many jobs had been cut.
Publishers now reporting directly to Centrello, are:
NITA TAUBLIB is appointed Executive Vice President, Publisher, and Editor in Chief, Bantam Dell. Formerly Deputy Publisher and Editorial Director, Nita joined Bantam in 1982 and became Associate Publisher in l990. In her new role she will direct the hardcover and mass-market publishing programs of the Bantam Dell imprints—Bantam, Dell, Delacorte, Delta—as well as remain the editor of Danielle Steel and Luanne Rice. The Bantam Dell editorial department continues to report to her, as do GINA WACHTEL, who has been promoted to Vice President, Associate Publisher, and KATE MICIAK, editor of Lee Child and Lisa Gardner, promoted to Vice President, Editorial Director.
LIBBY McGUIRE, Senior Vice President, Publisher, Ballantine Books, will continue to oversee Ballantine hardcover and mass-market imprints—Ballantine, Villard, Del Rey, One World, ESPN Books, and Presidio—working closely with KIM HOVEY, Vice President, Associate Publisher, who also serves in that capacity for Trade Paperbacks under Jane von Mehren. All the Ballantine editors will continue to report to Libby, as will Editorial Director LINDA MARROW, now named Senior Vice President.
SCOTT SHANNON has been promoted to Vice President, Publisher, for Del Rey and Spectra, the industry’s two preeminent science fiction and fantasy imprints, which will remain separate lists under a single publishing management. Scott will oversee their editors, as well as those in our manga program, and will continue to report to Libby.
CINDY SPIEGEL and JULIE GRAU continue to lead Spiegel & Grau, their imprint founded in 2005, as Senior Vice Presidents and Publishers, with their editors reporting to them.
I remain Publisher of the Random House imprint, overseeing this program with my key editorial executives: KATE MEDINA, Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Executive Editorial Director, and SUSAN KAMIL, our newly appointed Senior Vice President and Editor in Chief. Reporting to Susan, in addition to the Random House imprint editors, are JENNIFER HERSHEY, Senior Vice President, Editorial Director, and JOHN FLICKER, formerly Senior Editor, Bantam Dell, who has been promoted to Executive Editor, Modern Library.
JANE VON MEHREN, Senior Vice President, Publisher, Trade Paperbacks, will take on the added responsibility for all trade paperback lines within the expanded Random House Publishing Group. The trade paperback editors will report to her, and she and they will work collaboratively with the originating editor and publisher on a plan for each book.
Also reporting to Centrello is PAOLO PEPE, appointed Senior Vice President, Creative Director, Random House Publishing Group, with oversight of all art direction for the group. His direct reports will include ROBBIN SCHIFF, promoted to Vice President, Executive Director, Art & Design, for Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau; BECK STVAN, Senior Director, Art & Design, for Trade Paperbacks; and an Executive Director, Art & Design, Ballantine and Bantam Dell, to be appointed shortly.
In making her announcement Centrello said, “Under the umbrella of our newly expanded group, we have the great pleasure of publishing books by many wonderful and bestselling writers over the next twelve months. These include new titles from E. L. Doctorow, Sarah Dunant, John Irving, Tracy Kidder, Lisa See, and Neil Sheehan (Random House); Steve Berry, Justin Cronin, Julie Garwood, Kathie Lee Gifford, Laurell K. Hamilton, Linda Howard, Jonathan Kellerman, and Jeff Shaara (Ballantine); Sara Gruen, Suze Orman, and Iain Pears (Spiegel & Grau); Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Stephen Hawking, Dean Koontz, George R. R. Martin, Karin Slaughter, and Danielle Steel (Bantam Dell); Terry Brooks and the STAR WARS program (Del Rey); and Sophie Kinsella (The Dial Press).
“We also look forward to publishing paperback reprints of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Dial), Jon Meacham’s AMERICAN LION (Random House), and, at year end, John Grisham’s THE ASSOCIATE.”
Centrello also announced changes in its support team. “We are centralizing our publishing support areas under the leadership and direction of two newly appointed Group Executive Vice Presidents, TOM PERRY and BILL TAKES, continuing to report to me,” Centrello said.
TOM PERRY, Deputy Publisher of the entire Random House Publishing Group, will have an expanded list of direct reports. These include SALLY MARVIN, Vice President, Publicity Director, of the Random House imprint, who will now additionally oversee The Dial Press and Spiegel & Grau publicity; and THERESA ZORO, who has been named Vice President, Publicity Director, of the newly united Ballantine and Bantam Dell publicity department. BRIAN McLENDON has been named Vice President and will serve as Deputy Director of Publicity for Ballantine and Bantam Dell.
SANYU DILLON has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing Director, Random House Publishing Group. She is now responsible for marketing for the entire group, continuing to report to Tom. Reporting to Sanyu is STACEY WITCRAFT, named Vice President, Director, Creative Services, in charge of advertising and promotion for the expanded group. Sanyu will also lead a new team: AVIDEH BASHIRRAD, Marketing Director, Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau; CHRIS CABELLO, Deputy Marketing Director, Del Rey and Spectra; BRANT JANEWAY, Deputy Marketing Director, Ballantine; CAROLYN SCHWARTZ, Vice President, Marketing Director, Bantam Dell; and ANNE WATTERS, Associate Marketing Director, Trade Paperbacks.
Also reporting to Tom will be ANDREA SHEEHAN, Vice President, Director, Digital Strategy & Business Development; GRANT NEUMANN, promoted to Senior Copy Director for the expanded Copywriting Department; and KELLE RUDEN, who joins the Publisher’s Office as Coordinating Director for the group.
BILL TAKES has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Publishing and Business Operations, Random House Publishing Group, responsible for all financial and operational support.
Bill continues to supervise the group’s Subsidiary Rights Department, newly headed by REBECCA GARDNER, formerly Foreign Rights Director at Doubleday. She has been named Vice President, Director of Subsidiary Rights, Random House Publishing Group. Rebecca will sell foreign rights for Random House, The Dial Press, and Spiegel & Grau together with JOELLE DIEU, who has been promoted to Associate Director, Foreign Rights. Also reporting to Rebecca will be RACHEL KIND, newly named Director, Foreign Rights, Ballantine and Bantam Dell, working with DONNA DUVERGLAS, Manager, Subsidiary and Foreign Rights, Bantam, and RACHEL BERNSTEIN, promoted to Director, Domestic Rights, for the expanded group.
In addition, Bill will now oversee Publishing Operations, led by LISA FEUER, Senior Vice President, Executive Director, Publishing Operations, who will be in charge of production, managing editorial, and interior design for the expanded group. Newly reporting to Lisa will be TOM LEDDY, appointed Vice President, Director, Production. BENJAMIN DREYER, promoted to Executive Managing Editor and Copy Chief, and CAROLE LOWENSTEIN, promoted to Senior Director, Interior Design, continue to report to Lisa.
PATRICIA TUCKER, newly promoted to Director of Business Affairs for the entire group, with responsibility for overall business management including budgetary and financial projections, continues to report to Bill, as does MITCH ROGATZ, President and Publisher, Triumph Books.
CAROL SCHNEIDER, Vice President, Executive Director, Publicity and Public Relations, the division’s spokesperson, continues to report to Centrello.
Finally, an important new group role for CYNTHIA LASKY, currently Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing Director, Bantam Dell, will be announced shortly.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
New S&S Site Brings Impressive Resources to Fans
We've just visited the new Simon & Schuster site and it's cool. Here's an example.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
McGuire Appointed Borders Group Chairman
Hi Everybody,
The shifts in personnel at major bookstores and in boardrooms is especially important at this time as the two giants, Barnes & Noble and Borders, fight for their survival. Last week Barnes & Noble lost one of its biggest investors, Pershing Square. Here, a former Pershing Square executive becomes chairman at Borders. These are interesting times for bookselling.
Here's the story:
ANN ARBOR, Mich.(Authorlink News, January 13, 2009)--Borders Group has announced the appointment of Richard "Mick" McGuire, 32, as non-executive Chairman of the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. He replaces Larry Pollock, 61, who has been non-executive Chairman since July 2006 and has been a Director since August 1995. Pollock will remain on the Board as a Director.
His appointment comes at a time when Pershing Square has sold off all of its holdings in rival Barnes & Noble. However, McGuire will represent Borders Group not as a Pershing executive, but as an independent entrepreneur.
McGuire joined the Board in January 2008 in connection with his role as a partner at Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., which is Borders Group's largest investor. At Pershing Square, McGuire served as a member of the investment team exploring investment opportunities in industries including retail, consumer products, business services and financial services. He is now departing Pershing Square to pursue entrepreneurial interests. Prior to Pershing Square, McGuire held positions at private equity funds J.H. Whitney & Co., and Stonington Partners, Inc. He holds a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University.
"Mick is extremely smart and capable," said Pershing Square founder and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ackman. "As a major shareholder of Borders, I am delighted with Mick's appointment to Chairman. I look forward to the company's progress under Mick's and CEO Ron Marshall's stewardship."
"In the short time that I have worked with Mick, I am impressed with his constructive input, sound judgment and overall support of the company," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer Ron Marshall. "I look forward to working more closely with Mick in the expanded role of Chairman and with Mike Archbold in his new role as Lead Director. On behalf of the entire Board and management team, I also want to thank Larry for his years of service as Chairman and am pleased that he'll remain with the Board as a Director."
As noted, Michael G. Archbold has been named Lead Director. Archbold, 48, joined the Board in December 2007. He is Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe, a position he has held since 2007. Previously, Archbold served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Saks Fifth Avenue. Prior to Saks, Archbold was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AutoZone and earlier served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Booksellers Division of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Pollock, who as noted remains on the Board, is Managing Partner of investment firm Lucky Stars Partners LLC. Previously, he was President, and later Chief Executive Officer, of Cole National Corporation, which operates retail vision and gift stores and was sold to Luxottica Group SpA in 2004. Prior to Cole National, Pollock served as President and Chief Executive Officer of HomePlace, Inc., and earlier was President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of jewelry retailer Zale Corporation.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names. For online shopping, visit Borders.com. For more information about the company, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.
The shifts in personnel at major bookstores and in boardrooms is especially important at this time as the two giants, Barnes & Noble and Borders, fight for their survival. Last week Barnes & Noble lost one of its biggest investors, Pershing Square. Here, a former Pershing Square executive becomes chairman at Borders. These are interesting times for bookselling.
Here's the story:
ANN ARBOR, Mich.(Authorlink News, January 13, 2009)--Borders Group has announced the appointment of Richard "Mick" McGuire, 32, as non-executive Chairman of the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. He replaces Larry Pollock, 61, who has been non-executive Chairman since July 2006 and has been a Director since August 1995. Pollock will remain on the Board as a Director.
His appointment comes at a time when Pershing Square has sold off all of its holdings in rival Barnes & Noble. However, McGuire will represent Borders Group not as a Pershing executive, but as an independent entrepreneur.
McGuire joined the Board in January 2008 in connection with his role as a partner at Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., which is Borders Group's largest investor. At Pershing Square, McGuire served as a member of the investment team exploring investment opportunities in industries including retail, consumer products, business services and financial services. He is now departing Pershing Square to pursue entrepreneurial interests. Prior to Pershing Square, McGuire held positions at private equity funds J.H. Whitney & Co., and Stonington Partners, Inc. He holds a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University.
"Mick is extremely smart and capable," said Pershing Square founder and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ackman. "As a major shareholder of Borders, I am delighted with Mick's appointment to Chairman. I look forward to the company's progress under Mick's and CEO Ron Marshall's stewardship."
"In the short time that I have worked with Mick, I am impressed with his constructive input, sound judgment and overall support of the company," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer Ron Marshall. "I look forward to working more closely with Mick in the expanded role of Chairman and with Mike Archbold in his new role as Lead Director. On behalf of the entire Board and management team, I also want to thank Larry for his years of service as Chairman and am pleased that he'll remain with the Board as a Director."
As noted, Michael G. Archbold has been named Lead Director. Archbold, 48, joined the Board in December 2007. He is Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe, a position he has held since 2007. Previously, Archbold served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Saks Fifth Avenue. Prior to Saks, Archbold was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AutoZone and earlier served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Booksellers Division of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Pollock, who as noted remains on the Board, is Managing Partner of investment firm Lucky Stars Partners LLC. Previously, he was President, and later Chief Executive Officer, of Cole National Corporation, which operates retail vision and gift stores and was sold to Luxottica Group SpA in 2004. Prior to Cole National, Pollock served as President and Chief Executive Officer of HomePlace, Inc., and earlier was President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of jewelry retailer Zale Corporation.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names. For online shopping, visit Borders.com. For more information about the company, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Anderson Named Publisher at S&S Children's
Hi Everyone, this is just out from Simon & Schuster.
JON ANDERSON NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER
SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING
NEW YORK, January 12, 2009—Jon Anderson has been named Executive Vice President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster’s Children’s Publishing Division, effective January 21st. The announcement was made today by Carolyn Reidy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simon & Schuster, Inc., to whom Mr. Anderson will report.
Mr. Anderson joins Simon & Schuster from Running Press Book Publishers, a division of the Perseus Books Group, where he has been President and Publisher since 2004.
“I’m thrilled that a publishing executive as talented and versatile as Jon Anderson will be joining Simon & Schuster to lead our Children’s Publishing Division,” said Carolyn Reidy. “He is a truly original thinker who brings great creativity, financial and business acumen, and managerial skill to all his publishing endeavors, and he is the right person to build upon our rich legacy in children’s publishing. He is knowledgeable and experienced in every type of publishing in our Children’s Division, and we look forward to his leadership for this vital and important part of our overall business.”
“Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has a stellar list of authors and illustrators who illuminate both its frontlist and backlist publishing, a vibrant teen and middle grade program, irresistible novelties, and top-notch licenses,” said Jon Anderson. “They are a talented team of passionate children’s publishing professionals, with a great tradition of publishing well in every category, and I look forward to working with them to expand on their considerable success to date.”
During his tenure at Running Press, Mr. Anderson consistently led the publisher to increased growth in both revenues and profit. He was responsible for the expansion of the publisher’s children’s program to include middle grade and young adult fiction, including the New York Times bestselling Cathy’s Book, for which he helped create and directed an innovative, integrated multi-partner marketing campaign. He also devised the re-imagined edition of Marlo Thomas’s Free to Be…You and Me, a current New York Times bestseller, and developed a program of evergreen licenses including Hello Kitty, John Deere, and Peanuts. Running Press adult bestsellers under his supervision include Skinny Bitch and its sequels, the Sneaky Chef franchise, as well as renewed prominence and success for Running Press’s popular Miniature Editions.
Prior to Running Press, Mr. Anderson was at Penguin Putnam, Inc., where he was Vice President and Publisher of Price, Stern, Sloan and DreamWorks. During his time there, he was responsible for the start-up and ongoing publishing efforts of the successful DreamWorks line, which he managed for all divisions of Penguin worldwide. Before joining Penguin, Mr. Anderson was a merchandise manager and buyer at Barnes & Noble for various categories, including children’s books, mass market, and humor. He began his career at B. Dalton Booksellers, where he worked in retail and as a buyer.
In addition to his work as a publishing executive, Mr. Anderson is the acclaimed author of over twenty-five children’s books under the pseudonym William Boniface, with cumulative sales of more than two million copies, including The Adventures of Max the Minnow, selected by Oprah’s Book Club as a best book for children, and most recently, The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy, a series of three middle-grade novels.
Mr. Anderson, 45, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He lives in New York City.
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world. While maintaining an extensive backlist that includes numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. Recent award-winning and bestselling titles and series include the #1 New York Times bestseller BARACK OBAMA: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins, PENDRAGON by D.J. MacHale, PETER PAN by Robert Sabuda, UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld, the National Book Award finalists CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson and THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt, TWEAK by Nic Sheff, Jon Scieszka’s TRUCKTOWN, beloved high-profile continuing characters including ELOISE and OLIVIA, and books based on Nickelodeon’s DORA THE EXPLORER® and SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS®.
Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com
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