HarperCollins Undergoes Major Restructuring

NEW YORK, N.Y./6/5/2008--After the sudden departure of Jane Friedman as CEO of HarperCollins Publishers last week, and her replacement by Brian Murray as worldwide president and CEO, the publisher has announced a new management structure.

Michael Morrison has been promoted to President and Publisher U.S. General Books and Canada, and Victoria Barnsley has been promoted to CEO and Publisher HCUK and International, overseeing the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa.

Friedman had been with HarperCollins for ten years, and there had been no hint of her departure, even as she presided the previous week over the company's participation in BookExpoAmerica.

"Michael and Victoria are two of the most creative publishing executives in the industry and I am looking forward to working closely with them to help HarperCollins grow and achieve even greater success," said Murray. "They both have a rare combination of terrific creative instincts and business acumen. They are ideal partners to help us build HarperCollins into the publisher of choice."

"I love this company and am excited to work with my colleagues in this new role to further our reputation as the best publisher in town," said Morrison.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to extend my remit at HC internationally," said Barnsley. "The rest of the world offers us tremendous growth opportunities and will be an ever more important part of our business. I've worked with Brian and Michael for several years and believe that as a team we can take HC to even greater heights."

Michael Morrison joined HarperCollins in January 1999 as Vice President, Associate Publisher of HarperCollins and later became Executive Vice President, Publisher of Morrow/Avon. Most recently he served as is President and Group Publisher of the HarperMorrow division at HarperCollins Publishers. He was appointed to this position November, 2004.

Victoria Barnsley has been Publisher and Chief Executive of HarperCollins UK since 2000, when her company, Fourth Estate, was purchased by HarperCollins. Barnsley sits on the Worldwide Board of HarperCollins Publishers Inc and is Chair of HarperCollins India Ltd.

About HarperCollins Publishers

HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups around the world including the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children's Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India. HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, mystery, romance, reference, religious and spiritual books.

Consistently at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, meet consumer demand and generate additional business opportunities. The publisher's website is located at: http://www.harpercollins.com.

Poll Finds Most Readers Prefer Printed Books

Hi Everyone,

Here's a very interesting report just released at BookExpo America last week on America's reading habits. It contains a few interesting surprises.

Random House/Zogby
Poll Finds Most Readers
Prefer Printed Books

UTICA, NEW YORK/6/1/2008--Random House and Zogby International released an extensive survey May 30 that explores how and where readers shop, what makes them buy, and their reading and book-buying habits. Despite the growing availability of other formats for reading—such as online or with an e-book reader or PDA-- the vast majority of readers still like to read the old fashioned way – 82% said they prefer to curl up with a printed book over using the latest in reading technology, a new Random House/Zogby poll shows. Women (85%) are more likely than men (79%) to say they prefer reading printed books. Reading printed books also has greater appeal among older respondents, although it is by far the preferred method among all age groups.

Just 11% of respondents said they are comfortable reading books in other formats, such as online or with an e-book reader or PDA. Men (13%) are more open than women (8%) to reading books in other formats, as are 13% of those younger than age 30, compared to just 6% of those age 65 and older.

Most book buyers head to bookstore with a purpose – but are often tempted into unplanned book purchases

The survey finds most readers often head to a bookstore knowing exactly what they’re looking for – 43% of respondents said they do this somewhat often, while nearly as many (38%) very often head to a bookstore with a particular book in mind. But just because they’re focused on a certain book, most admit they’re likely to be tempted by other books once at a store – 77% said that when they go into a bookstore for a specific book, they sometimes make additional, unplanned book purchases. For nearly half (48%), the first thing that draws them to a book while browsing in a bookstore is the subject, followed by the author (24%) and the book’s title (11%). When asked about their most recent book purchase, 43% said the book’s subject was the most important factor, followed by the author (29%) and a good recommendation or word of mouth (11%). When asked what makes them want to buy a book, 60% said suggestions from friends and family members, while nearly half (49%) said they are influenced by book reviews.

It is 3 AM and your telephone rings. The next president can’t sleep and is calling you for a book recommendation. Other than the Bible, what book would you suggest?

There’s been a lot of chatter this campaign season about White House activity at 3 a.m., and the survey finds among the top recommendations for the next president would be reading up on world and U.S. history – including the U.S. Constitution.

Among the most frequent responses were books on history, from the Federalist Papers to a more recent look at American history found in David McCullough’s 1776. Many also suggested politically themed books – including those by Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.

Books by politicians such as Ron Paul, Barack Obama, and Al Gore - as well as books by both Bill and Hillary Clinton – which were also frequent mentions. So were suggestions to read anything by Ayn Rand.

Lengthy classics such as War and Peace and the Lord of the Rings also made the list, while others were more inclined to suggest more recent fiction by such authors as Tom Clancy, James Patterson, John Grisham and Stephen King.

Most admit to judging a book by its cover

More than half (52%) admit to judging a book by its cover, with younger respondents more likely to acknowledge a book’s cover influences their opinion – 66% of those younger than 30 said they judge a book by its cover, compared to just 34% of those age 65 and older. More than a third (35%) said they have purchased a book because of a quote from another author. When they find a book they like, the vast majority (89%) said they make a special effort to look for other books by the same author. Women (92%) are more likely than men (86%) to seek out books by authors they already enjoy. Other findings about reading preferences and habits include:

• Most said they typically read just one book at a time, but a sizable 40% said they usually are reading between two and four books at once. Another 3% said they generally read more than four books at one time.

• While 19% said they borrow most of the books they read from the library, the vast majority of Americans (78%) said they own most of the books they read. And while 71% are quick to loan books to friends, just 32% said they are in the habit of borrowing books from friends.

• Respondents were also asked to own up to their bad reading habits – 35% admit to folding over the pages, while 13% confess to sneaking a peek at the ending before finishing a book. Just 6% divulged that they have neglected to return a library book.

• Two in three respondents (68%) said they typically read a book just once, but 18% said they usually go back for a second read and 10% generally read a book three times or more.

• Once a book has been read, most respondents said it goes back on their shelf at home (57%), but others are more likely part ways once they finish – 20% usually pass books on to a friend or family member, while 14% give them away and just 3% said they typically sell their books once their done reading them.

• When respondents were asked what type of book would best represent their life, 20% said it would be humor, while 16% said satire and 13% said their life would be an inspirational book.

• The survey also shows respondents are more likely to purchase the most books for themselves than for family members or as gifts. On average, 39% of respondents said they purchase between one and five books per year for themselves, while 26% buy between six and 10, 14% between 11 and 15 – 22% buy 16 or more books per year for themselves. When it comes to purchasing books for family members, 51% said they buy one to five books per year, 23% six to 10 and 9% buy 11 to 15 – 18% buy 16 or more books per year for family members. Nearly three in four (73%) respondents said they typically purchase between one and five books per year as gifts, 19% buy six to 10 books as gifts and 4% buy 11 to 15 – just 4% said they buy 16 or more books as gifts per year.

Most head online or to chains for books, but nearly half also shop at independent booksellers

While most purchase books online (77%) or at chain bookstores (76%), nearly half (49%) said they also purchase books at independent bookstores. Others said they purchase books at locations, including the airport (39%), big box retailers (29%), warehouse clubs (27%), supermarkets (25%) and drug stores (16%). The youngest respondents, age 18 to 24, are more likely than older respondents to say they purchase books online and at chain bookstores, but are also more likely to buy books at independent bookstores (54%), compared to 41% of those age 65 and older.

Readers most frequently buy books online or at chains

Respondents said they most often buy books online (43%) or at chain bookstores (32%), while 9% said they purchase books at independent bookstores most frequently.

Nearly one in four are reading more – but slightly more said they are reading less than usual

While 46% of respondents said they have spent about the same amount of time as usual reading in the past year, 23% are spending more time reading – and 30% said they are reading less than usual. Nearly two-thirds of those who are reading less (65%) said they are spending more time online, while 37% are spending more time watching television or movies and 18% are devoting more time to playing computer and video games.

Younger respondents are more likely than older respondents to say they are reading more – and less – than usual. Among those who are spending less time reading, younger respondents are more likely to say they have increased the time they spend online, as well as time watching television or movies and playing computer and video games. The same trend holds true for women, who are more likely than men to say they are spending both more and less time reading books – among those who are reading books less, women are more likely than men to say they are devoting more time to the Internet, television, movies and computer and video games.

John Zogby to discuss survey findings and his new book

Zogby International President and CEO John Zogby put the findings of this survey into context and provided marketing information that booksellers and publishers can use to connect with the changing American consumer during his presentation on “The New American Character” May 30 at BookExpo America in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Zogby, one of the leading voices in the public opinion research industry, is the author of a new book, THE WAY WE’LL BE: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream, which Random House will publish on August 12. In it he identifies a new American consensus arising from the collapse of trust in our leaders and leading institutions. Basing his analysis on thousands of polls conducted by his organization, he sees four main trends that affect how Americans buy and vote: learning to live with limits, embracing diversity, rejecting materialism, and demanding authenticity.

The Zogby Interactive online panel represents a national sample that is slightly more well educated, earns slightly higher incomes, is more likely to vote in elections, and is slightly less racially diverse than the national adult population as a whole. It is a tool to measure public opinion for such topics as high technology, shopping habits, reading habits, and attitudes toward such things as business, politics, and leisure. For a comprehensive report on his survey, plus a complete methodology statement, please visit: www.zogby.com

Report on Book Industry Trends Shows Upbeat Results

Hi Everyone,

While bookstores reported dismal sales earlier this week, the Book Industry Study Group sees a brighter future ahead. Here's what they reported today. This just in from the Book Industry Study Group:


Book Industry TRENDS 2008
Shows Publishers’ Net Revenues Rose 4.4
Percent in 2007 to Reach $37.26 billion

New York, New York/5/31/2008--The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has just released figures from the upcoming 2008 edition of Book Industry TRENDS, the comprehensive view of U.S. book publishing dollar and unit sales that uniquely covers publishers with under $50 million in annual revenue as well as the larger publishing companies.

TRENDS 2008 estimates that total publishers’ net revenues in 2007 reached $37.26 billion, up 4.4 percent over 2006’s total, and that unit sales in 2007 reached nearly 3.127 billion.

TRENDS projections show revenues reaching nearly $43.5 billion and units at 3.15 billion by the end of 2012.

Providing estimates for 2006 and 2007 and projections for 2008 through 2012, TRENDS 2008 covers the entire U.S. book publishing industry. With the exception of a short section consisting of Traditional Summary Data tables, all figures in the
latest edition of TRENDS are based on data about the full range of small and midsize publishers coupled with data about the more visible large houses.

Reports on interviews with more than 30 industry insiders, which are also included in TRENDS 2008, reveal that publishers today are less strained and
more determined to grapple with issues and implement solutions than they were a year ago.

Tracking Trends for Over 30 Years BISG has been tracking publishers’ dollar and unit sales for more than 30 years. Throughout the past three decades, TRENDS has provided invaluable data on the U.S. book business. TRENDS numbers are widely quoted in prestigious publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, Business Week, Publishers Weekly, Subtext and many other periodicals that serve book industry professionals, who rely on TRENDS as they plan for the future. BISG expanded its data sources in 2006 to cover the significant and growing segment of the U.S. book publishing market composed of companies with annual revenues of up to $50 million as well as the segment comprising larger companies that TRENDS has always tracked. This year, TRENDS also includes data on sales of a subset of
electronic books.

Robert M. Wharton and Albert N. Greco, senior researchers at The Institute for Publishing Research, provided the analyses of data in this volume. Robert Wharton is also a professor and chair of the Department of Management
Sciences at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business Administration. Albert Greco is the author of The Book Publishing Industry and the co‐editor of Media Economics: Theory and Practice, as well as a professor of marketing at Fordham’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

Interviews for TRENDS 2008 were conducted, analyzed and reported by Stephanie Oda and Glenn Sanilso of Open Book Publishing.

For more information, or to order a copy of Book Industry TRENDS 2008 visit
http://www.bisg.org/publications/trends2008.html.

About Book Industry Study Group, Inc.

The Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG) is the industry’s leading trade association for policy, standards and research. The mission of BISG is to create a more informed, empowered, and efficient book industry. Membership
consists of publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians, and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media. For more than 30 years, BISG has provided a forum for all industry professionals to come together and efficiently address issues and concerns to advance the book community.

Bookstore Sales Lag

Hi Everyone,

The not-so-good news this week is that all three of the top booksellers--Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Books-A-Million-- are having a tough time increasing book sales. Top managements at these entities are, however, predicting reasonably good results for the year. Another interesting wrinkle is that the Christian publisher, Baker, is reporting solid increases. Read these storeis and more at www.authorlink.com

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Last Update: May 29, 2008

Borders Sales Lag; Amazon Relationship Ends

Zogby Survey to Reveal American Habits of Book Buying and Reading

Barnes & Noble First Quarter Slow, More Dips Ahead

Microsoft Ends Live Book Search

Books-A-Million Sales Decline In Fiscal Quarter

Christian Publisher Baker Reports Solid Sales Gain

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Waterstone's Publishes Harry Potter "Prequel," Rowling Helps Promote

Woolworths Launches Express Campaign With Retailers, Newspaper

Hodder Faith To Publish Young's Bestseller

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B&N Still Contemplating Borders Buy

Hi Everyone,

The story to watch this week is whether Barnes & Noble will make a bid for Borders. Rumblings abound on the Internet. The other big story is that Markus Dohle succeeds Peter Olson at Random House, which could mean significant changes in editorial initiatives. Get all the stories on www.authorlink.com

News Updated Every Thursday
Last Update: May 22, 2008

New Rumors Surface on B&N Buyout of Borders

Markus Dohle Named To Succeed Olson At Random House

Hastingins Entertainment Reports Record First Quarter Earnings

McGraw-Hill Cuts 395 Jobs In Financial And Educational Units

Thriller Writers Launch New Audio Initiative With Audible

Janet Jackson To Release Book On Personal Issues

Boston Globe Launches New Site for Moms

Mayborn Conference To Feature Momaday And Other Top Authors

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Updated May 22, 2008

New Consumer Survey Shows Book Jackets Matter

Indy Bookseller Urges Publishers To Stand Up To Amazon

Independent Alliance Conference Studies New Business Models

Child 44 Favorite To Win New Book Prize

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Markus Dohle Replaces Olson as Random House CEO

Hi Everyone, this is just in from Random House on the naming of a new CEO. More about the appointment in our Thursday edition.

Markus Dohle to Succeed Peter Olson as CEO of
Random House and on Executive Board of
Bertelsmann AG

New York, May 20, 2008 – Hartmut Ostrowski, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann AG,
announced today that Peter Olson, 58, will step down at his own initiative from his
positions as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Random House and as a member
of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann AG, effective May 31. Olson will pursue an
academic career.


Markus Dohle, 39, will become the new Chairman and CEO of Random House. He was
appointed by the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann AG and will succeed Mr. Olson on
the Bertelsmann Executive Board as of June 1. Mr. Dohle is presently member of the
Arvato AG Executive Board and CEO of Arvato Print. Dohle’s successor at Arvato will
be announced shortly. The Direct Group North America reporting line will shift from
Peter Olson to Bertelsmann’s Chief Financial Officer Thomas Rabe.


Mr. Olson joined Bertelsmann AG in 1988 and served in a variety of positions in
Gütersloh and New York, culminating in his appointment ten years ago as Chairman
and CEO of Random House. He led the negotiations for Bertelsmann’s acquisition of
the publishing house and its subsequent successful integration with Bantam Doubleday
Dell. Under his leadership during the past decade, Random House enhanced its
position as the global trade-book publishing market leader, greatly increasing its
profitability through the sale of more than four billion books globally, over four thousand
bestsellers in nineteen countries and five languages, as well as with eight new Nobel
Prize winners.


Mr. Ostrowski expressed his regret over Peter Olson’s departure and wished his
longtime colleague the best of success with his new life plan, saying: “Peter Olson
made an important contribution to developing Bertelsmann’s book publishing business.
We thank him for his tremendously successful work at the helm of Random House.”
Ostrowski also congratulated Markus Dohle on his new position on the Bertelsmann
Executive Board and as the CEO of the Random House division, saying: “Markus Dohle
is an exceptional entrepreneur who will successfully influence the future of Random
House.”


According to Ostrowski, Dohle brings to Random House a fresh strategic viewpoint on
Random House’s operations. At Arvato, he has demonstrated his great ability to create
new revenue streams in mature markets. Likewise, at Random House, he will lend new
and necessary impetus to the book-publishing business by lengthening the value chain.
“Random House plays an important role in Bertelsmann’s growth strategy,” Ostrowski
said. “Markus Dohle will continue to advance the development of world’s market-leading
trade book publishing group through new ideas and by opening up new lines of
business. In doing so, he will rely on Random House’s longstanding traditions, in
particular the independence of its individual publishers and imprints. Markus has a
leader’s personality. With his proven talent for innovation, he will enhance Random
House’s long-term value and keep it strong even in a mature book marketplace.”
Mr. Dohle will be based in Random House’s world headquarters in New York, where he
will be relocating this summer.


Mr. Dohle said, “My appointment as Random House's Chairman and CEO is a great
honor for me. I am grateful for this vote of confidence and look forward to the
entrepreneurial challenge and the chance to work with their extraordinary authors, as
well as their world-class publishers and employees. Trade book publishing faces a
promising future. My goal for Random House is for us to join together in identifying new
growth opportunities and tap additional potential which we will develop from our core
businesses as we continue to build upon Random House's unique position as the global
trade-book market leader.”


Markus Dohle joined Bertelsmann in 1994, after completing a degree in economics and
industrial engineering at the University of Karlsruhe (TH). He began as a management
assistant at Bertelsmann Distribution. In 1998 he was promoted to Chief Executive
Officer of the Vereinigte Verlagsauslieferung (VVA). He eventually led VVA to market
leadership in the field of publishing logistics. In 2002, he moved to the printing sector,
taking the helm of the Mohn Media group, which he has led successfully ever since.
Dohle has sat on the Arvato AG executive board since 2006, and is responsible for
Arvato Print’s worldwide operations and more than 11,500 employees in seven
countries.


About Bertelsmann AG
Bertelsmann is an international media company encompassing television (RTL Group), book
publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), music (BMG), media
services (Arvato), and media clubs (Direct Group) in more than 50 countries. Bertelsmann’s
claim is to inspire people around the world with first-class media and communications offerings –
entertainment, information and services – and occupy leading positions in its respective markets.


The foundation of Bertelsmann's success is a corporate culture based on partnership,
entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and corporate responsibility. The company strives to bring
creative new ideas to market and create value.

Bertelsmann is comprised of the television channels, television production companies, and radio
stations of Europe's largest entertainment group, RTL Group (RTL Television, M6, Five,
Fremantle Media), and the more than 120 publishing houses of Random House, the world's
largest trade book publisher (Alfred A. Knopf, Bantam, Goldmann). Gruner + Jahr is Europe's
number one magazine publisher (Stern, Geo, Neon, Capital). The Sony BMG joint venture in the
BMG division is synonymous with creativity and strong international music brands (Beyoncé,
Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera). The Arvato media and communications
services division brings together distribution, service centers and customer-relationship
management, state-of-the art printing manufacturing, storage media production, mobile services, and comprehensive IT services. Bertelsmann's direct-to-customer businesses are unified within the Direct Group: book, DVD, and music clubs (Der Club, France Loisirs), as well as book retailers in France and Portugal

Smart Queries: New for Editors and Literary Agents

Hi Everyone,

Among important news items this week is our own unveiling of SMART QUERIES, a new online tool for editors and agents. Watch the 3-minute video to see what's up. Be sure you install Flash Player 9 on your computer before viewing.

More good news for writers is that bookstore sales are up for the third straight month this year. And a word of warning: The State of Indiana is suing Airleaf Publishing for fraud. Read all the news on Authorlink this week at www.authorlink.com

New online tool for editors and literary agents. 3-minute demo

News Updated Every Thursday
Last Update: May 15, 2008

Bookstore Sales See Third Straight Increase This Year

State of Indiana Files Suit Against Airleaf Publishing

HarperCollins Sales Steady In Third Quarter

Hachette Book USA Posts Strong Quarter, Lagardere Lags

Bertelsmann Profits Rise; Revenues Decline

HarperCollins Unveils First Interactive Sales Catalogue

Mayborn Conference To Feature Momaday And Other Top Authors

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Random House CCVDivision Takes Home Two Nibbie Awards

BA Conference Spawns New Ideas In Trade Initiatives

Amazon Discount Tactics Draw Ire From Publishers

Three New Political Books Dominate Media

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Random House Leadership Changing

Hi Everyone,

The big news this week is that Peter Olsen is rumored to be stepping down as CEO of Random House, U.SA. and Random House UK head Gail Rebuck is said to be moving to the U.S. to become his successor. Read all these stories and more at www.authorlink.com.

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Last Update: May 8, 2008

ABA Revamps Indy Book Sense Program To Rise to New Era

NY Times Says Random House CEO May Leave Bertelsmann

Amazon to Pay New York Taxes, Despite Lawsuit

PEN Petitions China to Free Jailed Writers

Ingram Joins ABA to Educate Indy Booksellers

Marvel Publishing Sales Drop 4% In First Quarter

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Scottish Publishers' Group Denies Charges Of Unaccountability

PN Speculates Over Rebuck Move to US

Famous Bookstore Foyles Plans To Double Size

US Freight Company Buys Activair

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Random House CEO Departing

NY Times Says
Random House CEO
May Leave Bertelsmann

NEW YORK, NY/5/5/2008--The New Publish PostYork Times today ran an unconfirmed report that Random House CEO Peter Olson will leave RH and its parent company, Bertelsmann, within several months. Neither Bertelsmann nor Random House would comment on the Times story. However, Bertelsmann's new chief executive Hartmut Ostrowski and others reportedly have been concerned about lagging performance at Random House, where revenue declined 5.6% and earnings fell 4.9% in 2007.

Olson, who had been ill with pneumonia late last year, is said to be considering other non-publishing opportunities. Bertelsmann is expected to formally announce the executive change during its board meeting, scheduled in a few weeks. Though their is no apparent successor to Olsen, The Times said Random House UK head Gail Rebuck is a potential candidate.

This is not the first time rumors have circulated about Olson's department. At the London Book Fair in April, there was talk of his departure, and a German magazine published an article in April saying he would leave the company within a few months.

Olson, in addition to serving as CEO of Random House, also manages Bertelsmann Direct North American. The book club unit was put up for sale earlier this year.

Bestselling author Anne Stuart Featured

Hi Everyone,

Our May 1 edition is a big one, packed with new columns, news, video and other information. New York Times bestselling author Anne Stuart joins our CelebWire this month with a FREE short story.

See the video interview with bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby. Catch the new interviews with Gaby Triana, Laurie Wagner Buyer, and Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks, to mention a few.

Columnist Lisa Dale Norton examines The Truth About Memoir this month. Lisa Lenard Cook revisits The Mind of Your Story, and Rochelle Shapiro looks at The Anecdote Vs. the Story.

All this and more at www.authorlink.com

Best,

Doris