A keen business mind and real commitment to the publishing industry are vital for a job that is all about selling – shy and retiring types need not apply Gordon Wise has been a literary agent at Curtis Brown for 10 years, and has a wide range of clients, from celebrities like Miranda Hart to novelists such as Armistead Maupin. He is also vice-president of the Association of Authors’ Agents. But becoming an agent wasn’t part of his original career plan and he reached this point via a varied and winding path through the world of books.Wise studied History and English at Edinburgh university, both, he says, “heavy reading” subjects. But his real introduction to books as business came when, as an undergraduate, he won a place on a scholarship programme at the University of Pennsylvania. “I was allowed to work under my visa and I got a part-time job as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble, which had a big downtown bookstore,” he says. The job gave him an insight into publishing and sparked a vocation that would lead him to his current career. “What I enjoyed about publishing was that it is the place where business and creativity meet; you would be working with these wonderfully creative people – the writers – but trying to turn what they have created into something of commercial value.”If you are made an offer straight away, ask for a better offer. If you don't ask, you will never know Related: Small publishers are benefiting from changes in the industry Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2015-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
As the new head of Barnes & Noble, Demos Parneros knows his top priority is to stop the sales slide that has plagued the company’s retail stores. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Microsoft, which was Barnes & Noble's original partner on the Nook (before ending the relationship in 2014), is now back in the digital book market. According to reports, the tech giant's new online bookstore will sell hundred of thousands of frontlist and backlist titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A store in northern Maine wins a cash prize; college students petition for a Barnes & Noble; Houston gets a new Latino bookstore; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The overall message coming out of Winter Institute is that independent bookselling is thriving, particularly in light of the decline in ebook sales, Barnes & Noble’s continuing stumbles, and growing opportunities for community engagement. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Despite weak holiday sales at Barnes & Noble, CEO Len Riggio said there are no plans to accelerate store closings and that he expects the retailer to be "store positive" in the fiscal year ending in April 2018. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble Inc. posted its first decline in holiday sales in three years, hurt by a downturn in the coloring-book category, bringing another sign that the Christmas season wasn't kind to retailers. Same-store sales sank 9.1 percent for the nine-week holiday period, the New York-based... Continue reading at Baltimore Sun
[ Baltimore Sun | 2017-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With store traffic failing to significantly improve after the election, Barnes & Noble's sales did not meet expectations over the holiday period. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The ouster of Barnes & Noble's CEO, the sale of Perseus, and Follett's purchase of Baker & Taylor were the big publishing stories of 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The streaming giant has replaced still photos with moving images to enhance user experience by (hopefully) cutting down on browsing time. The streaming giant has replaced still photos with moving images to enhance user experience by (hopefully) cutting down on browsing... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2016-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New bookstores opened in Alabama, Maine, New York, and Tennessee; a suspicious fire temporarily closes a Barnes & Noble in Arizona; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble is looking to boost holiday sales with an aggressive promotion online at BN.com today, starting with a 15% discount on the entire order. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With the election over, the chain expects sales to pick up as the holiday gift-giving season approaches. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble's first concept store, originally slated to open in October in Eastchester, N.Y., opened on Tuesday morning. The official grand opening is set for December 2. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As it tries to improve sales of digital content, Barnes & Noble has introduced its cheapest Nook yet, the Nook Tablet 7”, priced at $49.99. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After several changes on when its new concept store in Eastchester, N.Y. will open, Barnes & Noble has now set November 22 as the new date. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A California bookseller tries to buy the store where he works; Barnes & Noble to open on Fifth Avenue--in Youngstown; a bookstore pops-up in the Bronx; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble has reached an agreement with its former CEO Ron Boire, who was abruptly fired in August, in which it will pay him nearly $5 million in exchange for his dropping all claims against the company. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-11-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New stores prep to open in Nebraska and Oregon; a bookstore in Colorado changes hands; Barnes & Noble to close a New Jersey location; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New York City loses another Barnes & Noble; Maine gains a bookstore; determined Oregon store stays open despite flooding; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After a slow start to the fiscal year, Riggio, who returned as Barnes & Noble's CEO after last month's ouster of Ron Boire, has plans to improve the bookseller's bottom line. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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