Penguin Group hit with age discrimination suit

Some well-kept secrets at Penguin Group, most notably the succession plan for its CEO, were put on display late Wednesday with the filing of an age discrimination lawsuit by the book publisher's former longtime head of corporate communications, Marilyn Ducksworth. Her lawyers charge Penguin with dismantling her staff and diminishing her executive responsibilities "in an orchestrated, coordinated effort to force her to leave." In addition, Penguin retaliated when she protested the company's "discriminatory actions against her and other older employees," the complaint said. Ms. Ducksworth, 56, resigned Aug. 31. She had been senior vice president of corporate communications and executive director of publicity of the imprints G.P. Putnam's Sons and Riverhead Books, and associate publisher of Putnam. On Thursday, the suit was a source of much discussion in the closely knit publishing world, where Ms. Ducksworth is widely liked and highly regarded. Age discrimination is also a sensitive topic at publishing houses, insiders say, pointing to the constant pressure to cut costs, which can make high-salaried veterans more likely to be targeted in restructurings. Penguin, a unit of the U.K.-based publishing giant Pearson, disputes the charges. "Marilyn Ducksworth has been a valued Penguin employee for many years," a company spokeswoman said in a statement. "She made the decision to resign and left the company of her own volition on Aug. 31st. We are saddened that she has chosen to... Continue reading at 'Crains New York'

[ Crains New York | 2012-09-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #punitive damages #junot diaz #story collection

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Penguin Group hit with age discrimination suit'


Toronto breaks 86-year temperature record as unseasonable warmth hits

Temperatures are soaring across Ontario, with Toronto breaking a daily record and other cities poised to follow suit. The temperature cracked 11 C by 10 a.m. Friday at Toronto Pearson International Airport, busting a daily record set on the same day in 1938. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2024-02-09 17:27:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #follow suit #pearson


‘We didn’t expect this phenomenon to last’: France’s comic-book tradition is hitting new heights

The market for bédé visual storytelling almost doubled over the course of the pandemic, but can the birthplace of Asterix continue to nurture creators?Like thousands of French people, Sylvie Pinault discovered comic books during the pandemic. Though bandes dessinées – literally meaning “drawn... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-02-06 14:00:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #big publishers #graphic novel


Jonathan Escoffery: ‘I was trying to write novels aged nine’

The If I Survive You author on the suspense of the Booker ceremony, Americans’ warped view of the Caribbean, and writing his next novel on the roadJonathan Escoffery, 43, was born in Texas and lives in Oakland, California. His debut, If I Survive You, about a second-generation Jamaican in Miami,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-01-27 18:00:42 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #booker prize #jonathan escoffery #short stories


New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Publisher Gungnir Hopes to Hit Its Target

Gungnir, a new sci-fi/fantasy publisher helmed by comics veterans Jim Krueger and Steve Orlando, will launch in April 2024. Named after the staff of the Norse god Odin, which always hit its target, Gungnir will publish a mix of graphic novels, prose novels, and art books in the sci-fi/fantasy... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-25 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #graphic novels #art books


Penguin Random House to Distribute Wattpad Webtoon

PRH's publisher services division has signed a multi-year sales and distribution agreement with Wattpad Webtoon Book Group as its presence in the world of comics and graphic novel distribution continues to grow. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #distribution agreement #graphic novel #book group #publisher services #random house


Layoffs Hit Arcadia Publishing

The Charleston, S.C.–based publisher, which specializes in nonfiction books of local interest and regional history, laid off an unspecified number of employees last week. A source, who asked to remain anonymous, told PW that the number was 16, across multiple departments. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #unspecified number #based publisher #nonfiction books #remain anonymous #told pw


OverDrive: Record Number of Libraries Hit One Million Digital Lends in 2023

Another year, another record: OverDrive reps reported this week that 152 libraries around the world reached million-checkout milestone last year, including 23 first-timers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #record number #libraries


The Ekus Group Joins Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency

Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency has acquired cookbook-focused literary agency the Ekus Group, which will operate as a boutique culinary division. Owner Sally Ekus will head up representation of cookbook and lifestyle titles as senior literary agent. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ekus group #lifestyle titles #cookbook #literary agency


Hachette Book Group Delivers Mixed Environmental Report for 2023

This year, 100% of Hachette Book Group's overall paper usage came from Forest Stewardship Certified and Sustainable Forestry Initiative fiber. Use of recycled fiber, however, fell. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #recycled fiber #book group


Internet Archive Seeks Reversal in Book Scanning Suit

In a highly anticipated appeal brief, officials at the Internet Archive argued that district court judge John G. Koeltl misunderstood the facts and misapplied the law in finding that the IA’s scanning and lending of print library books infringed publishers’ copyrights. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-18 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Penguin Random House Acquires Self-Help Publisher Hay House

Hay House, founded by the late Louise Hay and acquired by Penguin Random House, has offices in Australia, India, the States, and UK. The post Penguin Random House Acquires Self-Help Publisher Hay House appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-12-13 03:58:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #hay house #penguin random house #random house


Penguin Random House Acquires Hay House

Penguin Random House has acquired the self-help and health and wellness publisher, which puts out roughly 100 books a year and boasts a 1,500-title backlist. CEO Reid Tracy will continue to lead the house. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #wellness publisher #penguin random house #random house


In the UK: Marcus Leaver Announces Gemini Books Group

The former chief of Quarto and Welbeck, Marcus Leaver announces the formation of a new publisher, the Gemini Books Group. The post In the UK: Marcus Leaver Announces Gemini Books Group appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-12-04 20:15:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books group #quarto


Marcus Leaver Returns to Publishing with Gemini Books Group

The former Sterling Publishing, Quarto Publishing, and Welbeck Publishing Group head has formed Gemini Books Group, which will focus on publishing nonfiction gift books and children’s books in both the U.K. and U.S. markets. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sterling publishing #quarto


Penguin Random House Sues the US State of Iowa

Penguin Random House — along with the Iowa State Education Association, authors, students, and educators — is taking Iowa to court for its law against sexual content in books. The post Penguin Random House Sues the US State of Iowa appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-11-30 23:47:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sexual content #penguin random house #random house


Regnery Publishing Will Stay with Salem Media Group

Salem Media Group, parent company of Regnery Publishing, has been selling assets in an effort to cut its debt debt load, but a proposed sale of the publisher has been called off. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #regnery publishing #selling assets


Penguin Random House, Authors Sue to Block Iowa Anti-LGBTQ Book Banning Law

Penguin Random House and the Iowa State Education Association, along with four bestselling authors and five plaintiffs from the state of Iowa, have sued the state to block key provisions of its sweeping new law banning books with sexual or LGBTQ+ content in schools. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bestselling authors #penguin random house


Book Review: ‘Critical Hits,’ edited by J. Robert Lennon and Carmen Maria Machado

In the anthology “Critical Hits,” gamers like Hanif Abdurraqib, Alexander Chee and Larissa Pham explain what the medium means to them. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-20 10:00:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book review #robert lennon #hanif abdurraqib #alexander chee #anthology