The failure of a recent bid to merge two large publishing companies shines a light on a central issue of cultural powerDespite a rise in self-publishing, commercial publishers are still the main gatekeepers of what arrives on our bookshelves. As such, they have great cultural and – if a book takes off – economic power. A case decided in a US court this week provided an insight into just how much of that power is now concentrated in a small handful of multinational companies.At issue was a planned merger of Simon & Schuster with Penguin Random House (PRH) – two of the so-called big five, which between them control 90% of the US publishing market, a fact not always obvious to the casual observer, as books usually carry on their spines the names of imprints, or subdivisions, of the parent company. PRH, itself the result of a mega-merger in 2013, runs about 300 imprints. Given the reach of these companies – PRH is active in more than 20 countries – the Department of Justice’s successful argument that the planned $2.2bn deal would “exert outsized influence over which books are published in the United States and how much authors are paid for their work” applies globally. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2022-11-04 18:25:28 UTC ]
As challenges to free expression show no signs of abating, Penguin Random House and the National Coalition Against Censorship have announced separate fundraising initiatives to counter the threat. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Washington, D.C., who urged President Donald Trump to show “mercy” in his second term, has inked deals with two Penguin Random House imprints for books for young people. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ahead of the States' National Library Week, Penguin Random House and Sourcebooks open a 'Banned on the Run a fundraising effort. The post Penguin Random House’s ‘Banned on the Run’ Event: US$10,000 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-03-26 02:24:13 UTC ]
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Booksellers take stand against influence of conservative billionaire by limiting orders of his company’s books and placing them on lower shelvesA conservative Catholic billionaire and media owner is facing an independent bookshop rebellion in France over his influence in the publishing... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2025-03-22 06:00:42 UTC ]
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Barbara Marcus, one of the most prominent and influential figures in children’s book publishing for decades, will step down as president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books on May 1. She will be succeeded by Mallory Loehr, currently EVP and publisher of the Random House Books for... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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After 25 years with Simon & Schuster, the company's UK and International publisher and CEO, Ian Chapman, is to step down in May. The post S&S UK and International CEO Ian Chapman Stepping Down appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-17 18:48:19 UTC ]
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Bologna's rights-business structure is evolving along with creative industries' growing engagement with book publishing. The post Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s Evolving Rights Hubs appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-15 01:29:36 UTC ]
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An announcement from Simon & Schuster’s publisher left the literary community wondering whether blurbs, the little snippets of praise on a book jacket, are all they’re cracked up to be. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2025-02-04 19:45:15 UTC ]
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South by Southwest, the long-running media and music conference in Austin, Tex., is launching a book imprint, SXSW Books, focusing on works by experts and innovators across creative industries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Publisher says expecting authors, agents and editors to secure blurbs can create ‘an incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem that often rewards connections over talent’When you buy a new book, you can usually expect to see praise from other authors emblazoned on its cover. A writer... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2025-01-31 17:27:59 UTC ]
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In a decision some might call “stunning” or a “tour-de-force,” new S&S publisher Sean Manning has decided to no longer require authors to obtain blurbs for their books. Here’s why. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
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More than three decades since its founding, Melbourne's Text Publishing is acquired by Penguin Random House Australia. The post Penguin Random House Acquires Melbourne’s Text Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-01-24 23:35:43 UTC ]
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Three of six 2024 shortlisted titles in the An Post Irish Book Awards were published by Penguin Random House imprints. The post The 2024 An Post Irish Winner: Donal Ryan’s ‘Heart, Be at Peace’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-01-24 17:17:21 UTC ]
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has made Ukraine’s book publishing industry a target of the war. But the industry and Ukrainian readers are keeping books alive as a source of Ukraine’s resilient culture, and of solace and distraction. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2025-01-23 20:59:20 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House Australia has acquired Text Publishing. A major Australian publishing house, Text's roster includes numerous prize winners and bold-faced names. The company will retain its editorial autonomy as part of PRHA. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The free expression–averse, tariff-happy president is in the White House once more. This time, the book business knows what to expect—mostly. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Online literary journal 'Joyland' has relaunched as Joyland Publishing, an independent nonprofit publisher of fiction. Under the new umbrella are a reimagined 'Joyland' magazine and Joyland Editions, a small press that will put out two novellas a year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
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