People want stories and that means cultivating a publishing ecosystem where big and small can flourishThis week both the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and the Department of Justice in the US announced investigations into the planned $2.2bn acquisition of the publisher Simon & Schuster by Bertelsmann, which already owns Penguin Random House. The merger, if allowed, would see Bertelsmann have almost one-third of English-language book sales. The move follows a year when a population cocooned at home, reaching for comfort reading, inflated the profits of big publishers. Bloomsbury and Pan Macmillan recently announced that they would be returning furlough payments; HarperCollins did not take them.Many of the UK’s smaller publishers fared rather differently: a Bookseller survey last summer found 60% feared they would cease to exist by autumn. Indies tend not to have the backlists full of household names that, say, a Penguin has; they depend far more on serendipity, on a customer wandering into a shop intending to buy one thing but coming out with something else as well. This happens far less with online shopping; at least one publisher lost up to 90% in sales. Some also found it difficult to qualify for furlough. They took to social media to announce their plight, or to try new selling tactics; some crowdfunded; some received emergency Arts Council England cash. Many were dragged back from the brink, for which we should be grateful. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2021-03-28 17:25:47 UTC ]
Bertelsmann has formally completed the full acquisition of Penguin Random House, following the sale of Pearson's remaining 25% stake for $675m (£530m). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-01 12:09:24 UTC ]
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Under an agreement set to close April 30, HarperCollins will buy Egmont Books UK, Egmont’s book business in Poland, and the German unit Schneiderbuch. All three focus on the children's market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A surge in online sales at Powell's Books in Portland, Ore., has allowed the bookseller to rehire 49 previously laid off union employees, ILWU Local 5 has confirmed. They are now working alongside more than 50 people in management to fulfill orders. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Orion has bagged the "visceral, sharp and achingly funny" debut of Kirsty Capes, a 26-year-old marketer at HarperCollins. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-27 06:01:58 UTC ]
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Rachel Denwood, who spent a decade helping to build HarperCollins Children’s Books into a big-brand kids’ giant, is looking to build a broader base of hits in her new role at Simon & Schuster Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-27 05:21:13 UTC ]
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HarperCollins division Avon Books has re-signed author Sue Moorcroft in a three-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-26 17:41:45 UTC ]
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BISG surveys the impact on publishing of the COVID-19 emergency, and Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins withdraw from BookExpo. The post BookExodus: More Big Five Withdrawals, and BISG Opens a COVID-19 Survey appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-26 14:30:42 UTC ]
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Pages & Co author Anna James has created an online and interactive middle-grade book club called The Bookwanderers Club, supported by her publisher HarperCollins Children's Books. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-26 10:05:59 UTC ]
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Pan Macmillan has said it is “forensically reviewing” its publication programme to decide on possible title moves following the closure of major high street chains during the coronavirus crisis. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-24 15:41:34 UTC ]
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At the coronavirus outbreak reshapes our industry, The Bookseller is inviting staff members from across the book trade to share their experiences of working during the coronavirus outbreak. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-24 12:47:26 UTC ]
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A bookseller at BookPeople reflects on a week of online and curbside fulfillment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-20 12:00:32 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has bought London-based academic and non-fiction publisher Zed for £1.75m. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-20 03:56:43 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House and Pan Macmillan lead the pack among the shortlists for the trade categories of the British Book Awards 2020. Penguin Random House has 17 nominations and Pan Macmillan has 12. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-19 16:38:25 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has released a pre-close trading update for the 12 months to 29th February 2020, saying its performance was in line with expectations. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-19 06:31:01 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury Publishing has won Imogen Crimp’s debut novel, The High Notes, in a four-way auction. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-17 18:04:44 UTC ]
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Pan Macmillan imprint Bluebird has promoted Hockley Raven Spare to commissioning editor. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-17 07:15:16 UTC ]
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While some regional indie bookseller organizations have canceled spring forum meetings, others are creatively tweaking schedules to put on unique events, ranging from virtual gatherings to mini-forums. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Pan Macmillan has announced it is closing its offices from close of play this Thursday (19th March), "until further notice", and has asked everyone at the company to work from home "for the foreseeable future". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-17 01:55:46 UTC ]
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Writer and comedian Adam Kay, who earlier today announced his high-profile move from publisher Pan Macmillan to Hachette’s Orion, has revealed he is postponing upcoming performances of his show “This is Going to Hurt”, based on his bestselling memoir, because of coronavirus concerns. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-11 17:44:33 UTC ]
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Workman has formed the Workman Audio imprint and named former HarperCollins Audio v-p and publisher Ana Maria Allessi head of the new unit. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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