The Independent is up for sale. The paper's founder, and current chairman of its publishing company, Andreas Whittam Smith, has been authorised to seek out a buyer.The owners, Alexander Lebedev and his son, Evgeny, have been indicating for some time that they would be happy to dispose of the paper and its sister titles, i, and the Independent on Sunday.They have made various cryptic statements over the last six months about their willingness to offload loss-making papers that they see no prospect of turning into profit.Alexander Lebedev's fortunes, based on a variety of businesses in Russia, have declined dramatically over the last couple of years.The first major indication of his decision to sell the papers was two key changes of personnel on the board of the company responsible for running them, Independent Print.Whittam Smith moved from being a non-executive director to become chairman. And, most striking of all, Evgeny stood down from the board.The official line from Independent Print is that Whittam Smith is merely seeking new investors. But the reality is that the papers are in play. Whittam Smith is said to feel "honour bound" to save the title he launched in 1986 and to do all he can to find someone willing to continue publishing the paper.At present, bankers have not been appointed. And no genuine bidder, thus far, has emerged. (Rumours some weeks ago that Charles Saatchi was interested were quickly scotched).It would appear that Whittam Smith has put out a... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2014-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Hannah Davies Publication Date: Mon, 18/04/2011 - 09:07 The Buyers Guide website is now accepting submissions for the Autumn 2011 Adult and Childrens Buyers Guides. Eligible titles are those published between July and December 2011. The website will close to submissions on... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Caroline Horn Publication Date: Fri, 15/04/2011 - 08:56 An e-fiction venture aimed at tweens and teenagers is being launched by packager Discovery Books in May. Called Fiction Express, it will invite teenagers to buy books in instalments and to vote to decide the direction of the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page, Philip Jones and Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Wed, 13/04/2011 - 09:28 Bricks and mortar bookshops in the United States face a grim future, with the heaviest book buyers choosing to buy digitally, delegates at London Book Fair were told. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Mon, 11/04/2011 - 14:00 Two titles from Atlantic feature on the "compelling" 2011 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize shortlist, revealed today (11th April) at London Book Fair. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Thu, 07/04/2011 - 16:03 Online retailer Play.com has announced it is seeking investment for European expansion. The internet bookseller and UKs market leader in online DVD sales revealed today (7th April) it has appointed Lazard to explore... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Wed, 30/03/2011 - 15:14 The Independent Retail Group (IRG) has folded, closing five of its bookshops and selling the remaining 11. The company, a subsidiary of Three C Publishing, bought the 16 stores in 2005, employing managers to make independent... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A b-to-b publisher shares lessons from its first app launch including mobilizing Web sites and implementing QR codes. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Administrators are trying to sell 103 Borders and Angus & Robertson bookshops, after the parent of the book chains crumbled under its debt burden. Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald
[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Fri, 04/03/2011 - 09:12 National Reading Group Day is among the new features designed to boost the importance of indie retailers during this years Independent Booksellers Week. The Booksellers Association has just announced that the annual IBW will... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Philip Jones Publication Date: Thu, 03/03/2011 - 08:45 Half of all book buyers expect to pay less for ebooks, according to new research by Mintel, but those book readers who already own ebook devices have marginally more realistic expectations over price, suggesting that the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While all the big box stores carry books and all offer discounted bestsellers, Target competes most directly for those consumers who might otherwise make their purchases at bookstores. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A year-old social networking and digital distribution platform that aims to bring writers and agents together has created a contest to find "the next big crime fiction blockbuster." Circalit, launched in February 2010 as a place for screenwriters to showcase their work to studios, began inviting... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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