PEOPLE
Other than arch rivals co-venturing (viz. BOMC and the Doubleday Clubs) and sales departments reorganizing (first Random, then Harper, then S&S. . . ), it’s been a quiet few weeks. Well, not exactly quiet: First, word came that B&N’s David Cully was going to Lechters as President and COO, and then S&S announced that Steve Geck was leaving B&N to become VP, Associate Publisher of S&S Children’s Publishing, replacing Stephanie Owens Lurie, who moved to Dutton Children’s in October. . . Michael di Capua has moved his imprint to Hyperion Books for Children, reporting to Lisa Holton, SVP, Disney Publishing Worldwide. The imprint had been at HarperCollins. . . Bob Asahina has left Broadway “by mutual agreement,” and Jerry Howard has taken over those duties, while retaining his Doubleday position. . . Tracy Brown has left Henry Holt. . . Paul Bresnick has left Morrow. . . Karen Mender leaves Bantam-Dell for Pocket Books, where she will be VP, Deputy Publisher. Henning Gutmann, who was most recently an associate publisher at Wiley, moved to Yale U Press as senior editor.
A few defections to the eworld: John Conti, previously VP Marketing at Ballantine, has moved to Steve Brill’s new online business, Contentville.com, where he will oversee the development of its book site. . . Workman’s Anne Kostick has left to become Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. . . Kat Berman, previously at Penguin Putnam and then Brides.com, has gone to BlueBarn Interactive, a new media company that specializes in building virtual communities for clients like Martha Stewart Living and Yahoo! . . . Kate Tentler has been promoted to VP and Publisher of S&S Online. She succeeds Lisa Mandel, who wil remain on as a consultant.
As announced elsewhere, Ian Chapman has been named MD of S&S UK, replacing Nick Webb. . . Josalyn Moran has left North South Books and is reachable at (718) 858-5989. MaryChris Bradley has been hired as VP, Director of Sales, and Ellen Friedman, as VP, Art Director. . . Knopf announces that Deborah Garrison, currently at The New Yorker, will become Poetry Editor as well as Senior Editor at Pantheon. . . Perigee Books’ John Duff announced the promotion of Sheila Curry to the position of Executive Editor
. . . Hillel Black was named Executive Ed at Sourcebooks working out of his NY apt. The company — #2 on PW’s list of fastest growing small publishers — is going more “mainstream” and he will be acquiring in all areas of nonfiction.
DEALS
A quiet month, what with sales conferences, holiday parties, and last minute shopping. But Crown’s Kristen Kiser found time to acquire North American rights to an autobiography by Britney Spears. Frank Weimann agented the deal, which involves an advance against shared profits. The book will be with Britney and her mother, Lynne Spears, and will come out to coincide with her new album in May and tour in June. She will do three book signings for Crown, along with national media appearances.
DULY NOTED
A report filed by the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) entitled “Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy: The 1999 Report” reveals that US copyright industries make up 4.3% of the US GDP ($348.4 billion) and contribute more to the national economy and employ more workers than any single manufacturing sector.
PRIZES
It would seem that, even if authors don’t make the cut for Regis Philbin’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire (See the show! Buy Hyperion’s book!), they can still win a prize, as the number of book awards continues to rise. Amazon lists 58 awards-giving organizations. And though Don Imus seems to have taken his well-publicized prize away, others have jumped into the fray. The New Yorker is soliciting nominees for its new awards for “literary excellence,” to be given out on Feb. 14, the 75th anniversary of the magazine’s founding. The Bagehot Council has just announced the Henry Paolucci Awards, to be given out next October to books on domestic or foreign policy, law, and history.
Then of course, there are Microsoft’s Frankfurt ebook awards, which will be presented at next year’s Fair. With one prize worth $100,000, this is an award everyone will watch for, though the site, http://frankfurt-ebook-awards.org doesn’t look like it’s live yet. Only the press release from the Fair is available, though submissions are supposed to start coming in this month.
PARTIES
More anniversaries to celebrate, with Clarkson Potter toasting its 40th year at a party at Random East that attendees said was delightful. Mr. Clarkson Potter himself was present, though he had a hard time getting past the receptionist, who couldn’t grasp the eponymousness of it all. About 150 people showed up, including Chairman-elect of Bertelsmann’s worldwide publishing, Peter Olsen, Random House President Eric Engstrom, Martha Stewart, Nancy Novogrod, past publisher Carol Southern, and current Publisher Lauren Shakely.
Abrams’ 50th anniversary party was held at The University Club on December 9th, and was attended by 800 guests ranging from Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Geoffrey Beene and Leroy Nieman to Richard Oldenburg, John Russell and Rosamond Bernier.
Two nights before, the Barefoot Books offices in London and Cotswold converged at their new downtown Manhattan digs for their 1st Annual Children’s Illustrator Exhibition and Millennium Party. Founder Tessa Strickland introduced the New York staff and articulated the mission of the company to highly interested parties.
The fine wine and Blackbird Julips flowed at the elegant soiree for Dan Halpern’s new book of poetry Something Shining (Knopf). In attendance: Jane Friedman, Lynn Nesbit, ICM’s Heather Schroeder, Robert Stone, Francine Prose, Ginger Barber, Academy of American Poets Executive Director Bill Wadsworth, Maria Campbell, and others.
Reader’s Digest held its annual party at Sea Grill, on Dec. 9. Holiday shoppers and crowds protesting Nike’s and Disney’s use of sweatshops didn’t deter shrimp-seeking publishers from descending on the restaurant in hordes. The view of the Rockefeller Center skating rink was magnificent.
IN MEMORIAM
A “celebration of the life of Faith Sale” will take place on Friday, Jan. 7 at 2 pm in The Great Hall at Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street at Third Ave. A reception will follow.
