Category Archives: Uncategorized

Book View, February 2009

PEOPLE There are so many changes to report this month that we are highlighting only some of the moves and, where available, contact information. Rebecca (Becky) Saletan has been appointed Editorial Director of Riverhead, reporting to Publisher Geoff Kloske. She was most recently SVP and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Her appointment is effective March…Continue Reading

Netflix for Books?

It’s hard to remember a time when Netflix didn’t seem like a good idea. The company opened its first distribution center, in San Jose, CA, in 1998, and initially aimed to create the typical Blockbuster experience: Each rental was $4, plus $2 for postage, and there were late fees. In a 2002 interview with Wired…Continue Reading

Beyond the Bazaar

Despite its rich literary past, the Arab world today is more often thought of for its culture clashes and political discontent than its potential future as an international hub for book publishing. But with government cooperation and cash flow, it is easier for publishers to move past differences in societal standards and censorship battles to…Continue Reading

Trendspotting 2009: David Rothman’s Predictions

David Rothman Founder, Teleread.org Sure, Oprah loves the Kindle, Amazon’s gizmo for reading electronic books, even if it looks a bit like a Soviet-made adding machine. And a second model probably will be on the way—in fact, perhaps two. We just might see an econo-Kindle and a large-screened version for students. Forbes is so excited…Continue Reading

Trendspotting 2009: Lisa Holton’s Predictions

Lisa Holton Founder and President, Fourth Story Media Since there are enough dire predictions rolling in at a steady clip, here are some potential positives to be taken in context of a year we all acknowledge will be challenging. • More wagons venturing further into the digital frontier: There is still a wide spectrum of…Continue Reading

Book View, January 2009

PEOPLE In the Random House reorganization, which moved Bantam to RHPG, Irwyn Applebaum has left, as has Bantam Dell Group SVP, Director of Creative Marketing, Betsy Hulsebosch. She may be reached at (914) 772-1022. Barb Burg, SVP Executive Director Publicity and PR, will also be leaving, after 24 years, on January 30. She may be…Continue Reading

Trendspotting 2009: Liz Thomson and Nicholas Clee’s Predictions

Liz Thomson and Nicholas Clee Founders, Bookbrunch.co.uk Many trends become apparent in the US book market before finding their way to the UK, and, unfortunately, recession is one of them. At the Frankfurt Book Fair this October, publishers in the UK aisles were reasonably sanguine (about prospects for the coming season, at least), while their…Continue Reading

ad:tech New York 2008: Curating for Relevance, Parsing What’s Social

PT thanks New York-based marketing consultant Rich Kelley for this report. “Content is no longer something you hand down from on high on a sacred tablet,” advised John Byrne, editor-in-chief of BusinessWeek. Today it’s more like “a campfire that you use to gather people. What becomes important is what then happens among the people.” The…Continue Reading

A Cup of Good Cheer: Publishers Do Good in 2008

In these tough economic times, it’s nice to hear something other than bad news. So here’s our third annual roundup of publishers doing good. We hope it warms your heart and inspires you in the New Year—here’s to 2009! Each summer, Robin Straus of the Robin Straus Agency volunteers at Circle of Tapawingo, a weeklong…Continue Reading

Book View, December 2008

PEOPLE Hachette Book Group has hired Kenneth Michaels as Chief Operating Officer. He succeeds Beth Ford, who left in September, and will join the company on January 5. He was most recently SVP of Global Business Process Management for the McGraw-Hill Companies. Marie Coolman will join Hyperion as Executive Director of Publicity, taking over the…Continue Reading