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Harlequin adds a non-disparagement clause to their freelancer contract
The non-disparagement clause prohibits contractors from making derogatory statements about the publisher
A new craft books series from a UK publisher
White Owl Books has a new craft series debuting in May, with the first titles publishing in North America.
A new business imprint at the University of Virginia
UVA’s Darden School of Business is partnering with the University of Virginia Press on a new business publishing imprint.
Largest US printer files Chapter 11
In a move that was expected before the arrival of COVID-19, the largest US book printer, LSC Communications, has filed for bankruptcy.
Candlewick and MIT Press launch joint imprints for the juvenile market
The two Boston-based publishers will collaborate on MIT Kids Press and MITeen Press to publish books on science and technology.
Coronavirus Update: April 15, 2020
Book publishers, bookstores, and others move into cost-cutting mode as US print sales dip on a year-on-year basis.
How to Plan and Host Worthwhile Online Book Events
With many book-marketing plans now upended, the entirety of the publishing community has turned its eye toward online events.
To Pitch or Not to Pitch: It’s a Strange Time to Be Submitting or Acquiring Work
Even though agents and editors may be attempting to conduct business as usual, the coronavirus undoubtedly affects acquisitions.
Coronavirus Update: April 1, 2020
Each sector of the book-publishing industry faces unique challenges; here are the latest developments and reports from each sector.
Closing Image: April 1, 2020
online sales at independent bookstore websites have increased exponentially in 2020 versus the same time last year.
Hot Sheet Index: April 1, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed the amount raised to benefit independent booksellers. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation raised $700,000.
PublishDrive now offers print, ebook, audio distribution under one roof
The distributor now holds the distinction of being the first service for self-published authors that can distribute all three major book formats.
New agent representing adult nonfiction
Laura Mazer has joined Wendy Sherman Associates as a literary agent. Previously, she was executive editor at Seal Press.
The Internet Archive announces the National Emergency Library, which seems designed to provoke a lawsuit
Each title in its catalog can be borrowed simultaneously by anyone worldwide at no cost—and with no compensation to publishers or authors.
ACX temporarily increases royalties on audiobooks but eliminates royalties for promotion codes
If you’re distributing your audiobook using ACX/Audible, then you have a small reason to celebrate.
Skyhorse publishes Woody Allen memoir, also lays off 30 percent of staff
As of today, only the ebook edition is available, not the print.
New agent at The Rights Factory
Emmy Nordstrom Higdon is primarily looking to represent authors of literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction.
Penguin Random House sees a tiny bit of growth in 2019 and braces itself for a downturn
The world’s largest trade book publisher, Penguin Random House, showed organic growth of 1.5 percent in 2019.
Penguin Random House partners with a comic book publisher
The audio division of PRH is now collaborating with Rebellion to produce science fiction audiobooks.
Coronavirus’s Early Effects on the Publishing Industry
Event cancellations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential fallout, with independent bookstores particularly at risk.
Big Five Publisher Simon & Schuster Is for Sale
it looks like the Big Five may soon become the Big Four. Simon & Schuster’s parent company, ViacomCBS, has announced its intention to sell.
Researching Amazon Keywords and Categories: A Look at the Paid Research Tools
Majority of US book sales happening online, importance of a book’s discoverability through retailers like Amazon can hardly be overstated.
Hot Sheet Index: March 18, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed the U.S. trade publishing sales in 2019 and 2018. Change in US trade sales for adult work in 2019: -1.9%.
Closing Image: March 18, 2020
AAP recently released its StatShot report for December 2019, for a full-year look at 2019 performance versus 2018.
A new YA paperback imprint from a Big Five house
Delacorte Press (under Penguin Random House) is launching Underlined, a YA imprint that will publish thriller, romance, and horror.
A new sustainability imprint from Pan Macmillan (UK)
The publisher says One Boat refers to the power of one—how one person can make a huge impact and one habit can make a big difference.
Bookable: a podcast focused on how a book came to be
The host of a new biweekly show about books is author Amanda Stern, the creator of the Happy Ending Music and Reading Series in New York.
Workman has formed its own audiobook division
The trade publisher will be mining opportunities on its frontlist and backlist as well as considering audio-first projects.
RBMedia has acquired GraphicAudio
GraphicAudio is a producer of dramatized audio content featuring full casts of actors, sound effects, and cinematic music.
Macmillan abandons library ebook embargo
Possibly bowing to numerous sources of pressure, Macmillan has abandoned its unpopular ebook embargo.
Woody Allen memoir canceled after publisher’s employees stage walkout
On Friday, March 7, Hachette announced the book’s cancellation and reverted all rights to Allen.
Critics of American Dirt speak face-to-face with Oprah and the author
The discussion, streaming on Apple TV+, features author Jeanine Cummins and three Latina authors, all critical of the book.
The latest James Daunt profile, this time at Bloomberg
This long read on the history of Barnes & Noble is a good primer on the fortunes of the chain.
The biggest book printer in the United States teeters on bankruptcy
LSC has shown signs of struggle due to a drop in printing demand across multiple sectors, which is exacerbated by its heavy debt load.
What’s selling to libraries?
Mystery, thriller, romance, literary, and women’s were the top print fiction subjects purchased by US public libraries last year.
Closing Image: March 4, 2020
Videos aimed at children on YouTube are highly popular; they receive nearly three times as many views on average as other types of videos.
Ingram Establishes Content Integrity Guidelines
Concerns in the publishing community bad actors have been taking advantage of services to publish and distribute masses of low-quality books.
PubWest 2020: Business Insights for Publishers outside of the Big Five
The vast majority of PubWest attendees publish a broad range of nonfiction, but there were an inspiring handful who were focused on fiction
The Market May Now Be Ready: Translation for Self-Published Authors
Since Amazon advertising is available in its Germany, France, Spain, and Italy storefronts, gamble on translations is more likely to pay off.
Hot List Index: March 4, 2020
The Hot Sheet Index reviewed the number of You Tube channels and the hours of content released by these channels in one week.
Hallmark and Walmart partner on mass-market romance line
Starting Feb. 25, one Hallmark romance novel will be highlighted each week at Walmart, beginning with Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen.
Maria Rogers joins The Tobias Literary Agency
Rogers seeks smart cultural criticism, original journalism, science writing, children’s nonfiction, ancient history, and contemporary issues.
Publishing trade shows and book fairs canceled due to coronavirus
As of today, just about every international gathering of publishing-industry professionals in March has been postponed or canceled.
Sales and earnings down at Simon & Schuster after a bad fourth quarter
The CEO blames the lack of a 2019 blockbuster title, plus higher costs on book printing in China due to Trump tariffs.