PublishersWeekly.com

Globe Pequot Makes Third Acquisition this Year

Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In its second acquisition in two weeks and third this year, the Globe Pequot Publishing Group has acquired Bower House, an independent book publisher based in Denver.

Diamond Comic Distributors to Be Sold to Universal, Ad Populum

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Diamond Comic Distributors has received court approval to go ahead with the sales of its assets to Universal Distributors and Ad Populum, which filed a joint bid for the bankrupt company. An attempt by rival bidder Alliance to delay the deal failed.

S&S Inks Joint Venture with Urano World Publishing

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The deal teams Simon & Schuster’s bilingual imprint, Primero Sueño Press, with one of the biggest independent publishers in Spain and Latin America across several initiatives.

More Headaches for Diamond Comic Distributors

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In three separate filings, a U.S. trustee moved to convert Diamond’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case into a Chapter 7, which could liquidate its assets; Diamond once again requested a sale to Universal and Ad Populum, with a twist; and Alliance filed a new lawsuit charging that Diamond inflated the value of its business.

Alliance Calls Off Diamond Comic Distributors Deal

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In yet another twist in the Diamond Comic bankruptcy proceedings, Alliance Entertainment terminated its agreement to purchase the company’s assets the day before an April 25 court hearing. Diamond owners promised to announce a new deal “very shortly.”

Globe Pequot to Buy Square One Publishers

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In its second purchase this year, Jed Lyons’s Globe Pequot Publishing Group has agreed to acquire the nonfiction indie publisher Square One Publishers, which was founded by Rudy Shur in 1999.

PanelFly Launches Online Marketplace for Comic Book Distribution

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Austin-based startup PanelFly has launched what it describes as the first online wholesale marketplace connecting retailers directly with comics publishers.

WH Smith Bookstores Sold, Renamed TGJones

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The 250-year-old U.K.-based chain of 480 outlets has been sold for £76 million to private equity firm Modella Capital and will operate under a new name. The WH Smith brand name and travel divisions were not included in the sale.

Diamond Comic Distributors Has a Buyer. Now What?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

After two months of intense speculation, the comics business finally has an answer to its biggest question of late: the bankrupt Diamond Comic Distributors is slated for acquisition by Alliance Entertainment, a new player in the sector.

Globe Pequot Agrees to Buy Waterford Press

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Globe's purchase of the Florida-based guidebook publisher is its first acquisition since its sister company, Rowman & Littlefield, was sold to Bloomsbury last May. Globe CEO Jed Lyons (pictured) said the purchase marks first of many niche acquisitions that the company hopes to make now that it is focused solely on the trade market.

Zando Acquires Tin House

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The respected literary press, founded in 2002, will become an imprint of the expanding independent publisher Zando, which was launched by former Crown publisher Molly Stern in 2020.

The Book Business Prepares for Tariff Turmoil

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

New Trump Administration tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China have been delayed yet again, only adding to uncertainty among publishers and printers about what the levies could mean for their businesses.

Readerlink Will Stop Distributing Mass Market Paperbacks at the End of 2025

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The move, by the country's largest distributor of mass market paperbacks, is a severe blow to the format, which has seen steadily declining sales but is still the cheapest option for buying print books.

Match Makers: How the Fisher Company Serves the Publishing M&A Market

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Looking to acquire or sell a business in the publishing space? The Fisher Company can help. (Sponsored)

Six Publishers Form the Stable Book Group

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Chris Gruener and Keith Riegert have launched Stable Book Group. The company brings together four extant independent publishers—She Writes Press, Trafalgar Square Books, Ulysses Press, and VeloPress—with the newly established Galpón Press and Mountain Gazette Books.

Bowker Rejoins ISNI Global Identification Effort

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The ISBN services company has rejoined the ISNI International Agency, which provides tools meant to ensure accurate attribution for authors’ and other creatives’ works across the supply chain.

Bloomsbury UK Reaches Last-Minute Contract Agreement With Amazon

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As of 10.30 p.m. GMT on January 23, Amazon and Bloomsbury reached an agreement in principle on a new contract following a threat by the e-tail giant to no longer sell Bloomsbury UK's titles in its online stores in select markets should the two parties fail to reach a deal by midnight on Jan. 24.

Bertelsmann Strikes 'Strategic Collaboration' with OpenAI

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Penguin Random House's parent company hopes to improve operating efficiencies and find new ways to create and distribute content through the agreement.

Penguin Random House Australia Acquires Text Publishing

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Penguin Random House Australia has acquired Text Publishing. A major Australian publishing house, Text's roster includes numerous prize winners and bold-faced names. The company will retain its editorial autonomy as part of PRHA.

Government Charges Three People in Publishing Scam

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A grand jury in San Diego has charged three people involved with PageTurner Press and Media in a publishing scam that the government contends defrauded elderly authors across the U.S. of almost $44 million.

HarperCollins Holland Acquires Gottmer's Lifestyle Imprints

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

HarperCollins Holland has agreed to acquire four lifestyle imprints from Gottmer Uitgevers Groep, including Becht (cookbooks and eco-friendly lifestyle), Altamira (mind, body, and spirit), Dominicus (travel guides), and Hollandia (water sports).

Proposed Change to Inclusive Access Program Dies

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The Department of Education has officially ended plans to change eligibility rules that could have undermined the viability of Inclusive Access programs, which allow college students to pay for educational materials at below market rates.

Deep Vellum Acquires U.K. Translation Publisher Fum d'Estampa

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Dallas-based Deep Vellum Publishing has acquired Fum d'Estampa Press, a British small press founded in 2020 that has published 30 translated works from Catalan, Spanish, French, and Norwegian.

Book Publishing M&A in 2024: An Active, but Not Seismic, Year for Deals

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Though there were no billion-dollar deals along the lines of private equity firm KKR’s 2023 sale of RBmedia and purchase of Simon & Schuster, the year did produce a number of notable acquisitions that indicate a few developing trends.

Crown Publishing Group Acquires Compendium

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Crown Publishing Grouphas acquired Compendium, the publisher of illustrated books, journals, and notecards.

Canada's Valsoft Acquires Edelweiss, Expanding Role in Publishing

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Montreal-based software company Valsoft Corporation has acquired Above the Treeline, Inc., developer of Edelweiss, the digital workflow platform for booksellers and publishers. The move follows Valsoft's majority stake purchase in publishing software Klopotek in August 2023.

Hachette Acquires Union Square & Co. from Barnes & Noble

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Barnes & Noble acquired Sterling Publishing Co. in 2003, and rebranded it as Union Square in January 2022, at the direction of B&N CEO James Daunt. Emily Meehan will continue to head Union Square, which will become part of HBG's Grand Central Publishing Group.

Wiley Creates AI Partnership Program

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Under Wiley AI Partnerships, the company will work with start-ups and scale-ups to develop AI tools that will help researchers use AI responsibly and effectively in their work.

Mackin Educational Resources Buys Booksource

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In a major deal in the educational wholesaling business, Mackin Educational Resources has acquired Booksource.

Perfect Bound Buys PubMatch

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The purchase of the global rights and licensing marketplace by Perfect Bound, which launched an online printing service last year, reflects founder Keith Riegert’s goal to help independent publishers streamline their services while boosting revenue.

U.K. PR Company Midas Opens U.S. Office

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

London-based communications and PR agency Midas has opened a U.S. office and hired Katharine Myers, most recently senior director of publicity at Little, Brown, to serve as deputy managing director in the U.S.

Andrews McMeel Buys Becca Anderson Titles from Mango

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Among the 10 titles acquired in the deal was 'Badass Affirmations,' which has sold more than 350,000 copies since its publication in 2018. Andrew McMeel hopes to publish new titles by Anderson.

Lerner Publishing Buys Sundance Newbridge

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Lerner Publishing Group has acquired the supplemental literacy solutions company Sundance Newbridge Publishing from Globe Pequot Publishing. The acquisition adds about 3,600 titles to the Lerner pre-K–8 catalog.

S&S Australia Agrees to Acquire Affirm Press

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The agreement to buy the Melbourne-based independent publisher is Simon & Schuster's second overseas acquisition since it was bought by KKR late last year.

Eurospan Finds a New Home at the Mare Nostrum Group

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The academic distribution arm of bankrupt U.K. distributor of United Independent Distributors has been acquired by the publishing services provider Mare Nostrum Group.

PEN America Union, Management Reach Tentative Agreement

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The agreement, which was reached on July 10, follows 21 months of bargaining and comes less than two weeks after members of the staff union PEN America United authorized a strike.

Vivendi Updates Plans to Spin Off Hachette in Three-Way Split

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Vivendi has updated its plans to separate into three entities. One of these would be the newly named company, Louis Hachette Group, which includes Vivendi’s 63.5% majority stake in Lagardère, the parent company of Hachette Livre.

Random House Is Buying Boom! Studios

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Random House Publishing Group has signed an agreement, expected to close later this summer, to acquire comic book and graphic novel publisher Boom! Studios. Boom! will become part of Random House Worlds.

RBmedia Agrees to Acquire Dreamscape Media

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The pending acquisition of Dreamscape will add more than 7,000 titles to RBmedia's catalog, giving the audiobook publishing giant more depth in such genres as mystery/thriller and romance.

Booktopia Asks for More Time

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A self-imposed deadline of June 28 by Booktopia to revive trading of its stock has come and gone, with the struggling Australian online retailer asking for another delay until July 19.

Webtoon Raises Over $300 Million in Public Offering

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The webcomics pioneer went public June 27 at a $21.00 per share price, the high end of its projected range, and generated total proceeds of about $315 million.

S&S Partners with Media Company Pave Studios

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Pave Studios, launched this spring and active primarily in the podcasting space, has formed a book publishing arm and signed co-publishing and distribution agreements with Simon & Schuster.

Trip Adler Looks to Build a Bridge Between Creators, AI Companies

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The cofounder and former CEO of Scribd envisions Created by Humans as a plug-and-play platform that will encourage AI companies to legally license content from authors and publishers.

Blue Star Press Steps Up

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Bend, Ore.–based publisher Blue Star Press's purchase of Sasquatch Books from Penguin Random House earlier this month is the latest effort by the company's cofounder and CEO Peter Licalzi to build a mid-size independent publisher.

Penguin Random House Will Expand Its Indiana Warehouse

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The publisher has reached an agreement with officials in Crawfordsville, Ind., to expand its distribution facility in the city, and will receive $5.6 million in tax incentives to do so.

College Community Rallies Against DOE Effort that Would Upend Inclusive Access Programs

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The college instructional materials community and a number of book business organizations are in the final stages of trying to fight off a plan by the Department of Education that would make it more cumbersome for college students to take part in programs that permit them to buy instructional materials at a discount.

Blue Star Press Buys Sasquatch Books from PRH

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Bend, Ore.–based Blue Star Press has acquired Sasquatch Books from Penguin Random House, which had bought the Seattle-based publisher and distribution client in 2017.

Bloomsbury Buys Rowman & Littlefield Academic Division for $83 Million

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In one bold move, the Bloomsbury accomplished two of its main goals for the year: adding to its academic holdings and expanding its presence in the U.S.

Pushkin Press Acquires Steerforth Press and Hanover Publisher Services

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Pushkin Press, the London-based publisher, has acquired New Hampshire–based narrative nonfiction publisher Steerforth Press and its sister company Hanover Publisher Services.

Indigo Shareholders Approve Sale of Canada's Largest Bookstore Chain

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

By large majorities, Indigo shareholders approved the sale of the Canadian bookstore chain to private equity firms controlled by Canadian billionaire Gerald Schwartz, an Indigo board member and the husband of Indigo founder and CEO Heather Reisman.

TokyoPop Moves Its Distribution to Penguin Random House

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Beginning January 1, Penguin Random House Publisher Services will sell and distribute the entire TokyoPop frontlist and backlist across all sales channels worldwide.

Abrams Buys Taunton Books

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Following its acquisition of Taunton Press in December, the enthusiast magazine publisher Active Interest Media has sold the Taunton Books imprint to Abrams.

IPG, Itasca Add More Small Press Distribution Clients

Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Independent Publishers Group and Itasca Books have both signed former SPD clients to new distribution deals. IPG has taken on nine new publishers, while Itasca has picked up five.

Arcadia Publishing Acquires Dry Climate Studios

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The purchase of children's publisher Dry Climate, best known for its alphabetical books spotlighting cities, states, and regions across the U.S., is the latest in a string of acquisitions made by the regional books publisher Arcadia.

Simon & Schuster Acquires Dutch Publisher Veen Bosch & Keuning

Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

S&S has acquired VBK, the largest Dutch book publishing house, and its subsidiaries and sister companies. The move marks the first major instance of a promised international expansion at S&S since its acquisition by private equity firm KKR last year.

Agate Rolls Out Its Publishing Academy

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Doug Seibold, founder of Agate Publishing, has begun marketing the Agate Publishing Academy, a program he created to provide an affordable online professional development option to aspiring publishers and book business veterans alike.

Barnes & Noble Education Strikes New Financing Agreement

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

For the second time in less than a year, Barnes & Noble Education has reached a last-minute agreement that provides the company with the liquidity it needs to continue to operate.

Rizzoli International to Acquire Chelsea Green Publishing

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The New York City–based subsidiary of Italian publisher the Mondadori Group has agreed to acquire the White River Junction, Vt.–based independent book publisher of titles on politics and sustainability.

PWxyz, Lantia End Relationship

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The parent company of 'Publishers Weekly' and the Seville, Spain–based publishing company have ended their business arrangement. With the end of the agreement, Lantia will no longer publish the bimonthly publication 'PW en Español.'

Indigo Agrees to Buyout Offer

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Indigo Books & Music, Canada's troubled largest bookseller, has agreed to accept an offer of C$2.50 per share from two investment firms that will take the company private should the transaction be approved by shareholders later this spring.

PEN Union Cries Foul in Contract Talks as Criticism of PEN America Intensifies

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A proposal in ongoing contract negotiations between PEN America management and PEN America United, its staff union, has led to charges by the union that the organization’s leadership is trying to stifle union members’ free speech rights—an assertion PEN management firmly disputes.

Scholastic in $186 Million Deal with 9 Story

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Scholastic has acquired 100% of the economic interest in 9 Story Media Group, a Toronto-based creator, producer, and distributor of children’s content.

Arcadia Publishing Acquires Belt Publishing

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Arcadia's purchase of the Cleveland-based house gives the publisher of books about local history and interest a larger footprint in the Midwest. Belt founder Anne Trubek will continue to head the publisher.

Wonderwell Closes Publishing Operations, Partners with Greenleaf on New Imprint

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Hybrid publisher Wonderwell has shut down its publishing operations, and on February 1 will launch a new imprint, Wonderwell Press, as part of the Greenleaf Book Group.

RBmedia Acquires Berrett-Koehler's Audiobook Publishing Business

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Audiobook publisher RBmedia has acquired Berrett-Koehler’s audiobook publishing business, including its backlist, and will publish audiobook editions of new Berrett-Koehler titles under its business audiobook brand, Ascent Audio, beginning this year.

Elton John Says ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ on the Page

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Elton John will publish ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour,’ with Disney Publishing Worldwide imprint Hyperion Avenue, on September 24.

The Ekus Group Joins Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency has acquired cookbook-focused literary agency the Ekus Group, which will operate as a boutique culinary division. Owner Sally Ekus will head up representation of cookbook and lifestyle titles as senior literary agent.

AdventureKEEN Acquires Shelter Publications

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The 50-year-old publisher of books on DIY homebuilding and personal fitness will become AdventureKEEN's seventh imprint, and founding publisher Lloyd Kahn will continue to oversee the list.

Skyhorse Buys Regnery Publishing

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

After a deal to sell Regnery Publishing appeared to be dead in November, Salem Media Group completed the sale of the conservative publisher to Skyhorse Publishing.

Lerner Acquires Gecko Press

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Lerner Publishing Group has acquired Wellington, New Zealand–based children’s book publisher Gecko Press. The acquisition involves approximately 200 titles, including 18 to 20 new titles planned for 2024.

China Literature Buys Tencent Animation and Comics

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Pursuing its strategy of seeking to further leverage IP, China Literature, China's dominant online publishing and e-book company, has bought Tencent Animation and Comics for 600 million yuan (US$83.6 million).

Penguin Random House Acquires Hay House

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Penguin Random House has acquired the self-help and health and wellness publisher, which puts out roughly 100 books a year and boasts a 1,500-title backlist. CEO Reid Tracy will continue to lead the house. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Taunton Press Sold to Active Interest Media

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The Taunton Press, publisher of magazines, books, and a range of digital products in the woodworking, home building and renovation, building science, gardening, and sewing categories, has been acquired by enthusiast media company Active Interest Media.

Marcus Leaver Returns to Publishing with Gemini Books Group

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The former Sterling Publishing, Quarto Publishing, and Welbeck Publishing Group head has formed Gemini Books Group, which will focus on publishing nonfiction gift books and children’s books in both the U.K. and U.S. markets.

Red Wheel/Weiser Agrees to Acquire Quest Books

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Red Wheel/Weiser has agreed to acquire Quest Books, an imprint of the Theosophical Publishing House, the publishing arm of the Theosophical Society in America.

KKR Completes Purchase of Simon & Schuster

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The private equity firm, whose other holdings include OverDrive, has finalized its $1.62 billion purchase of S&S, the country's third largest trade book publisher.

Norton Signs Distribution Deals with Harvard, Yale

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

W. W. Norton will take over distribution for both Yale University Press and Harvard University Press next fall, when it will begin selling titles set to be released in January 2025.

Capen Publishing Buys Six Imprints from Southwestern Family of Companies

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Capen Publishing Company has acquired the Favorite Recipes Press, Quail Ridge Press, Beckon Books, Blue Sneaker Press, Greenwich Publishing, and Historic Hospitality Books imprints from Southwestern Family of Companies.

Hardie Grant Sells U.K. Division to PRH UK

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Penguin Random House UK has acquired Australia-based publisher Hardie Grant Publishing’s U.K. publishing business, which is comprised of Hardie Grant UK and Quadrille. The sale will have no direct impact on Hardie Grant North America's business.

Abrams, RBmedia Ink Audio Deal

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Abrams has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with RBmedia, giving the independent audio publisher rights to hundreds of Abrams' fiction and nonfiction titles. The first audiobooks under the deal will be published in spring 2024.

With a Twist, Sale of RBmedia Completed

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The private equity firm KKR has completed its sale of audiobook publisher RBmedia to investment firm H.I.G. Capital and private equity firm Francisco Partners.

CJK Group Adds Worzalla to Its Printer Portfolio

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Worzalla, one of a shrinking number of independent printers in the U.S., has been acquired by CJK Group. The purchase marks CJK's third acquisition of a printer this year.

‘Frozen’ Podcast Marks Disney’s Foray into Audio-First Storytelling

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The 12-episode first season of the podcast 'Disney "Frozen" Podcast: Forces of Nature' drops in October, and will feature four new characters. A book based on the podcast is planned for fall.

S&S Posts Solid Second Quarter

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Led by another good performance by its audiobooks division and what CEO Jon Karp called "fantastic" results in the U.K., operating income rose 14% at Simon & Schuster in the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 over the comparable period last year.

KKR Wins S&S for $1.62 Billion

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The private investment firm KKR has agreed to buy Simon & Schuster for $1.62 billion. When the purchase closes, S&S will operate under current leaders Jonathan Karp and Dennis Eulau, and KKR promised to "support new growth initiatives" for the country's third largest trade publisher.

Deal for Simon & Schuster Said to Be Near

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The private investment firm KKR, HarperCollins, and Richard Hurowitz of the investment firm Octavian & Company are all said to still be in contention to acquire the country's third largest trade publisher.

Equity Firm Eyeing Simon & Schuster to Sell RBmedia for $1 Billion

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In what is likely a record price for an audiobook publisher, KKR, the private equity firm that owns RBmedia—and a rumored contender to buy S&S—is selling the company for an alleged $1 billion.

Turner Publishing Buys Three Imprints from Mango Publishing

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In a deal completed on June 30, Turner acquired the Conari Press, Bonhomie Press, and Woo! Jr. imprints—and with them a total of 589 titles—from Mango.

World Editions Gets a New Owner: Its Former U.S. Director

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Christine Swedowsky has acquired the publisher from Libella Publishing Group in a management buyout. The World Editions offices in Amsterdam and London will close, and the publisher will be based solely in New York.

Black Lawrence Press Acquires Nomadic Press Adult Titles

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The upstate New York literary press has taken over publication of more than 100 Nomadic books in a deal that closed earlier this month.

HarperCollins, KKR Said to Be Eyeing Simon & Schuster

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In a bit of déjà vu, HarperCollins and the private equity firm KKR, which both lost out to Penguin Random House when Simon & Schuster was initially put up for sale, are reported among the leading contenders to buy the publisher this time around.

Vivendi’s Purchase of Lagardère Heads to Completion

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The French media company has received approval to acquire Lagardère following Vivendi's agreement to sell its existing book publisher, Editis. Lagardère is the parent company of Hachette Livre, whose subsidiaries include Hachette Book Group.

Authors Guild Issues Contract Clause Changes to Account for AI

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

As part of its campaign to protect its members from the rise of large language models and other artificial intelligence tools, the Authors Guild has released four new model contract clauses concerning the technology. Earlier, the Guild released a survey of members that found that 69% of those that responded think their careers are threatened by AI.

WME Acquires Ross Yoon Agency

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

By acquiring the Washington, D.C.–based literary agency, WME signals a deepening focus on literary talent and specifically nonfiction, as well as a physical expansion into the D.C. area.

New Leaf Literary & Media Faces Backlash After Dropping Authors

Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

After New Leaf "amicably" parting ways with literary agent Jordan Hamessley on May 12, authors affected by the agent's departure took to Twitter to express concern over how the transition was handled as the agency defends their actions.

Barnes & Noble Revamps Loyalty Program with Premium Membership

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The bookseller announced new benefits and discount perks in an effort to "revitalize" its membership ranks and unveiled an alternative free B&N Rewards loyalty program.

Ulysses Press Buys VeloPress

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Ulysses Press has acquired VeloPress in a deal that will bring about 80 books in the health and fitness category to the indie press. Ulysses plans to continue to add books under the Velo imprint with a goal of 12 titles for 2024.

Author Chuck Forester Donates $250K to Lambda Literary

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Lambda executive director Samiya Bashir called Forester's gift "transformational," which will allow Lambda Literary to usher in a new phase of expansion.

SPD Looks to Overhaul Operating Model via GoFundMe

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Small Press Distribution executive director Kent Watson said that crowdfunding an overhaul of the nonprofit literary distributor's operating model is the best way to improve services for the roughly 400 presses it represents.