Huffington Post congratulates the publishing industry on a big year, and can only see even more drama in the future. They list 9 things publishers will worry about in 2013, and several of them involve Amazon’s monopoly, self-publishing, and the future of ebooks.
Some other things to concern yourself with include library budget cuts, mergers, and termination rights. The world of books is constantly changing…
As much as the world scoffed at 50 Shades of Grey, no one is scoffing at the massive bonus Random House employees are receiving this holiday season!
At Random House, Employees Will Enjoy 5,000 Shades of Green — New York Times — Leslie Kaufman
This year, Random House had the good fortune to publish E. L. James’s “Fifty Shades of Grey,” about an inexperienced college student who falls in love with an older man with a taste for trying her up and whipping her, among other delights. The book has topped the New York Times paperback best-seller list for 37 weeks and counting. The sequels “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed” have been in the top five for a similar amount of time.
The e-books have been best sellers even longer.
Also, Random House has had other big best sellers including “Gone Girl,” a mystery by Gillian Flynn that has sold over one million copies; “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed; and John Grisham’s latest, “The Racketeer.”
They’ve been announced!!! Congratulations!!!
Best Fiction was JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy — no surprise there. Gillian Flynn’s best-seller Gone Girl won Best Mystery & Thriller. Of course, Fifty Shades Freed by EL James won for Romance, and Veronica Roth defended her title by winning both Goodreads Author and Best Young Adult Fantasy for Insurgent. The winners for Best Young Adult and Best Paranormal Fantasy makes my heart flutter: John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Deborah Harkness’s Shadow of Night!
I have a few predictions for next year! Is it too early? Regardless, I’m sending out my opinion.
Although not every author posts about a book they have due out in the following year, especially a first-time author, I do believe that Cassandra Clare and Lauren Oliver will have to fight for “Young Adult Fantasy” (since apparently dystopians are also called fantasy). Clare will publish her final in the Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Princess, and with the upcoming movie for her Mortal Instruments series there will be plenty of talk about her Shadowhunter world throughout 2013. Oliver is quite successful as well, and her final book in the Delirium trilogy, Requiem, is due out in March.
And I bet, in the Children’s category, some version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will appear. It just has to. That series is through the roof with children.
Lots of news surrounding HarperCollins lately…
New York Publishing Struggling to Get Back Online Post-Sandy — Publishers Weekly — Judith Rosen, Rachel Deahl
Although many on the east coast are powered up once again, thousands in NYC are still managing without power and reliable transportation. Of these include several of our favorite publishing houses. Click the link to see the status report of the Big Six and others in the metropolis, not only for the function of their online presence but the condition of their warehouses as well.
Random House, Penguin Agree to Merge — Publishers Weekly
In a deal that had been months in the making, Pearson and Bertelsmann announced Monday morning that they have signed an agreement to form a joint venture that will combine the businesses of Random House and Penguin. The deal, which is expected to close in the second half of 2013, will make Penguin Group chairman John Makinson chairman of the newly named Penguin Random House company, while Random House chairman and CEO Markus Dohle will be CEO.
The partnership will be nearly 50/50, and publishers are confident this merger will be for the good of all. They say Random House and Penguin had similar publications, and this can only enhance their costs and models and business. The two publishing houses, even after the merger, would still like to remain distinct as best as possible for the employees.
…Wow.
Random House, Penguin May Merge — Publishers Weekly BREAKING
Uh…WHAT?!
Responding to persistent media reports, mostly from European outlets, that Pearson and Bertelsmann are discussing a possible merger of Penguin and Random House, Pearson issued the following statement Thursday confirming talks. “Pearson confirms that it is discussing with Bertelsmann a possible combination of Penguin and Random House. The two companies have not reached agreement and there is no certainty that the discussions will lead to a transaction. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”
Two of the Big Six in the nation merging as one? I’m not sure how I feel about this! I hope it enhances these publishing houses, rather than hindering them.
‘Newsweek’ Kills Its Print Edition — NPR — Mark Memmott
That glossy I grew up reading with my family, admiring the photos and stories and formatting, is going to end their print editions December 31 and then becoming an online-only publication.
Personally, I think this is a terrible move. Many of Newsweek‘s readers are not technologically inclined, and many complaints will be sent to them because of this transition. Adults 50+ are already upset about thinner newspapers and fewer magazines – this just increases that frustration.
However, I can see why they made the change. More money can be made from ads rather than subscribers, they probably do have a wider readership digitally than in print, they’re changing with the times, etc. But I still think this is a poor move.
I’m sure once I enter the business world I may change my mind, but for now I’m sticking to my guns.
To prepare yourself for Rowling’s adult novel, out tomorrow, here are some excellent articles I’ve found about the work, her feelings toward the new book and genre, and how she and her publishers think it will be received.
I’ve got a reservation on the book. I’m looking forward to reading something new from her. She could write anything and I bet I’d be interested, simply because she’s a great storyteller.
As you may have noticed, it’s been a bit quiet on this blog. There are several reasons why, but it all boils down to graduate school.
Graduate School
I thoroughly enjoy all of my classes and love meeting new people. With a full-time position as a bookseller, 10 hours per week as a graduate assistant, and three classes, I’m barely making it out of each week in a calm and relaxed state. The time management and scheduling has been hectic. I’m in no way complaining — I like feeling busy — but it’s the only excuse I have for neglecting updating you on publishing news (if that’s what you’re even here for).
Future of This Blog
Now, to explain my earlier snarky comment “if that’s what you’re even here for”: With each passing hour in class, I’m realizing more and more how naïve I’ve been about the publishing industry and the news I’ve provided. This is great, though! I may have posted the wrong things, or paid attention to minor details, what have you — but this blog was intended as a learning experiment and it’s working! As such, I will be posting less and less on the publishing news until I’ve gotten the hang of the lingo and what is going on in the industry today. I feel that, as an inexperienced person, it’s best if I stand back a bit and observe more before I dive right in.
However, I still fully intend to write book reviews. You may notice a change in the writing style for that as well, depending on what I’m learning and what I’ve noticed other reviewers do. My reviews and Upcoming Books posts will remain constant. It’s the publishing content that will be on the back-burner until further notice.
Please bear with me as I immerse myself into this new experience! In the meantime, happy autumn! Enjoy a nice hot drink, snuggle under a blanket, and read to your heart’s content!
Scribbles & Wanderlust 