Penguin Group (USA)

The Big Merge
January 1, 2013

Until the transaction is closed (likely late 2013 pending regulatory approval), official news about the Random House Penguin venture is expected to be scarce. And yet questions abound. Why did two of the biggest players in book publishing throw in their lot together? Will further contraction occur in its wake? Will this give the new entity more leverage in its negotiations with mighty Amazon? And if so, will it be enough to matter? We rang up four industry experts and asked them what—if anything—it all means for publishers and publishing.

Macmillan Says Renegotiated E-Book Deals Allows Some Discounting
December 19, 2012

Macmillan, the last of the major publishers still fighting the U.S. Justice Department over antitrust charges, says it has renegotiated its e-book deals with retailers to allow some discounting.

In an open letter posted on his book-publishing company's website Wednesday afternoon, MacmillanChief Executive John Sargent said the firm is still committed to fighting the antitrust case brought by the Justice Department involving allegations that Macmillan and four other publishers plus Apple Inc. (AAPL) conspired to raise e-book prices.

Translating the Old Into the New
September 21, 2012

Marian Lizzi “grew up at St. Martin’s,” as she puts it, spending fourteen years at the company, beginning as an editorial assistant and working up to building her own list. In 2004 she moved to Penguin’s Perigee Books division, where she is now Editor-in-Chief.


Judge Approves E-Book Pricing Settlement
September 7, 2012

Updated In a decision that could start an e-book price war in the publishing industry, a federal judge on Thursday approved a settlement between the Justice Department and three major publishers in a civil antitrust case that accused the companies of collusion in the pricing of digital books.

The long-expected approval soundly rejected criticisms of the deal that had accumulated throughout the summer from hundreds of parties, including Barnes & Noble, the Authors Guild and the American Booksellers Association.


Simon & Schuster Reaches Out to Teen Readers Through Texting
July 16, 2012

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has teamed up with Mobile Commons to launch a new texting program for YA readers.

 

Fans of Scott Westerfeld‘s Leviathan trilogy can text “SCOTT” to a special shortcode to try to win a coffee date with him, talk about his books and learn more about future contests. 

CafePress Teams Up With Penguin Books to Feature Storybook Favorites on Children's Gear
July 12, 2012

CafePress Inc. (PRSS), The World's Customization Engine, has partnered with publisher Penguin Group (USA) to launch a new online store featuring a curated selection of products showcasing more than 80 years of stories that have sparked young readers' imaginations. Whether it's Corduroy's unplanned adventures, Froggy's continual mishaps or Ladybug Girl's endless imagination, children love todevour anything and everything about their favorite fictional characters.

In E-Book War, the Independent Publishers Strike Back
July 5, 2012

Nine of the country's leading independent publishers have taken a bold step, and deserve public recognition for their action. On June 25, they submitted a cogent, twenty-page comment to the court objecting to the Department of Justice's settlement with the three publishers on the grounds that it would "adversely impact competition -- harming independent publishers, authors, booksellers and consumers -- and should be rejected." The case itself would still go forward, unless it is dismissed by the judge or is settled in some way that remains to be devised.

What Publishers are Launching in the Mobile Space
July 1, 2012

Based on the series “The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod” by New York Times best-selling YA author Heather Brewer, High School Bites allows users to enter into the blood-sucking world of Vladimir Tod, Brewer’s hero whose human mother and vampire father perished in a fire. Special features of High School Bites include two different ways to play—either swiping the screen or tilting the device—and three different levels of difficulty, which users can increase as they progress.


Karl Weber And Raquel Avila Join Lid Publishing
May 11, 2012

LID Publishing, Inc. announced as part of their growth plans in the US, Karl Weber has taken on the position as Editorial Board Chairperson.  In his new role, he will oversee the quality and content of the company¹s publications. Mr. Weber will advise on titles for LID¹s publication plans, help with the strategy and development of the company in the US, and work with other board members to achieve the successful progress of the company within the business sector.