Mergers & Acquisitions

In another move to broaden its reach in the worldwide children’s book publishing market, Trustbridge has acquired Walker Books, the U.K.-based children’s publisher and owner of Candlewick Press.

Arcadia Publishing, which specializes in books on local history, has acquired River Road Press, a publisher of books on New Orleans and the surrounding areas. River Road founder Scott Campbell will join Arcadia to head its Pelican Publishing imprint.

The inability to reach an agreement with the government about which divestitures the publishers needed to make to allow the merger to move forward led to the deal being canceled, the companies said.

David Vigliano has bought back the assets of his eponymous literary agency from Y Entertainment Group.

Under an agreement set to close April 30, HarperCollins will buy Egmont Books UK, Egmont’s book business in Poland, and the German unit Schneiderbuch. All three focus on the children's market.

Using some or all of the clauses in the model contract, the Authors Guild said, will help ensure that writers receive the rights granted them under current U.S. copyright and contract law.

GraphicAudio produces dramatized audio content, and its purchase marks RB’s entry into the audio dramatizations market.

Yesterday, the remaining board members of the Romance Writers of America resigned and announced a special election to fill the board seats for the remainder of their terms.

The Hachette Book Group has acquired more than 1,000 titles published by Disney Book Group; the deal involves bestselling authors, award-winning as well as backlist and recently published books, plus a number of unpublished titles.

Miami indie press Mango Publishing has acquired Yellow Pear Press, which specializes in lifestyle and regional titles, as well as its Bonhomie Press imprint.