Wolff Hired by HMH
Rick Wolff, who was laid off by Hachette in June when the publisher downsized, has been hired by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to start a new line of business books. Wolff, who founded Hachette’s Business Plus imprint (which was shuttered during the downsizing), will join HMH as senior executive editor and will aim to publish 10-15 titles annually.
Vook Acquires Byliner
Vook, the digital publishing services vendor, has acquired Byliner, a publisher of digital fiction and long-form nonfiction. The deal included 60-70 of the publisher’s digital titles, and Byliner will become Vook’s first in-house imprint.
Richter Joins Lit Agency
Rick Richter, a longtime children’s publishing executive and digital entrepreneur, has joined the staff of Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary and Entertainment Agency as a literary agent based in the firm’s Boston offices.
Sales Up, Earnings Down At Wiley
As John Wiley continues to rework its business portfolio, the company reported revenue of $437.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, which ended July 31, 2014, up 6.6% over the same quarter last year, while net income fell to $33.6 million, down from $35.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
‘New York Times’ Revamps Bestsellers Lists
The New York Times Book Review announced a redesign of its bestsellers lists that will see the introduction of 12 new monthly charts. The new lists include Travel, Humor, Family, Relationships, and Animals. The Book Review will also publish in print several lists that were previously online only: Politics, Manga, Graphic Novels, Food, and Fitness.
HarperCollins Inks Partnership with Chinese E-tailer
HarperCollins has reached an agreement to sell its English-language e-books in China through JD.com, a local online retailer, and China National Publications Import. This is the first time the publisher has sold through a local Chinese retailer.
