'PW' Winners
Northshire Books in Manchester, Vt., owned by Ed and Barbara Morrow, has been named PW's Bookseller of the Year. The bookstore was nominated by Random House rep Rebecca Fitting, who noted that Northshire has "cultivated a lively events program and networks with their community in such a way that integrates them with their surroundings."
This year's Rep of the Year is Mark Gates of Holtzbrinck (Holt and FSG). Gates works out of Verona, Wis. Both winners will receive their awards at a ceremony during BEA.
New Holtzbrinck President
Brian Napack will join Holtzbrinck Publishers May 1 as president. Napack, most recently with the consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting, will share general management responsibilities with Holtzbrinck CEO John Sargent over all of Holtzbrinck's divisions.
Sargent said that in order to meet the company's goal to "grow substantially over the next few years organically and through niche acquisitions," he needed to add someone to the executive team. Among Napack's duties will be overseeing acquisitions, strategic planning and business development.
Ed. Up, Trade Down at HM
Total sales at Houghton Mifflin rose 5.2% in 2005, to $1.28 billion, and operating income jumped to $59.3 million from $21.9 million. An increase in interest expense, however, resulted in a net loss for the year of $62.0 million, down from the loss of $70.4 million in 2004. Sales in HM's trade and reference group fell 13.4%, to $128.3 million, with sales in the fourth quarter particularly weak, plunging 31.2%. In 2004, the trade group benefited from the release of The Polar Express movie plus Oprah's selection of The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
In education, sales in the elhi group rose 8.9% last year, to $925.5 million, while sales in the college division increased 3.3%, to $228.3 million.
Weak Bookstore Start
Bookstore sales slipped 0.2%, to $1.96 billion, in January, a decline of $5 million compared to 2005, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Sales for the entire retail segment rose 9.3% in January.
Osteen to Free Press
Simon & Schuster's Free Press has lured bestselling author Joel Osteen away from Warner Faith. Osteen's next book, as yet untitled, will be published in fall 2007. S&S denied reports Osteen received a $13 million advance, reporting only that the house and the author have agreed to a co-publishing arrangement.
Playboy, Steerforth Unite
Playboy Enterprises has teamed up with Steerforth Press to launch Playboy Press. Under the agreement, Playboy will be responsible for editorial content and art, while Steerforth will handle marketing as well as sales and distribution in conjunction with Random House, Steerforth's distributor. Playboy Press represents a revival, on a smaller scale, of the magazine's book publishing program begun in 1954 and sold in 1982.
New Integrity Imprint
Integrity Publishers has appointed Mark Gilroy publisher of a new imprint, Integrity House. Among the first books to appear under the imprint will be a new work from Newt Gingrich, Creator's Gifts. Integrity House will publish 16 titles this year.
Quint to Leave CBC
Current president and executive director of the Children's Book Council, Paula Quint, is stepping down. Quint, who has headed up the organization since 1992, will be vacating the position later this spring. Quint has been involved with the CBC since 1966.
Mosure Up at Disney
Jeanne Mosure has climbed the ladder at Disney. Mosure's new title at Disney Publishing Worldwide is senior v-p and publisher of Global Children's Books, up from v-p, global publisher and general manager. After eight years with the company, Mosure will now oversee the direct sales and direct mail businesses as well as head up the children's unit.
Rotella Back, Andriani Up at PW
Former PW reviews editor Mark Rotella has returned to the magazine as a senior editor in the reviews section, responsible for a range of nonfiction categories. Review editor Lynn Andriani has been promoted to senior editor and will be responsible for the Soapbox column and will also contribute features and news stories.
Correction/Clarification
In last week's "Debunking the Debut," the publisher of Speak of the Devil was misidentified. Random House published the book. In addition, a Doubleday spokesperson explained that, although that imprint mistakenly submitted Darkly Dreaming Dexter to the Mystery Writers of America as a debut effort, the book was never presented to the public (or press) as a first-time work.
