Nelson to Buy Integrity
Thomas Nelson has signed an agreement to acquire Integrity Publishers, the Christian publishing house formed in 2001 by former Nelson/Word president Byron Williamson. Integrity Publishers, currently a division of Integrity Media, had estimated sales of $16 million and a backlist of 200 titles. In the near term, Integrity will continue to publish its own authors under the Integrity imprint.
Soft Start for Scholastic
Total revenue at Scholastic fell to $334.9 million from $498.4 million in the first quarter ended August 31, and the net loss increased to $46.9 million from $21.2 million. The revenue decline was attributed mainly to the $185 million in sales generated by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in last year's first period, and company executives said Scholastic is on track to meet its full-year financial targets.
Without Potter, revenue in the children's book publishing and distribution group fell 59%, to $112.6 million, as trade sales tumbled 79%. School book club sales were also off, falling 19%, although book fair sales increased 8% and sales from continuities rose 18%. Sales in the educational segment dipped 1%, and revenue in the media, licensing and advertising division declined 13%. International sales rose 3%.
Kintz to Head Concordia
Concordia Publishing House, the St. Louis—based publishing arm of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, has named Bruce Kintz its president. Kintz, who's been with Concordia for more than seven years, is being promoted from v-p and COO. Also moving up to the role of v-p and corporate counsel is Jonathan D. Schultz, who's been Concordia's in-house counsel for the last eight years.
Wright to Writers House
Ken Wright has gone from the publishing side of the business to the agenting one, decamping from Scholastic for Writers House. Wright, who was v-p, associate publisher and editorial director for nonfiction and reference at Scholastic, will work with children's and adult writers, with a focus on nonfiction.
Perseus, PowerHouse In Deal
PowerHouse Books has signed on with Perseus Book Group and CDS for warehousing and fulfillment, effective January 2007. In addition, powerHouse and Perseus have entered into a partnership to develop future trade book projects that go beyond powerHouse's specialty in the illustrated book market.
Rich to Receive NBF Honor
Poet Adrienne Rich will receive the medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters at this year's National Book Awards dinner set for Nov. 15. Also at the dinner, New York Review of Books cofounders Robert Silvers and, posthumously, Barbara Epstein, will receive the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.
