Scarletta to Become Mighty Media Press
Minneapolis-based publisher Scarletta has announced that it will change its name to Mighty Media Press and publish children’s books exclusively. The company currently has 18 children’s titles in print, with three more titles to be released in spring 2015 and four more in the fall.
Scholastic Up In Q2
Led by a 14% increase in its children’s book publishing and distribution business, revenue at Scholastic rose 7% in the second quarter, which ended Nov. 30, 2014, compared to the same period last year. Sales hit $665.6 million, up from $623.2 million a year ago. Net income rose 17%, to $68.5 million.
Trinity University Press Buys Maverick Publishing
Trinity University Press has acquired the assets of Maverick Publishing, based in San Antonio, Tex. The purchase includes more than 40 titles, which will form the basis of a new Trinity imprint, Maverick Books. Lewis Fisher, Maverick’s founder, will serve as an advisor to Trinity and will assist with occasional acquisitions.
Humble Bundle E-books Raise $4.75M
In its first year offering e-books and digital comics, Humble Bundle, the promotional site that lets readers pay what they wish for bundles of DRM-free content, released 18 e-book bundles that generated $4.75 million in revenue. Of that revenue, $3 million was generated by comics alone.
Reich to Retire From PGW
Susan Reich has announced that she will retire as president of Publishers Group West, the distribution arm of Perseus Books Group. Reich will continue in her current role until Mar. 31, 2015. Mark Suchomel, president of client services, will head the effort to fill Reich’s position, which she has held for seven years.
Fable Kids’ Tablet to Launch In March
Isabella Products will introduce the Fable, a tablet aimed at ages three through 10, in March. Isabella has been tweaking the Fable through pilot programs, including one at the Keverian School in Everett, Mass., this summer. More pilots, which allow schools to test up to 15 Fables for up to two months, are planned for schools in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and the U.S.