AP Drops Reviews

by Edward Nawotka, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 2/7/2007

The Associated Press has stopped offering book reviews as part of its syndication package. The company had typically made available about a dozen reviews per month through its syndicate. AP spokesperson Linda Wagner said AP remains committed to covering books through its Arts and Entertainment department, with reporter Hillel Italie covering the book industry and AP reporters offering spot news related to books.

A brief survey of book review editors by PW Daily found that few were even aware of the AP's review offerings. All said that when they found it necessary to run a review from a syndicate, they tended to favor reviews made available from the New York Times or the Washington Post.