News Briefs: Amazon to Buy AbeBooks

Amazon, already the country's leading seller of used books, has agreed to acquire AbeBooks, one of the largest online book marketplaces, with over 110 million titles available for sale through its seller network. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, at which time Abe will continue to operate as a standalone division under the direction of current CEO Hannes Blum.

Colin Dickerman and Pam Krauss have been appointed v-p, publishing directors of Rodale Books by Karen Rinaldi, senior v-p, publishing director of the book group. Dickerman, who had worked with Rinaldi at Bloomsbury, will oversee the company's narrative nonfiction list, while Krauss, who has spent 20 years at Clarkson Potter, will oversee the illustrated line. In addition, Andrea Au Levitt has been named projects director, Prevention Books; Courtney Conroy has rejoined Rodale as editor to develop branded books in the areas of health, fitness, nutrition, lifestyle and wellness; and Julie Will has been promoted to senior editor.

Total revenue at Indigo Books & Music rose 3.1%, to C$191 million ($186 million), in the first quarter ended June 28, and the net loss was cut to C$1.3 million from C$2.8 million during the same quarter last year. The strongest growth was in the online channel, which grew 7.7%, to C$21 million. Year-over-year growth of bricks-and-mortar sales channels was a little lower, with superstores posting 3.3% growth and Coles small-format stores up 5.4%.

New HarperCollins chief Brian Murray has promoted Larry Nevins to executive v-p, operations. Since 2005, Nevins has overseen HC's creative operations departments and established a digital publishing services group. He will now take on IT and operations. Chief information officer Rick Schwartz and senior v-p of distribution operations Joe Franceschelli will now report to Nevins. Glenn D'Agnes, COO of HC for the last 10 years, is leaving the publisher after a brief transition and will not be directly replaced.

Publishers Weekly will hold a one-day seminar September 22 at New York University that will explain the publishing business to would-be authors. “Book Publishing 101” will begin with a keynote by bestselling author Wally Lamb, followed by a series of panels that will examine all aspects of publishing and how authors get published. Sessions will feature authors, agents and publishers, as well as PW editors. The daylong seminar, which is being sponsored by NYU and the NYU Center for Publishing, will cost $345. For more information on the conference or to register, go to publishersweekly.com/ pub101.