TODAY'S NEWS

Study Measures Publishing's Carbon Footprint at 12.4 Million Tons
The U.S. publishing industry emits over 12.4 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, or about 8.85 pounds per book, according to the findings in the just-released report, Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry. The study, coordinated by the Book Industry Study Group and the Green Press Initiative, looked to establish industry benchmarks related to publishing's impact on the environment. The cutting of trees for paper was found to have the most significant impact on the industry's carbon footprint, although the report says the use of recycled paper and fibers has increased over the last several years.

For full coverage of the report and what publishers, booksellers and manufacturers are doing to become more environmentally friendly, check out this week's print edition of PW. 

Shareholder Opposes Amazon’s Audible Bid
The Internet has been full of grumbling from small shareholders over the $11.50 per share price being paid by Amazon for Audible and last Friday Red Oak Partners, which has a 1.4% stake in Audible, released a letter it sent to both parties criticizing the price as being too low. Among the reasons Red Oak cited for believing that the bid undervalued Audible was Audible's strong fourth quarter, which was released after the bid was announced and which Red Oak said would likely have driven up the offer. Red Oak also criticized the methodology Audible's advisor, Allen & Co., used to value the company, and noted that it believes that as the major player in the spokenword digital download market, Audible has a bright future.

Red Oak said it will not tender its shares, although with most of the larger shareholders backing the acquisition the deal is expected to be approved.

Near-Time Updates Platform
Near-Time, a North Carolina technology developer offering a wiki-based software that lets publishers release content in multiple digital formats, has updated the platform’s functionality to include mobile devices and other Web applications like widgets. The updated software offers an e-mail digest of message board topics, widgets, podcasts and an enhanced advertising capability. Read on »

Three Answers: Scott Heim
By Dick Donahue
Three Answers today from Scott Heim, whose latest novel, We Disappear, was just published by Harper Perennial. Read on »

The PW Morning Report: A daily round-up of the latest publishing news
By Dermot McEvoy
Not Keeping the Feith; Smoke Looking for Fire; Senor to Twelve; Prose Remains PEN Prez; W.T. Tyler Dead; Seattle Brews Books; Literary Fakers; and British Government Tries to Stop Book Read on »

Blogs

MORE STORIES

This Week in Our Web Exclusive Reviews
Lying in the workplace, recovery for women, the failure of U.S. intelligence, the rise of rap, the decline of African American-owned media, and the latest in Queen Liz-lit. Plus: another Odyssey, a new idea of normal, and cooking school stories worth a listen. Read on »

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Debbie Ford; Steven Waldman; Alison Larkin
On Good Morning America, life coach and bestsellerDebbie Ford explained Why Good People Do Bad Things: How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy (Harper One, $24.95). She'll return tomorrow. The $15 trade paperback from Gotham will be released on April 17. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Literary Life in San Diego
At last month’s Southern California Writers’ Conference in San Diego some attendees got together for a quick bite away from the conference floor. Pictured here (l. to r.) are: Karen Syed, CEO and publisher of Echelon Press; Jeff Sherratt, author of Echelon's The Brimstone Murders; writing coach Mike Sirota; and Michele Scott, author of the Wine Lovers' and Horse Lovers' mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

PW VIRTUAL EDITION

To access the latest issue of Publishers Weekly no matter where you are, be sure to take a look at PW's Virtual Edition -- available online anytime. If you're not already a subscriber, take a look at a sample issue here.