TODAY'S NEWS

ABA Preparing for Tipping Point
by Judith Rosen
In advance of the American Booksellers Association’s new initiative to be announced at the Celebration of Bookselling on Thursday night at BEA, the organization has been giving booksellers a sneak peek at the direction it will take at nine regional ABA Forums entitled “Bookselling at the Tipping Point.”

At the concluding forum, held last week in association with the New England Independent Booksellers Association in Portsmouth, N.H., ABA COO Oren Teicher stated, “We are convinced things really are at a tipping point.” And he cited a combination of factors from consumer interest in shopping green to corporate retailers being forced to close hundreds of stores to indicate that the time is right for locally-owned, independent bookstores to rebound. Read on »

HC Launches In-House Internet Video Studio
By Rachel Deahl
Showing its commitment to video as a promotional tool for books, HarperCollins has unveiled plans to launch its own in-house production arm. The studio, which will make internet video, will be, according to the house, "modeled on a newsroom environment." Lending to that newsy feel, HC has tapped former Wall Street Journal multimedia producer Marisa Benedetto to run the new division, which will fall under the auspices of HarperMedia. (Benedetto will report to HarperMedia v-p and publisher, Ana Maria Allessi.) Read on »

DC Comics, Stone Arch Plan Chapter Books
by Calvin Reid
DC Comics is teaming up with children's book and graphic novel publisher Stone Arch Books to produce a series of illustrated chapter books based on DC’s famous characters Batman and Superman. The new line of books, called DC Super Heroes, will launch later this spring with 12 titles and publish a total of 48 titles over the next four seasons. The following season the line will add chapter books based on DC’s Wonder Woman character. Read on »

City Lights to Publish Abu-Jamal
by Matthew Thornton
San Francisco-based publisher City Lights, known for its titles on social and political issues, has acquired world English rights to a new book by Mumia Abu-Jamal titled Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A. Editor Greg Ruggiero made the deal with Frances Goldin. In the book, the author, who has been on death row for 25 years for a murder he denies committing, will look at the struggles of men and women learning, teaching and practicing law from the inside of American prisons. Read on »

New Owner for Oasis
David Morris has bought out the stake in Domain Audio Services held by his partner Edward Elliott, making him the sole owner of the company, whose holdings include the spokenword audio publisher Oasis Audio. Also at Oasis, Dan Balow has been named publisher; he joined the company in September 2006 as associate publisher.

Blogs

MORE STORIES

Atria to Release Prince Concert Book
Atria has acquired world rights to a forthcoming multimedia book from Prince. 21 Nights, the first book from the multi-hyphenate icon, will be a "photographic essay collection" following the sold-out 21-night show Prince performed in London, at the O2 Arena, in 2007. The book, which was acquired from agent David Vigliano, will contain lyrics in addition to the back-stage/on-stage pictures, and be be released internationally in Fall 2008. Established Hollywood photographer Randee St. Nicholas, who was given rare backstage access to the star, will be providing the visuals. The book will also include a CD containing an exclusive live version of the song "3121."

CORRECTION
In last week's picture caption Sloane Crosley's book was incorrectly identified as I Thought There'd Be Cake. The correct title is I Was Told There'd Be Cake.

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Pat Tillman’s Mother; YOU, Updated and Expanded; Rev. Gene Robinson
Last night on 60 Minutes: Mary Tillman, mother of the late professional football player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman and author of Boots on the Ground by Dusk: My Tribute to Pat Tillman (Modern Times, $25.95; Tantor Media unabridged CD, $34.99). Tomorrow, she’ll be on both Today and Morning Edition. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Palahniuk Breaks Signing Record
Author Chuck Palahniuk made a little publishing history recently when he stopped by the Random House Westminster, Md., warehouse to sign copies for his upcoming tour for Snuff. Palahniuk pre-signed 6,000 copies of his new novel, out May 20, along with assorted backlist titles; the number marked a world record for an author signing at the warehouse. Pictured here (l. to r.) in the back row: telemarketing sales reps Lori Zook; Camille Marchi, Angelina Ballerina; Palahniuk; publicist Todd Doughty; Lauren Gromlowicz; and Sarah Wingfield. Front row: telemarketing sales reps Ginny Mortorff; Pam Kaufman; and Sherry Virtz. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

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