TODAY'S NEWS

Scholastic Results Off, Focus On Cost Cutting
By Jim Milliot
It's not easy competing with Harry Potter as Scholastic's results for the first quarter, ended August 31, show. Without the $240 million contribution from last July's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, revenue plunged 46%, to $285 million, and the company had a net loss from continuing operations of $44.7 million compared to earnings of $3.3 million in last quarter’s first quarter. Including the loss from discontinued operations, the company had a net loss of $49.1 million in the period. Chairman Dick Robinson said the company's focus continues to be on cutting costs, an initiative that includes a hiring freeze and a voluntary retirement program for employees over age 50. Read on »

Unlike Economy, NAIBA Upbeat
by Judith Rosen
Despite bleak newspaper headlines about the economy, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Fall Conference held Sept. 21-22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J., was markedly upbeat. In part, the buoyant spirit was due to the number of booksellers from new or about-to-open stores, including Trish Brown and Ellen Klein, co-owners of Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Vir., which opened this spring; Marietta Barral Zacker, who held the grand opening for SOMe Book Nook children's bookstore in South Orange, N.J., over the conference weekend; Jennifer Stockton Bagnulo, who is closing in on a space in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn; and Georgia Scott, who is planning a grand opening for Globe Trippin in New York City later this fall. Read on »

S&S Opens In-House Digital Production Studio
By Lynn Andriani
Simon & Schuster has announced its latest digital initiative: an in-house digital production studio that will serve as the company's primary source for original multimedia content about its authors and their books. The studio will produce high-definition video interviews and features, as well as audio and photos, for use on S&S’s Web site, for viral marketing purposes through blogs and social networks, and for the company's retail and external marketing partners. Read on »

Promotions and a New Hire at Dystel & Goderich
By Lynn Andriani
Dystel & Goderich Literary Management has made some personnel changes. It has promoted two agents, Michael Bourret and Lauren Abramo; Bourret is now vice president, and Abramo is now subsidiary rights director. Both Bourret and Abramo began their publishing careers at DGLM. Additionally, agent Jessica Papin will be rejoining the firm following a three-year stint in international rights sales for the American University in Cairo.

The agency's recent bestsellers include The Food You Crave by Food Network star Ellie Krieger and Joy Bauer's Food Cures by nutritionist Joy Bauer. It is also having success in the YA market: Story of a Girl by debut novelist Sara Zarr was a 2007 NBA finalist.

The PW Morning Report
By Dermot McEvoy
Threshold Editions Acquires Palin Biography; Susan Cheever—"Recovering Sex Addict"; Robert Wagner Tells All; Financial Disasters Are Good for Books; First Lady to Host National Book Festival; Patrick Ness Wins Guardian Children's Fiction Prize; and Del Toro to Write Vampire Trilogy Read on »

Blogs

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: The Source; The Anglo Files; The Big Switch
Today on Good Morning America, integrative medicine specialist Dr. Woodson Merrell revealed The Source: Unleash Your Natural Energy, Power Up Your Health, and Feel 10 Years Younger (Free Press, $26). After the jump: Dionne Warwick, Bob Schieffer, Marilynne Robinson. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Huffington Hits PAMA
Last Friday at the Fall Publisher's Advertising and Marketing Association (PAMA) Luncheon, Arianna Huffington headlined as the guest speaker. Pictured here, at the event, are: Melissa Lord, PAMA treasurer; Huffington; David Nudo, PAMA president; and Christine Duplessis, PAMA secretary.
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.