TODAY'S NEWS

HarperCollins and 'Wall Street Journal' Join Forces
By Lynn Andriani
In a move that had been expected since HarperCollins's parent company bought the Wall Street Journal's corporate parent Dow Jones, the two companies are entering into a three-year publishing partnership to develop books written by the WSJ’s editors and reporters. The program will be overseen by Steve Ross, group president of the Collins Group; and Alan Murray, deputy managing editor at the WSJ, in conjunction with the publishers and editorial teams from the Collins, Collins Business, Collins Living and Collins Design imprints. Read on »

The “Great Divorce” Makes for Unhappy Scholars’ Meeting
By Marcia Z. Nelson
“Slow” was putting it mildly, and “disastrous” and “dismal” were also adjectives of choice for religion publishers in describing sales to scholars of religion attending the annual conference Nov. 1-3 of the American Academy of Religion. For the first time since the decision was made in 2003, the AAR met in Chicago apart from the Society of Biblical Literature, which is scheduled to hold its annual meeting in Boston Nov. 21-25. The split has been dubbed “The Great Divorce” between the two major professional groups for the country’s religion specialists teaching in colleges, universities, divinity schools and seminaries. If AAR and SBL are sundered spouses, religion publishers are their unhappy relatives, forced to choose meetings or pay their way to travel to, staff and supply two conferences. “What a bad idea,” said Sheryl Fullerton, executive editor at Jossey-Bass, articulating what many publishers said about the split. “This is a big selling show for us and people are not coming through.” Read on »

Quebecor Stays On Schedule
Quebecor World reported revenue of just under $1 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, a decline of 15%, from the $1.2 billion recorded in last year’s comparable period. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) fell to $94.2 million from $123.5 million. The third quarter performance was in line with expectations and in keeping with projections made for receiving debtor-in -possession financing. Quebecor filed for Chapter 11 protection in January. The company attributed the decline in sales and EBITDA to lower demand and plant closures. For the nine month period, sales were down 12.8%, to $2.98 billion and adjusted EBITDA was $261.1 million, down from $341.6 million.

Green Press Initiative Looks for Support
The Green Press Initiative, founded in 2001 to help minimize the book industry’s impact on the environment, has started its first membership drive to move the organization forward. Founder Tyson Miller explained that GPI has been supported by various grants since its launch, but noted that the four-person nonprofit “can’t be entirely grant-funded forever.” Because of the grant money, GPI has conducted its programs without charge and Miller is hopeful that will continue to be the case if the membership drive is successful. Dues are on a sliding scale starting with $50 for individual membership. About 50 companies from all parts of the industry of joined so far. For more information on how to join go to www.greenpressinitiative.org/membership.htm.

The Monday Interview: Wally Lamb
by Kevin Howell
Tomorrow, the decade-long wait for Wally Lamb’s third novel is over with the release of his 739-page The Hour I First Believed (Harper, $29.95, 978-0-06-039349-6; unabridged HarperAudio, $75, 978-0-06-170303-4). Just before starting his 15 city tour, he spoke to PW about the new book, the Columbine shootings, Oprah Winfrey and more. Read on »

Blogs

MORE STORIES

Job Moves
Kim Hovey has been named associate publisher of Random House Trade Paperbacks, reporting to Jane von Mehren, while continuing to report to Libby McGuire as associate publisher of Ballantine Books. Sanyu Dillon, as director of marketing, will now oversee the marketing/advertising/promotion efforts and staff for the entire Random House Publishing Group, continuing to report to Tom Perry.

Web Exclusive Reviews
Some final thoughts from Studs Terkel, this history of sex in video games, Poland's most famous foreign correspondent, and a two-for-one plan for the ecology and the economy. Plus: Chagall, Nugent, New York's No. 1 escort, and Lincoln! Lincoln! Lincoln! Read on »

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Ted Turner; Frank Gifford; Paul Simon
Today, Good Morning America chatted with media mogul Ted Turner, whose memoir Call Me Ted (Grand Central Publishing, 978-0446581899, $30; Hachette Audio unabridged CD, $44.98, abridged, $34.98) pubs today. He returns to the program tomorrow. He was also profiled last night on 60 Minutes. After the jump: Jamie Oliver, Laura Berman, Vernon Jordan and more. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Collins Redux
November 5th, at The Modern, Steve Ross, group president of Collins, hosted a relaunch party for the imprint. A number of bold-face names came out for the event, including Sir Roger Moore (pictured, back row, third from right), author of My Word Is My Bond. Various attendees are pictured here. 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.