TODAY'S NEWS

Bookstore Sales Post Another Increase in March
Bookstore sales rose 1.3% in March, to $1.03 billion, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Sales have increased every month so far in 2008 and finished the first quarter up 5.1%, to $4.46 billion. The 1.3% March increase was the smallest gain in 2008. The sales increase in the bookstore segment was higher than for the entire retail segment, which rose 3.9% in the quarter. March retail sales inched up 0.5%, to $379 billion.

HarperCollins to Launch Online Sales Catalog
By Lynn Andriani
HarperCollins is developing an interactive, electronic sales catalog. The catalog will offer booksellers an online tool to order books and reduce Harper’s paper output. Harper will preview the catalog at BEA later this month and will launch a beta version in six to 12 months. Harper spokesperson Erin Crum said the catalog will start with the summer 2009 list. The house will distribute a limited number of print copies as well.

The catalog will feature book covers, prices, on-sale dates, reviews and quotes, and media alerts will be updated in real time. The pages will also include links to author interviews, promotional videos and audio samples for some titles. Booksellers will be able to create lists and place orders online. Authors’ backlists will also be available.

Jane Friedman, Harper president and CEO, said, “It has been clear to me for some time that catalogs are out of date as soon as they are printed. So much of what we do today is in real time. Why not our catalogs? In addition, an electronic version reduces a tremendous amount of waste in all areas, paper, production and shipping. ”

Lots of African American Events at BEA, Though Attendance May Slip
by Calvin Reid
Although holding this year’s BookExpo in Los Angeles is having a negative impact on attendance at both the African American Book Industry Professionals conference and the African American Pavillion held each year at BEA, the two separately organized events nevertheless boast a slate of high profile authors and events.

Originally launched 11 years ago by former bookseller Clara Villarosa as the African American Booksellers Conference, the event is now called African American Book Industry Professionals Conference. It will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 29 and caters to the interests of a wide variety of black book professionals from booksellers and authors to editors and publishing executives. Read on »

LifeTime Media to Start Publishing with King Title
Book packager LifeTime Media is starting its own publishing program and will release its first book, Pressure Is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes, by tennis great Billie Jean King in August. LifeTime founder Jacqueline Grace said that after being in the packaging business since 1994, the move to become a publisher "is a natural progression. I want to be in a position to be more in control of our products." Read on »

Scribner Signs Internet Celeb Tila Tequila
By Lynn Andriani
Rapper/singer/model/blogger/actress/MySpace celebrity/MTV sensation Tila Tequila has signed a book deal with Scribner. The house has acquired world rights to publish Tequila’s (real name: Tila Nguyen) first book, Hooking Up with Tila Tequila,and plans a December 2008 release. “The world cannot get enough of Tila Tequila,” said Susan Moldow, Scribner executive v-p and president.

A release from Scribner says “Hooking Up with Tila Tequila is the book her fans have been waiting for” and that the tome will offer “Tila’s no-holds-barred thoughts on love, fame, happiness, and success and the remarkable story of how the child of Vietnamese immigrants singlehandedly harnessed the web to become the 21st century’s hottest sex symbol.” Unsurprisingly, the book will include color photographs.

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Job Moves
Kristin Kiser has been named v-p and associate publisher at Hyperion. Kiser, who will start at Hyperion on May 27 and report directly to Hyperion president and publisher Ellen Archer, is currently editorial director of Crown. Kiser has been at Crown since 1997 and was named editorial director there in 2002; she's overseen such titles as The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, Basic Black by Cathie Black and The Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss.

At Barnes & Noble Jaime Carey has been promoted from v-p of the newsstand business to the newly created role of chief merchandising officer. In this new position Carey will oversee the merchandise buying of all departments, including book, music, DVD, magazine and gift. Carey joined B&N in 2003.

Beth Lamb has been promoted from marketing director to associate v-p, book marketing at Rodale. She will report to senior v-p, general manager and publishing director Karen Rinaldi.

On Sale Next Week: Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell breaks out of her usual rhythm with the May 20 publication of The Front, a followup to her 2006 standalone mystery, At Risk. But she'll be back in October, as usual, with the 16th Kay Scarpetta mystery. Read on »

The PW Morning Report
Rushdie Is Bookies' Favorite, Slain Officer's Novel Published, DC Madam Inspires Film and Book, NYT and LAT Disagree on Frey, Court Reinstates Prosecutor/Author Read on »

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Pubbing Today: Shatner, Frey, Nealon, More!
William Shatner, whose Up Till Now: The Autobiography (Thomas Dunne, $25.95; Macmillan Audio abridged CD, $29.95) comes out today, will appeared on Good Morning America and The View. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Burningham in the Soup
Last week Book Soup in L.A. hosted Sarah Burningham who was there discussing her new book, How to Raise Your Parents (Chronicle). The Book Soup stop was Burningham’s last on her 10-day, 7-city tour. Pictured (l. to r.) are: Kristy Silvernail, director of publicity for FX TV Network; Bridget Farmer, friend of the author; Burningham; Chrissy Festa, national account manager, Workman Publishing; Tyson Cornell, director of publicity, Book Soup. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

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