TODAY'S NEWS

Lisa Holton Announces New Venture, Teams with HarperCollins
By Lynn Andriani
When Lisa Holton left her post as president of Scholastic Trade Publishing and Book Fairs in early fall 2007, she had the unprecedented experience of having managed the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows under her belt. She had solid know-how about launching major children’s series, having originated and overseen development of The 39 Clues, Scholastic’s much buzzed-about book and Web-based venture, which launches this September. She also had a specific plan of what she wanted to do next in her career, and this week, she announced what that plan was: Fourth Story Media, a “studio” that integrates books and the Internet to develop children’s properties. Holton’s first book publishing partner will be one of her former employers: HarperCollins. Read on »

More Questions Than Answers at BookExpo Canada
By Josh Kerbel
It seemed like the story this year at BookExpo Canada, was BookExpo Canada. Rather than gossiping about which publisher had up-sized or downsized its booths or which authors were signing books, the topic crossing most insiders' lips was the proposal from Reed Exhibitions to dramatically alter BookExpo Canada for 2009.

“We have been aware for some time that BEC has needed to increase its value across the board to all constituents. This is certainly a major part of the reason that we explored some extended programming last year in conjunction with Harbourfront,” said Reed Exhibitions' Scott Temple, BookExpo Canada’s managing director. "So, in this sense, our effort to seek new ground for BEC is not new. We have gotten lots of feedback and two major suggestions that we've heard would involve moving the show to the Fall and opening a portion of our activity to the public. Bottom line, we have heard that whatever changes we make, they must be fairly significant since the current formula is not working.” Read on »

Macomber Signs with Howard for Nonfiction
By Matthew Thornton
Romance writer Debbie Macomber, who has over 100 million copies of her novels in print, has just inked a deal with Touchstone Fireside's Howard Books for two nonfiction inspirational titles. Howard senior editor Cindy Lambert won world rights in an auction conducted by Wendy Lawton at Books & Such. The first of the two, Fishes and Loaves: Living in a Spirit of Generosity, will expound on Macomber's belief that a willingness to live in a spirit of giving will yield unforeseen miracles; in the book, she'll share stories from her own life and from others who commit intentional acts of generosity.

Macomber, who celebrated a career milestone last fall when 74 Seaside Avenue reached #1 on The New York Times, USA Today and PW bestseller lists, will stay with publisher Mira for her fiction; her current Blossom Street bestseller is Twenty Wishes. Howard, the Christian publishing arm of S&S, plans a fall 2009 publication for Fishes and Loaves.

Amazon Coop to Stay Open
By Claire Kirch
Amazon Bookstore Coop in Minneapolis, the one of the oldest feminist bookstore in the country, which was scheduled to close June 29 after 38 years, has received an 11th-hour reprieve. Store patrons received a short e-mail early Wednesday evening from Amazon's general manager, Barb Weiser, and the rest of the nine-member bookstore collective, announcing that editorial consultant Ruta Skujins, "with the help of her partner" Joann Bell, will assume ownership of the 2, 800-square-foot store, effective "by the end of June." The store is being restocked and special orders are being taken.

Harmony to Publish LuPone Memoir
By Rachel Deahl
Just-crowned Tony winner and veteran actress Patti LuPone has signed with Random House's Harmony Books to do a memoir. LuPone, who won her second Tony for Gypsy on Sunday (after nabbing the top honor in 1980 for Evita), will cover her introduction to the theater as a girl growing up in Northport, Long Island, through her time at Juilliard, where she studied at the school's then newly-formed drama division under John Houseman. The book will also delve into LuPone's up-and-down career, spiked by high-highs and low-lows, swinging from the Tony wins to a stretch where she had to work the Catskills resort circuit to pay the bills.

Shaye Areheart, v-p and publisher of Harmony, won the book, which is slated for release in 2010, at auction from Amy Rennert of the Amy Rennert Agency. Arehart acquired world, first serial and audio rights. Emmy winner Jeffrey Richman will be writing the book with LuPone.

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AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Willie Nelson, Unwrapped; Tim Green’s Football Genius; Nam Lee’s Debut
Today on The Bob Edwards Show, Joe Nick Patoski discussed Willie Nelson: An Epic Life (Little, Brown, $27.99). PW gave it a starred review: “This impressive, entertaining chronicle of Willie Nelson's life ...looks beyond country music trappings to find the funny, talented, determined man who became an unlikely icon. ...a fine, fluid piece of storytelling that any Nelson fan will appreciate.” Read on »

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Sedaris Brings the Crowds in Kansas
David Sedaris brought a crowd of over 500 people to Rainy Day Books this week, setting a new record at the Kansas store for staying power—Sedaris, after reading to fans, stayed and signed books for nine and a half hours. Sedaris is pictured here John Hancocking copies his new essay collection, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, for the fans. Submit your pictures here »

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