TODAY'S NEWS

Penguin Press Nabs Coveted Debut Novel
by Matthew Thornton
After a heated—and swift—auction, Penguin Press publisher Ann Godoff won U.S. rights to a widely sought debut novel by Reif Larsen called The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet; Denise Shannon made the sale, and Godoff will edit. The story of a 12-year-old genius mapmaker from Montana is, said Godoff, “completely unique from page one” and “so good it resists publishing hyperbole.” Read on »

IDW Kids' Line Lures Screen Writers
By Laura Hudson
Worthwhile Books, the children’s book imprint of comics publisher IDW that launched earlier this year, has announced its upcoming slate of books for fall and spring, including a number of children’s books by Emmy and Peabody award-winning Hollywood screenwriters. Worthwhile has already adapted several titles for the U.S. market through a first-look licensing deal with U.K. publisher Meadowside Books, including Michael Recycle, a story about a young environmental superhero, that had combined pre-orders of 125,000 copies for hardcover and paperback. A sequel, Litterbug Doug, is on the way for spring 2009. Read on »

No Sale for All for Kids Books & Music
by Judith Rosen
After Chauni Haslet’s surprise announcement in March that she would retire at the end of June and close All for Kids Books & Music in Seattle, Wash., which she founded 25 years ago, several potential buyers stepped forward. Unfortunately, she was unable to reach a deal to sell the store.

“Don’t make it sound sad,” Haslet told PW with a lilt in her voice that’s been there since she reached her decision. She’s looking forward to her retirement on June 30, as planned, and hoping to avoid liquidating inventory. She’s been able to fill orders despite letting the stock dwindle.

Although Haslet will be gone, several college students who want to have a party to celebrate the August 2 release of Stephenie Meyer's fourth book in the Twilight Saga will remain with the store, which will be open through the first week of August to sell Breaking Dawn.

S&S Picks LibreDigital
Simon & Schuster has become the latest publisher to sign on with LibreDigital to provide digital distribution for its electronic content. The company announced this morning that LibreDigital will support its digital warehouse, which in turn will serve as the central source for all book content, supporting all aspects of S&S’s e-commerce, including the distribution of e-books and downloadable audio, book search programs for both SimonSays.com and external search partners, and digital marketing initiatives.

“Our new digital warehouse will afford us the flexibility to syndicate our content to meet the needs of a wide variety of partners, from social networks to portals to retail sites,” said Ellie Hirschhorn, executive v-p and chief digital officer of S&S. Other LibreDigital clients include Harlequin, Bloomsbury, HarperCollins and Hachette USA.

On Sale Next Week: Clique Summer Collection
Charlotte Abbott
This week, Lisi Harrison delivers Kristin, the fourth title in the spin-off Clique Summer Collection for young adults. After the fifth series title, Claire, arrives next month, Clique fans will be looking ahead to November, when the members of the Pretty Committee make their debut on the small screen, with the release of a direct-to-DVD movie adapted from Harrison's novels. Read on »

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AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: Brooke Shields; Dick Morris; The Family
Authors on this morning’s Today show: Actress and mother Brooke Shields, whose Welcome to Your World, Baby (HarperCollins, $16.99), that pubs today. And political commentator Dick Morris, co-author of Fleeced (HarperCollins, $26.95). Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Literary Austin
Writers, editors and agents descended on Austin, TX, over the weekend for the 2008 Writers League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference. Pictured here at Stubb's Bar-b-que (l. to r.) are: Katie Sulkowski, Creative Trust; Rusty Shelton, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists; Tolly Moseley, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists; Mike Merschel, Dallas Morning News, Books Editor; Ron Hogan, GalleyCat; Stephanie Mayabb, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

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