TODAY'S NEWS

B&T Gets New CEO
Thomas Morgan has taken over as chairman and CEO of Baker & Taylor, replacing Jack Eugster who had moved into the dual role in January following the departure of Richard Willis. Morgan has a long history in the distribution business, and was most recently president and CEO of Hughes Supply, Inc., in Orlando, Florida, a large distributor of construction supplies. While at Hughes, the company’s sales grew from $3 billion to $5.3 billion while Morgan was also able to implement “operating disciplines.” In a prepared statement Morgan said: “I am excited to be joining the existing senior management team at Baker & Taylor and continuing to build upon the core strengths of the Company with its leading service offering to libraries and retail customers in the U.S. and abroad.”

Gary Appel, vice chairman Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity firm that owns the controlling interest in Baker & Taylor, said, “Tom Morgan joins Baker & Taylor with a strong background as a leader of some of the country’s largest and best recognized distribution businesses which will enhance our senior management and allow us to accelerate our strategic plans.” Morgan’s appointment follows the promotion last month of David Cully, who was named president of retail markets.

Children's Fiction Drives German Gains
By Holger Ehling
The German book industry – Europe’s largest – had a good 2007, according to figures released by Boersenverein, the German book industry association, last week. Total sales increased 3.4%, to a record €9.58 billion($5 billion). This increase is the highest in the new millennium and compares favorably with the German retail sector in general, which saw growth of 1.7%. Title production was up 1.9%, to a total of 96,479 new titles and new editions, with a total print run of more than 980 million. Read on »

Blaze Damages Bunch of Grapes Bookstore
By Sally Lodge
A fire severely damaged the Bunch of Grapes bookstore in the town of Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard, on the Fourth of July. The flames spread to the store after completely destroying a restaurant located in the adjacent building. Volunteer firefighters from three towns battled the fast-moving blaze; fortunately, no injuries were reported. Read on »

Thrills Come to the Big Apple
By Jordan Foster
The fifth annual International Thriller Writers (ITW) Thriller Fest comes to Manhattan this week, with panels, presentations and workshops featuring some of the genre’s biggest names. Held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel July 9-12, Thriller Fest will pay tribute to 2008 ThrillerMaster Sandra Brown, who will be presented her award by 2007 ThrillerMaster and bestselling author James Patterson. Events include a demonstration by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) entitled “Lethal Weapons, Bombs and Terrorism,” an interview with Clive Cussler by Douglas Preston, and appearances by authors Lee Child, R.L. Stine, and Steve Berry. A meeting place for authors, readers, budding writers, and publishing industry professionals, the first thriller conference in the U.S. was hosted by Poisoned Pen’s Barbara Peters in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2004. More information on ITW can be found on their Web site www.thrillerfest.org. 

Three Answers With Sidney Offit
By Dick Donahue
Three Answers from Sidney Offit, whose Friends, Writers and Other Countrymen was published last week by St. Martin’s Press Read on »

Blogs

MORE STORIES

Web Exclusive Reviews
On the Web this week: the joy of repetition, the nitty-gritty of China, the story of a Guantanamo Bay translator, the life of a lesbian literary hero, and practical family eating for the eco-, community- and health-conscious. Plus: Monk in print, Finn in audio, counterterrorism in the 1980s and famous deciders deciding badly (from King Priam to G.W.Bush). Read on »

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: How The States Got Their Shapes; From Mao to the Met; One Minute to Midnight
Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning, playwright and screenwriter Mark Stein divulged How The States Got Their Shapes (Collins, $22.95).After the jump: boxer Oscar De La Hoya and Weeds star Kevin Nealon Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Cooking Lessons
The staff of the Del Mar, Calif., indie, Book Works, stopped by the Rancho La Puerta Cooking School and Spa in San Diego on June 27 to plan for an upcoming event centered around Cooking With the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) by Szekely and Deborah M. Schneider with Chef Jesús Gonzáles. Pictured here (back row, second from left) is Jesús Gonzáles. Then, left to right, is: Adrian Newell (Warwicks); Lisa Stefanacci and Carol Harmon (Book Works); Amy (Stephen Young); and Jet Hopster (Book Works). (The people in the rainbow aprons are cooking school instructors/assistants.) 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.