TODAY'S NEWS

Freese Heading Back to National Book Network as President
By Jim Milliot
After being away for eight years, Rich Freese will return to National Book Network July 6 as president of the Lanham, Md.-based distributor. With his appointment, Jed Lyons, who has served as NBN president since it was founded 23 years ago, will focus on the publishing operations of NBN’s sister company Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. “When Rich was here we had a great run,” Lyons said. “I’m excited to have him back.” Read on »

The AAP Pushes for Expansion of "Libel Tourism" Legislation
By Jim Milliot
The Association of American Publishers sent a letter to Congress last week expressing the association’s concern that current legislation designed to protect authors and publishers against libel tourism “does not go far enough.” According to the letter, the new bill, H.R. 2765, fails to provide publishers and authors with a cause of action to permit them to countersue in American courts. “There has got to be a way American authors can go back into court and say no matter what a foreign court rules, the judgment is not enforceable in the United States,” said AAP spokesperson Judy Platt. Libel tourism refers to the practice of plaintiffs suing American authors and publishers in foreign courts where libel is easier to prove than in the U.S. Read on »

Taschen Readies $1,000 Apollo 11 Book
By Lynn Andriani
Famously edgy illustrated book publisher Taschen is about to release its biggest project since GOAT, the $5,000 homage to Muhammad Ali it published in 2004. Next month, Norman Mailer, MoonFire: The Epic Journey of Apollo 11 will go on sale for $1,000. The 350-page slipcased hardcover will be Mailer’s first posthumously published book, and each book will come with a signed, framed, numbered gelatin photograph of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Read on »

Web Exclusive Reviews
Robert Greenfield on a counterculture couple, Steve Nicholls on the history of U.S. nature, Paula E. Morton on the man who made the National Enquirer, William Zinsser on a life of writing well, Mike Torrey photographs Machu Picchu, and Stacey Levine returns with another strange story collection. Plus: new picture books from Sarah Verroken, Jason Deeble, and the duo of Laura Kraus Melmen & Henri Sorensen. Read on »

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The PW Morning Report
Obama’s Brother Inks Book Deal; Prize-winning Books Analyzed; Kindle vs. Regular Books; Beats Go to Hollywood. Read on »

AUTHORS ON THE AIR

Authors on the Air: The Art of Making Money; Lauren Conrad; Mustang
Today, The Diane Rehm Show hosted journalist Jason Kersten, author of The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter (Gotham, 978-1592404469, $26; Brilliance Audio unabridged CD, $29.99), his account of counterfeiter Art Williams, Jr. Read on »

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Going 'Down' in Dublin
At the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award dinner, author Michael Thomas won this year's award for Man Gone Down (Grove/Atlantic). Pictured here (l. to r.) are: Thomas's editor, Elisabeth Schmitz; Thomas and his wife, Michaele Wylde; and Christopher Houghton, Worldwide director IMPAC Award programs. Submit your pictures here »

JOB OF THE DAY

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