Nelson Lifts Results at HC in Fiscal 2013

The addition of Thomas Nelson was cited as the primary reason for a 15% increase in revenue in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, at HarperCollins, according to parent company News Corp. HC revenue was $1.37 billion for the year. EBITDA jumped 65%, to $142 million, due to the inclusion of $27 million in earnings from Nelson and lower litigation settlement costs related to the e-book antitrust action in fiscal 2012. The report also noted that HC has “exited the third-party distribution business” in the U.S.

Penguin Expands E-books In Libraries

Nearly two years after Penguin pulled its e-book titles from OverDrive, the publisher’s titles will once again be available for libraries via the market-leading e-book lending service. In addition, Penguin will expand its relationship with Baker & Taylor, making its e-books available to all Baker & Taylor Axis 360 customers.

S&S Begins School Test for E-books

Simon & Schuster has begun a pilot program aimed at making 450 of its most popular children’s and young adult titles available for use in school classrooms as e-books, teaming with school distributors Booksource, Follett, Mackin Educational Resources, and Perma-Bound. Each e-book purchased may be used in the classroom for one year from the purchase date, and may only be used by one student at a time.

Amazon Releases Upgraded Kindle Fire Tablets

Amazon announced an upgraded suite of tablet devices that will include the new Kindle Fire HDX, an upgraded version of the Kindle HD tablet that offers a higher-resolution screen in two sizes, as well as a new version of the 7-in. Kindle HD ($139 with 8 GB).