Random House, Hachette Cash In on Bestsellers
Two of the largest publishing houses have demonstrated again that when authors like Stephenie Meyer or Stieg Larsson become big phenomenons, big sales -- and big profits -- are the result.
e-books
Barnes & Noble Kicks Off Proxy Fight With Burkle
Barnes & Noble's board has sent a letter to shareholders urging them to vote to rebuff investor Ron Burkle's battle to control the bookseller. The letter is part of annual-meeting materials B&N mailed to shareholders, formally launching its proxy battle.
Random House's E-Book Deal With Wylie Leaves Much Unanswered
Random House and top literary agent Andrew Wylie have settled their fight over his plans to publish e-books of older works from big name authors he represents. But while the battle is over, the settlement announcement raises more questions than it answers about the future of e-publishing.
Earnings Report: With Proxy Fight Looming, Losses Mount for Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble reports a consolidated net loss of $63 million, or $1.12 per share. That's considerably more than the loss estimated by investors. Meanwhile, a battle with a major shareholder intensifies.
Borders CFO Resigns: Another Sign of Trouble for the Books?
In a tumultuous year, book retailer Borders is dealing with another bump: It's chief financial officer, Mark Bierley, has resigned "to pursue another employment opportunity" -- nine days before the company is scheduled to post quarterly earnings.
Books-A-Million's Predictable Earnings Story
For investors, Books-A-Million stands out for its stability in a turbulent industry. The bookseller reported that second-quarter profits climbed to $1.9 million, although its sales fell.
Barnes & Noble's Founder Digs in for Proxy Fight
Ron Burkle drew first blood in the looming battle at the annual shareholders meeting, but founder and Chairman Leonard Riggio isn't backing down. He's hiking his stock holdings and staying on the board ballot while two others vacate their seats.
Burkle Poised for Ugly Barnes & Noble Proxy Fight
After losing in court, renegade investor Ron Burkle is poised to launch a proxy contest for Barnes & Noble that will be tinged by animosity between Burkle and B&N founder and chairman Leonard Riggio.
Borders's Fifth Round of 2010 Layoffs Hits Corporate Office
An unspecified number of the 650 employees working at the company's Ann Arbor headquarters have been cut. The stock price has already dipped on the news.
One Big Reason Why B&N Is For Sale: Ron Burkle
Apart from the many strategic issues that have weighed down Barnes & Noble's stock price, there's another good reason for the company to put itself up for sale: An effort to liberate itself from the manipulations of investor Ron Burkle.
Random House Wages War Over Amazon E-Book Sales
Random House is throwing down the gauntlet with an announcement that it will stop doing English-language business with a top literary agency, Wylie Agency, because the agency signed an exclusive deal to sell e-books to Amazon.
Amazon E-book Sales Surpass Hardcovers
Digital books have reached a tipping point. Today Amazon reported that for the first time, sales of Kindle e-books vastly surpassed hardcover books during the last quarter.
Does Amazon's E-Reader Patent Put Nook at Risk?
The battle of the e-readers between Amazon and B&N was already plenty heated, but now the competition takes an intriguing twist with a patent ruling that threatens the very existence of B&N's popular Nook.
Apple's E-Book Pricing Prompts Antitrust Inquiry
Apple was able to bump up prices of e-books when it introduced the iPad. But did the company go too far? The Texas attorney general's Office is looking into a possible antitrust case.
Top Book Industry Execs Face, Fear the Future
At the annual Book Expo America trade conference, beleaguered publishing Pooh-Bahs discuss pay plans, e-books, and comedian Steve Martin. Who will get the last laugh as the business hurtles into the unknown?