publishing industry

A New York judge has called off a deal between Google and the book industry that would have created a universal library. But a new deal could still go forward with modifications.

To those outside the publishing industry, the deals that get covered in the press might give the impression that book auctions are as rare as solar eclipses. In fact, they happen with remarkable regularity. But that doesn't mean they're any less nerve-wracking for authors.

Google opened its long-anticipated Internet book store Monday, putting itself in direct competition with Amazon.com. Buyers can read its 3 million e-Books on any Web device or reader -- except on Amazon's Kindle.

Matthew Biberman had a story to tell about his dad and a one-of-a-kind motorcycle, and he soon turned his passion into a book deal. But the newly published author says the book deal is just the beginning -- learning how to pitch your story is what builds audiences.

In today's spooky economy, more writers are turning to ghostwriting to help make ends meet. If you're looking for a new career -- or if you've got a story to tell but no interest in writing it yourself -- here are some things you should know, things you should avoid and things not to worry about.

When a book publisher wants to reward an editor's ability to bring in the bestseller bacon -- or sweeten a job offer -- the solution is often a new imprint, ideally one with their name on it. Which explains nothing about why Hachette just gave one to comedy show host Chelsea Handler.

Why did News Corp. bury the earnings of its book publishing unit HarperCollins? Does the media giant view the publisher as merely an afterthought -- or could Rupert Murdoch be contemplating a sale?

Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse magazine, died Wednesday at the age of 79.

Conservative books sell -- a fact that the traditionally liberal publishing industry has learned to embrace. HarperCollins plans to join publishers Simon & Schuster, Penguin, and Random House with a conservative imprint of its own, Broadside Books.