BTW News Briefs

Here’s what’s happening this week in the book industry:

Over 450 antiquarian booksellers in at least 26 countries are participating in a weeklong boycott of AbeBooks, an online rare book retailer that operates as a subsidiary of Amazon, after the company informed booksellers in at least four countries, including Russia, South Korea, and the Czech Republic, that it would no longer host sellers there.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Barnes & Noble’s rumored buyer this June was W.H. Smith, the U.K. book and gift retailer. In a complaint filed last month in response to former CEO Demos’ Parneros wrongful termination lawsuit against the company, B&N contended that Parneros’ negative speech during a meeting had sabotaged the potential sale.

Starting this month, Abrams will handle North American sales and trade distribution for Cernunnos, which publishes books showcasing the art of the 21st century. Abrams and Cernunnos are both owned by Média-Participations.

Beginning in December, Hopkins Fulfillment Services will provide distribution services for Northeastern University Press, which does not publish new books but maintains a vibrant backlist.

At Penguin Press, Gail Brussel has been promoted to assistant publicity director.

At Barefoot Books, Maggie McEachern is being promoted to sales and marketing operations associate; Elaine Stone is being promoted to product marketing manager; and Elina DeVos to global sales and enablement manager.

Sarah Reidy will join Tom Doherty Associates on November 19 as executive director of publicity.

Philip Rappoport will succeed Jon Fine as senior vice president and publisher of Open Road Integrated Media, effective November 15; Fine will become deputy counsel at American Media. Rappaport was promoted from his position as vice president and editorial director. In addition, Laura Ferguson has joined Open Road as senior vice president of business development.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed rate increases to begin January 27, 2019, including on media mail. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the change would raise Mailing Services product prices around 2.5 percent.

Top U.S. magazine printer LSC Communications will acquire another top printer, Quad/Graphics, in a $1.4 billion deal; Quad/Graphics is expected to close in mid-2019. Both companies rank in Printing Impressions’ top three printers serving the U.S. and Canada.

Nominations opened on Tuesday for the 2019 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards. Books are nominated by members of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) has announced the finalists for the 2019 Southern Book Prize. This year, nominations were expanded from website submissions to include SIBA bookseller member reviews submitted to Edelweiss.