BTW News Briefs

Small Business Review Looks at Presidential Candidates' Small Biz Agenda

The Small Business Review recently looked at the most significant issues facing small businesses and how the leading presidential candidates plan on addressing these challenges. The article noted, "While the presidential candidates lack focus on small businesses, their proposed policies have definite implications." Small business issues, it said, "often take a back seat to those of many other interest groups -- and this election appears to be no different." The article looks at where each candidate stands on health care; innovation, economic development, education, and access to capitol; and taxes.

Regarding healthcare issues, the article suggests readers check out the Kaiser Family Foundation's side-by-side summary of candidates' healthcare proposals.

AAP Reports Publishing Sales are Up for October

Book sales tracked by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) for the month of October reflected an increase of 2.1 percent for the month; yearly sales were up as well with an increase of 9.3 percent.

• The Adult Hardcover category was up by 9.7 percent in October with sales of $329.0 million; year-to-date sales were up by 13.7 percent.
• Adult Paperback sales rose 3.0 percent for the month ($124.0 million); sales were down slightly by 1.3 percent for the year.
• The Adult Mass Market category declined by 18.1 percent for October with sales totaling $62.6 million; sales also declined by 7.5 percent year-to-date.
• The Children's/YA Hardcover category showed a decrease of 1.5 percent for the month with sales of $82.0 million; however, sales year-to-date were up by 52.7 percent.
• The Children's/YA Paperback category was down by 5.2 percent in October with sales totaling $49.3 million; sales were up by 3.3 percent for the year.

Scholastic Hopes for a Successor to Harry Potter

Scholastic hopes it has a successor to Harry Potter, according to the New York Times: The 39 Clues, a series that features 10 books, the first of which will be published in September 2008, and Web-based games, collectors' cards, and cash prizes. "We want to go where the kids are and really be part of their complete world, rather than going to one aspect of their world," David Levithan, an executive editorial director at Scholastic, told the Times. "We talk of it as being subversively educational." The books will be geared toward 8- to 12-year-old readers.

800-CEO-READ's Business Book Award Semifinalists and Shortlist

800-CEO-Read recently announced the semifinalists and shortlist for its first annual 800-CEO-READ Business Book Awards. The 800-CEO-Read website noted, "After nearly 300 titles were submitted to the 8CR editorial staff, 56 are in the running for winning the best in each of the 13 categories, as well as the overall Best Business Book of 2007 award. The final winners will be announced on January 15, 2008."

The shortlist is available at 800ceoread.com/bookawards.