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NEW YORK (AP) — In 2022, the story of book publishing was often the industry itself.
Penguin Random House’s attempt to purchase Simon & Schuster ended up in a Washington, D.C. courtroom, as the Department of Justice prevailed after a three week antitrust trial last summer that also served as an extensive, often unflattering probe into how the business operates. In November, some 250 HarperCollins union employees went on strike, their calls for improved wages and benefits and greater workplace diversity amplifying an industry-wide discussion over the historically low pay for entry- and mid-level workers.
And throughout the year, social media was the meeting ground for observations and revelations on the trial, the strike and other issues the publishing world once confined to private gatherings. Authors posted their book advances, agents criticized HarperCollins and other publishers, and editors shared their year-by-year salaries. Some staffers, such as former Macmillan editor Molly McGhee, announced on Twitter last March that they had had enough and were quitting.
In her resignation letter, McGhee cited “the invisibility of junior employees’ workload” and alleged that “many executives in the publishing industry are technology illiterate” and dependent on their assistants.
“I have a theory that publishing is at a very important decision point where it has to decide whether it wants to continue moving forward with 20th century ideas or if it wants to join other businesses and go into the 21st century,” McGhee, 28, said recently. “And I think it’s very hard for them to make that transition.”
“There are very important conversations going on that would not have come out publicly when I was starting out,” said Kate Testerman, founder of the KT Literary Agency. “The only people that you could talk about what was going on with were co-workers or your friends.”
Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp offered a briefer assessment: “We are living in expressive times.”
Despite the phenomenal success of novelist Colleen Hoover, the number of books sold dropped around 6% from the historic highs of 2021, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks around 85% of hardcover and paperback sales. Publishers cite the lessening of pandemic regulations and more people leaving their homes as a factor. But the numbers are still above the last pre-pandemic year, 2019, and the power of literature remains high, not just in the minds of the book community but among government officials and political activists.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, responding last fall to the U.S. District Court’s decision to block the Penguin Random House-Simon & Schuster merger, said that the proposed deal would have “diminished the breadth, depth, and diversity of our stories and ideas, and ultimately impoverished our democracy.”
Conservatives, meanwhile, continued their efforts to pull books from school and libraries, with Missouri alone targeting nearly 300, from Margaret Atwood’s Dystopian “The Handmaid’s Tale” to a Manga edition of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The American Library Association reported surging levels of attempted bannings, especially books with racial and LGBTQ themes, and widespread harassment of librarians. A prominent advocate for removing books, Moms for Liberty, defines its mission as defending “parental rights at all levels of government.”
In some ways, book publishing is still an outlier from other arts and entertainment industries. Video and music stores are mostly gone, but physical bookstores have endured despite the growing size and power of Amazon.com; the American Bookselling Association, the trade group for independent stores, is reporting its highest membership in decades. Publishing also remains high-minded compared to music or movies or sports, the kind of industry where executives such as Hachette CEO Michael Pietsch stated, under oath, during the Penguin Random House trial that agents don’t lie to them.
“It would be devastating (if they did),” Pietsch told The Associated Press recently. ”We have an industry that operates pretty much on trust.”
But otherwise, says Penguin Random House US CEO Madeline McIntosh, the industry no longer stands apart from larger trends — whether inflation and supply chain delays, or questions about diversity and working conditions. She and others cite the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and social media, along with the emerging influence of younger employees.
“Some of us are sounding like the older generation during the rise of the hippies, where we’re like ‘Kids these days, what on Earth are they up to?’” McIntosh, 53, says. “Given the state of the world today, it’s completely logical that Gen Z is determined to change the status quo. This may be one of those generations that leaves a stamp on culture for a long time.”
Karp sees the current moment as a coming of age for Gen Z not just within publishing houses, but on best seller lists, with Hoover’s “It Starts With Us,” Jennette McCurdy’s memoir “I’m Glad My Mother Died” and rom-com fiction such as Tessa Bailey’s “Hook, Line and Sinker” among many works benefiting from the enthusiasm of younger readers.
Karp, 58, himself knows how generations can differ: After Simon & Schuster announced it was publishing former Vice President Mike Pence’s memoir “So Help Me God,” released this fall, younger staff members confronted him during a virtual town hall meeting, objecting to Pence’s service in the Trump administration and his conservative stances on gay rights and other issues. Some were openly unhappy with Karp’s response that Simon & Schuster was committed to publishing a range of political views.
“They wanted to hear answers and they deserved answers,” Karp said recently. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with questioning your work culture.”
Over the past few years, employees have challenged and upended traditions that endured for decades or more, even to the very origins of American book publishing — that a politically liberal culture, committed to the broadening of the public mind, was itself predominantly white; that the vitality of publishing’s mission — and the glamour of New York literary culture — compensated for low pay (usually under $50,000 for new hires) and long hours that forced some staffers for years to live at home or share apartments with multiple roommates.
“There was an understanding that you’ve got to prove your commitment. That if you stick it out, then you’ll see the money. Just get through the first five years,” says Rachel Kambury, 31, a HarperCollins associate editor currently on strike. ”I feel now like the lid is off on so many issues that had been prevalent in publishing.”
“I’ve gotten to see a lot of young people in recent years and they have such a different sensibility and vocabulary,” says young adult author Maureen Johnson, 49, whose books include “13 Little Blue Envelopes” and the upcoming “Nine Liars,” part of her “Truly Devious” series. “I feel like they’re not kidding around. They have a sense of worth of themselves as people and a sense that it doesn’t have to be this way.”
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Books make for a wonderful present, whether the recipient is into cooking, biographies, sports, video games, and more. Here are some of the best books to gift this holiday season.
The 2023 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records takes readers on a journey that’s out of this world, revealing the latest and greatest record-breaking achievements here on Earth and across the vast distances of space. A wonderful book for all ages, and something that will become a collectible in the future.
A Ballet of Lepers: A Novel and Stories offers an unprecedented glimpse into the formation of the legendary talent of Leonard Cohen. In A Ballet of Lepers, readers will discover that the magic that animated Cohen’s unforgettable body of work was present from the very beginning. The pieces in this collection offer startling insight into Cohen’s imagination and creative process, and explore themes that would permeate his later work.
The Series: What I Remember, What It Felt Like, What It Feels Like Now by Ken Dryden is the new book by the Hall of Fame goalie and bestselling author. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series that is considered one of the most important moments in hockey history. Dryden says it changed the game, on the ice and off, everywhere in the world, and became one of the most significant events in all of Canada’s history.
The Trapped In A Video Game series is a fantastic collection for chapter readers who love both books and video games. Getting sucked into a video game is not as much fun as you’d think – there might be jetpacks, hover tanks, and infinite lives, but what happens when the game starts to turn on you? In this best-selling series, 12-year-old Jesse Rigsby finds out just how dangerous video games – and the people making those games – can be.
Down And Out In Paradise: The Life Of Anthony Bourdain is the first book to tell the true and full Bourdain story, relating the highs and lows of an extraordinary life. Author Charles Leerhsen shows how Bourdain’s never-before-reported childhood traumas fueled both his creativity and the insecurities that would lead him to a place of despair.
The Lonely Planet guides are must-have travel books for anyone who loves the sport of globetrotting. Whether you’re buying a gift for someone who has a specific destination in mind, or a wanderlust that flies by the seat of their pants, there’s a Lonely Planet book designed specifically for them.
And while you’re curled up with a great book, be sure to have a Glade candle or plug-in nearby. Their incredible scents for the holiday season are warm, inviting, and homey, including Apple of my Pie, Snow Much Fun, and Pine Wonderland, to name just a few.
– Jennifer Cox
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HONG KONG — Jimmy Lai broke into Hong Kong’s rambunctious media world 30 years ago armed with the belief that delivering information equates with protecting freedom.
Lai’s own freedom is at stake as he fights charges of endangering national security as former publisher of his now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.
Already serving a 20-month term for other offenses, the 74-year-old Lai could face up to life in prison if he is convicted under a sweeping National Security Law that Beijing has imposed on the former British colony, silencing or jailing many pro-democracy activists.
The high-profile trial was to begin Thursday but was postponed due to a request from Hong Kong’s Department of Justice based on its objection over whether Lai’s British lawyer will be allowed to defend him. Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader John Lee has asked China to issue a ruling that could block veteran barrister Timothy Owen from representing Lai.
If Beijing intervenes, that would mark the sixth time the Communist-ruled government has stepped in despite its promise to respect Hong Kong’s judicial independence and civil liberties for at least 50 years after China took over from Britain in 1997.
The Department of Justice has asked for the trial, which will be overseen by three judges, to be suspended pending a decision from Beijing about Lai’s defense lawyer.
Lai’s legal troubles derailed a stunning career for a man smuggled into Hong Kong from the Chinese mainland at age 12.
After getting only a primary school education, he started out working in a glove factory and sprinted up the ranks to found the casual clothing chain Giordano in 1981. Following the crackdown on 1989 student-led pro-democracy protests centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, he became an outspoken advocate for democracy, founding Next Magazine the year after.
Attacks on Giordano by the Chinese government prompted Lai to sell his shares in the business and devote himself to the media world.
In 1995, Lai launched the Apple Daily, which quickly became one of the city’s top selling newspapers with its sometimes outrageous coverage of politics and celebrities. The publication survived a newspaper price war and expanded into Taiwan in the 2000s.
Apple Daily pioneered the use of short animated films online to accompany news reports. Its investigative scoops and critical reports on the government attracted a strong following. Apple Daily also adopted a strong pro-democracy stance, often urging readers to join protests.
Lai participated in mass protests in Hong Kong in 2019, meeting with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss since-withdrawn legislation that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
Opposition to the bill morphed into months of sometimes violent protests as demands for greater democracy in Hong Kong escalated.
The protest movement, which eventually was snuffed out, lacked any clear leader, but Lai’s high profile made him a target of the authorities.
Apple Daily denounced the enactment of the National Security Law in June 2020. Lai told The Associated Press that “Hong Kong is dead,” but said he would stay.
“If I leave, not only do I disgrace myself, I’d discredit Apple Daily, I’d undermine the solidarity of the democratic movement,” he said.
In August that year, Lai was arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces. More than 200 officers raided the offices of Next Digital, Apple Daily’s parent company. Arrests of its top executives, editors and journalists and the freezing of $2.3 million worth of assets forced the newspaper to shut down in June 2021. It sold a million copies of its final edition.
In recent hearings, Lai has appeared tanned, possibly due to outdoors time in Stanley Prison — the city’s largest maximum security lockup — and in good spirits. People who have been in touch with him have noted that he is turning to his Roman Catholic faith in prison, with a friend who wished to remain anonymous due to the issue’s sensitivity saying Lai drew the figure of Jesus on the cross in the letters he sent to others.
Lai is charged with two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one charge of collusion under the National Security Law. His trial is Hong Kong’s first to center on allegations of “collusion with foreign forces.” Lai also was charged with sedition under a colonial-era law that has been used to quash dissent.
Next month, Lai is due to be sentenced for alleged fraud related to subletting office space to a company he also controlled.
In an interview in July 2020, Lai seemed unfazed.
“If I have to go to prison, I don’t mind. I don’t care,” he said. “I cannot worry, because you never know what kind of measures they will take against me.”
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Income-seeking investors are looking at an opportunity to scoop up shares of real estate investment trusts. Stocks in that asset class have become more attractive as prices have fallen and cash flow is improving.
Below is a broad screen of REITs that have high dividend yields and are also expected to generate enough excess cash in 2023 to enable increases in dividend payouts.
REITs distribute most of their income to shareholders to maintain their tax-advantaged status. But the group is cyclical, with pressure on share prices when interest rates rise, as they have this year at an unprecedented scale. A slowing growth rate for the group may have also placed a drag on the stocks.
And now, with talk that the Federal Reserve may begin to temper its cycle of interest-rate increases, we may be nearing the time when REIT prices rise in anticipation of an eventual decline in interest rates. The market always looks ahead, which means long-term investors who have been waiting on the sidelines to buy higher-yielding income-oriented investments may have to make a move soon.
During an interview on Nov 28, James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee, discussed the central bank’s cycle of interest-rate increases meant to reduce inflation.
When asked about the potential timing of the Fed’s “terminal rate” (the peak federal funds rate for this cycle), Bullard said: “Generally speaking, I have advocated that sooner is better, that you do want to get to the right level of the policy rate for the current data and the current situation.”
In August we published this guide to investing in REITs for income. Since the data for that article was pulled on Aug. 24, the S&P 500
SPX,
has declined 4% (despite a 10% rally from its 2022 closing low on Oct. 12), but the benchmark index’s real estate sector has declined 13%.
REITs can be placed broadly into two categories. Mortgage REITs lend money to commercial or residential borrowers and/or invest in mortgage-backed securities, while equity REITs own property and lease it out.
The pressure on share prices can be greater for mortgage REITs, because the mortgage-lending business slows as interest rates rise. In this article we are focusing on equity REITs.
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) reported that third-quarter funds from operations (FFO) for U.S.-listed equity REITs were up 14% from a year earlier. To put that number in context, the year-over-year growth rate of quarterly FFO has been slowing — it was 35% a year ago. And the third-quarter FFO increase compares to a 23% increase in earnings per share for the S&P 500 from a year earlier, according to FactSet.
The NAREIT report breaks out numbers for 12 categories of equity REITs, and there is great variance in the growth numbers, as you can see here.
FFO is a non-GAAP measure that is commonly used to gauge REITs’ capacity for paying dividends. It adds amortization and depreciation (noncash items) back to earnings, while excluding gains on the sale of property. Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) goes further, netting out expected capital expenditures to maintain the quality of property investments.
The slowing FFO growth numbers point to the importance of looking at REITs individually, to see if expected cash flow is sufficient to cover dividend payments.
For 2022 through Nov. 28, the S&P 500 has declined 17%, while the real estate sector has fallen 27%, excluding dividends.
Over the very long term, through interest-rate cycles and the liquidity-driven bull market that ended this year, equity REITs have fared well, with an average annual return of 9.3% for 20 years, compared to an average return of 9.6% for the S&P 500, both with dividends reinvested, according to FactSet.
This performance might surprise some investors, when considering the REITs’ income focus and the S&P 500’s heavy weighting for rapidly growing technology companies.
For a broad screen of equity REITs, we began with the Russell 3000 Index
RUA,
which represents 98% of U.S. companies by market capitalization.
We then narrowed the list to 119 equity REITs that are followed by at least five analysts covered by FactSet for which AFFO estimates are available.
If we divide the expected 2023 AFFO by the current share price, we have an estimated AFFO yield, which can be compared with the current dividend yield to see if there is expected “headroom” for dividend increases.
For example, if we look at Vornado Realty Trust
VNO,
the current dividend yield is 8.56%. Based on the consensus 2023 AFFO estimate among analysts polled by FactSet, the expected AFFO yield is only 7.25%. This doesn’t mean that Vornado will cut its dividend and it doesn’t even mean the company won’t raise its payout next year. But it might make it less likely to do so.
Among the 119 equity REITs, 104 have expected 2023 AFFO headroom of at least 1.00%.
Here are the 20 equity REITs from our screen with the highest current dividend yields that have at least 1% expected AFFO headroom:
| Company | Ticker | Dividend yield | Estimated 2023 AFFO yield | Estimated “headroom” | Market cap. ($mil) | Main concentration |
| Brandywine Realty Trust |
BDN, |
11.52% | 12.82% | 1.30% | $1,132 | Offices |
| Sabra Health Care REIT Inc. |
SBRA, |
9.70% | 12.04% | 2.34% | $2,857 | Health care |
| Medical Properties Trust Inc. |
MPW, |
9.18% | 11.46% | 2.29% | $7,559 | Health care |
| SL Green Realty Corp. |
SLG, |
9.16% | 10.43% | 1.28% | $2,619 | Offices |
| Hudson Pacific Properties Inc. |
HPP, |
9.12% | 12.69% | 3.57% | $1,546 | Offices |
| Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. |
OHI, |
9.05% | 10.13% | 1.08% | $6,936 | Health care |
| Global Medical REIT Inc. |
GMRE, |
8.75% | 10.59% | 1.84% | $629 | Health care |
| Uniti Group Inc. |
UNIT, |
8.30% | 25.00% | 16.70% | $1,715 | Communications infrastructure |
| EPR Properties |
EPR, |
8.19% | 12.24% | 4.05% | $3,023 | Leisure properties |
| CTO Realty Growth Inc. |
CTO, |
7.51% | 9.34% | 1.83% | $381 | Retail |
| Highwoods Properties Inc. |
HIW, |
6.95% | 8.82% | 1.86% | $3,025 | Offices |
| National Health Investors Inc. |
NHI, |
6.75% | 8.32% | 1.57% | $2,313 | Senior housing |
| Douglas Emmett Inc. |
DEI, |
6.74% | 10.30% | 3.55% | $2,920 | Offices |
| Outfront Media Inc. |
OUT, |
6.68% | 11.74% | 5.06% | $2,950 | Billboards |
| Spirit Realty Capital Inc. |
SRC, |
6.62% | 9.07% | 2.45% | $5,595 | Retail |
| Broadstone Net Lease Inc. |
BNL, |
6.61% | 8.70% | 2.08% | $2,879 | Industial |
| Armada Hoffler Properties Inc. |
AHH, |
6.38% | 7.78% | 1.41% | $807 | Offices |
| Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. |
IIPR, |
6.24% | 7.53% | 1.29% | $3,226 | Health care |
| Simon Property Group Inc. |
SPG, |
6.22% | 9.55% | 3.33% | $37,847 | Retail |
| LTC Properties Inc. |
LTC, |
5.99% | 7.60% | 1.60% | $1,541 | Senior housing |
| Source: FactSet | ||||||
Click on the tickers for more about each company. You should read Tomi Kilgore’s detailed guide to the wealth of information for free on the MarketWatch quote page.
The list includes each REIT’s main property investment type. However, many REITs are highly diversified. The simplified categories on the table may not cover all of their investment properties.
Knowing what a REIT invests in is part of the research you should do on your own before buying any individual stock. For arbitrary examples, some investors may wish to steer clear of exposure to certain areas of retail or hotels, or they may favor health-care properties.
Several of the REITs that passed the screen have relatively small market capitalizations. You might be curious to see how the most widely held REITs fared in the screen. So here’s another list of the 20 largest U.S. REITs among the 119 that passed the first cut, sorted by market cap as of Nov. 28:
| Company | Ticker | Dividend yield | Estimated 2023 AFFO yield | Estimated “headroom” | Market cap. ($mil) | Main concentration |
| Prologis Inc. |
PLD, |
2.84% | 4.36% | 1.52% | $102,886 | Warehouses and logistics |
| American Tower Corp. |
AMT, |
2.66% | 4.82% | 2.16% | $99,593 | Communications infrastructure |
| Equinix Inc. |
EQIX, |
1.87% | 4.79% | 2.91% | $61,317 | Data centers |
| Crown Castle Inc. |
CCI, |
4.55% | 5.42% | 0.86% | $59,553 | Wireless Infrastructure |
| Public Storage |
PSA, |
2.77% | 5.35% | 2.57% | $50,680 | Self-storage |
| Realty Income Corp. |
O, |
4.82% | 6.46% | 1.64% | $38,720 | Retail |
| Simon Property Group Inc. |
SPG, |
6.22% | 9.55% | 3.33% | $37,847 | Retail |
| VICI Properties Inc. |
VICI, |
4.69% | 6.21% | 1.52% | $32,013 | Leisure properties |
| SBA Communications Corp. Class A |
SBAC, |
0.97% | 4.33% | 3.36% | $31,662 | Communications infrastructure |
| Welltower Inc. |
WELL, |
3.66% | 4.76% | 1.10% | $31,489 | Health care |
| Digital Realty Trust Inc. |
DLR, |
4.54% | 6.18% | 1.64% | $30,903 | Data centers |
| Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. |
ARE, |
3.17% | 4.87% | 1.70% | $24,451 | Offices |
| AvalonBay Communities Inc. |
AVB, |
3.78% | 5.69% | 1.90% | $23,513 | Multifamily residential |
| Equity Residential |
EQR, |
4.02% | 5.36% | 1.34% | $23,503 | Multifamily residential |
| Extra Space Storage Inc. |
EXR, |
3.93% | 5.83% | 1.90% | $20,430 | Self-storage |
| Invitation Homes Inc. |
INVH, |
2.84% | 5.12% | 2.28% | $18,948 | Single-family residental |
| Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. |
MAA, |
3.16% | 5.18% | 2.02% | $18,260 | Multifamily residential |
| Ventas Inc. |
VTR, |
4.07% | 5.95% | 1.88% | $17,660 | Senior housing |
| Sun Communities Inc. |
SUI, |
2.51% | 4.81% | 2.30% | $17,346 | Multifamily residential |
| Source: FactSet | ||||||
Simon Property Group Inc.
SPG,
is the only REIT to make both lists.
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NEW YORK — More than 150 literary agents, whose clients include Danielle Jackson, V.E. Schwab and L.A. Chandlar, have signed an open letter to HarperCollins vowing to “omit” the publisher from upcoming book submissions until it reaches an agreement with striking employees.
Around 250 entry- and mid-level staff members, from publicists to editorial assistants, have been on strike since Nov. 10, with the two sides differing over wages, workforce diversity and other issues that have become increasingly prominent across the industry. No new talks are scheduled.
“While many consider publishing to be a labor of love, we agents know how quickly that labor can lead to burnout, tension, missed opportunities for advancement, and mistakes,” the letter reads in part.
“This generation of rising publishing professionals must contend with student loan debt, the rising cost of living, and the barriers inherent in working long hours without adequate compensation. These employees, many of whom bring with them the diverse viewpoints our industry lacks, have been essential to the production of the books we are so proud of.”
Agents endorsing the letter come from Janklow & Nesbit Associates, Aevitas Creative Management, Root Literary and other firms. The letter was organized by Chelsea Hensley of the KT Literary Agency, who noted that the effort comes during a traditionally slow time of year for deal making.
“I wanted them (HarperCollins) to know that even if they don’t think they’re seeing the effects of the strike now, they’ll definitely be seeing it come January, which is when agents will have the most new projects to share,” Hensley told The Associated Press.
HarperCollins is the only major New York publisher with a union; striking employees are members of Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers. A spokesperson for the publisher did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
“HarperCollins has agreed to a number of proposals that the United Auto Workers Union is seeking to include in a new contract,” according to a statement released Monday by the publisher. We are disappointed an agreement has not been reached and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”
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When Rachel Kambury, 31, started working at publishing house Hachette six years ago, her manager sat her down and said, “I’m so happy you’re here.”
Courtesy of Rachel Kambury
She was flattered. “I was certainly happy to be there,” Kambury recalls. “But then he said, ‘You actually beat out 400 other people for this job.’”
At the time Kambury was honored and felt validated that she was chosen instead of hundreds of others for one coveted spot. Though the role was her dream job, the salary was less-than-desirable. It was 2016, and Kambury was earning around $33,000 — before taxes.
“I quickly came to this realization of, Oh, that’s how they justify these salaries, because there were 400 people who were ready and willing to take my spot,” she says. “They know that and take it for granted.”
Kambury has since moved on to other publishing companies; she’s currently an associate editor at HarperCollins. She’s now well into her career, has worked on hundreds of bestsellers and has bid on books for up to $500,000 — and yet, “I’m only making about $13 an hour after taxes,” she says.
Kambury is one of the hundreds of unionized HarperCollins employees currently picketing for fair pay and better working standards. Kambury says that the strike, which started on November 10, will continue until the employees negotiate a fair contract. The union represents about 250 employees, who have been working without a contract since April, according to the New York Times.
Day 2: Picketing in the rain. Thank you to everyone who cheered, honked, and donated food to keep us going today! #hcponstrike pic.twitter.com/YmtMC9V9Gw
— Erika DiPasquale (@ErDiPasquale) November 11, 2022
Related: 3 Lessons Employers Can Learn From the ‘Great Unionization’
The movement has garnered support from others in the publishing industry, world-renowned authors and online supporters voicing their solidarity. The widespread attention has brought to light, as Kambury points out, that it’s not just HarperCollins — it’s pretty much all of publishing.
“I would call it a combination of hazing and the process of elimination,” Kambury says. “This goes for all of the major publishers and some of the smaller ones — they’ve built their business over the years more and more on the exploitation of labor. They take passionate kids right out of college as much as possible.”
Kambury isn’t referring to “hazing” in the traditional sense, but rather subtle manipulation by those in power who reinforce the problematic systems that have made publishing a cutthroat industry for decades.
“You hear things like, ‘This is the way it’s always been,’ and, ‘When I started I was at $14,000 a year,’” she says. “So there’s this sort of top-down treatment of young employees where it’s like, ‘You should be grateful to be here. Don’t complain about the salary. Don’t care about the workload.’”
Kambury points out another key problem in the publishing industry today: The generational difference wherein higher-ups who have been in the industry for decades will now “pat themselves on the back” for approving overtime or granting paid time off. Kambury says she’s been “lucky” enough to have managers who approve her overtime, but she has friends in the industry whose managers do not even let them log it — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t working 10-15 extra hours a week, because Kambury says that’s a given.
Day 3 of picket line! @hcpunion #hcponstrike pic.twitter.com/Pj30lbOTwG
— Courtney Stevenson (@courtney_ps) November 14, 2022
The strikers are asking for three major changes. First, a raise in base salaries and then an adjustment to certain ranges after that to ensure there isn’t wage compression. Second, a commitment to codifying language in the contract to essentially make sure that the company’s commitment to diversity isn’t just words — that it follows through on what those words mean.
And third, stronger union protections.
Related: An Apple Store in Maryland Is the First to Unionize in the U.S.: ‘We Did It Towson!’
When they started this process back in December 2021, the union stewards put together about six pages of proposals Kambury says were “very doable, nothing crazy. And now we’re down to three — not even pages — we’re just down to three demands.”
What frustrates Kambury and so many others currently on the picket line is that they believe what they’re asking for is relatively standard. However, because the publishing industry has been built on systems of low-paid labor, it’s more of an uphill battle than one might expect. “The company has made it very, very clear that they consider us expendable, disposable and replaceable,” Kambury says. “And that’s an incredibly horrible feeling.”
Despite the circumstances, Kambury says the energy on the picket line — and online — is “electric and inspiring.”
“If I could bottle it and turn it into a perfume, I would,” she says. “I would wear it every day. It’s just so comforting.”
The strikers have been picketing since November 10 and intend to press on, rain or shine. HarperCollins did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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Madeline Garfinkle
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U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday, but off the session’s best levels, after more data suggested inflation may be slowing and mega-retailer Walmart offered a rosier annual forecast.
The Dow turned negative earlier in the session after the Associated Press reported that Russian missiles crossed into Poland and killed two people, ratcheting up geopolitical tension given Poland is a NATO country.
On Monday, U.S. stocks finished near session lows after early gains evaporated. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 211 points, or 0.6%, while the S&P 500 declined 36 points, or 0.9% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 226 points, or 2%.
U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday, after another batch of inflation data showed that whole prices rises were slowing in October for the second straight month.
The Dow’s brief negative turn came after reports that Russian military bombarded Ukraine Tuesday. In the attack, missiles reportedly crossed into Poland, a member of NATO, the Associated Press said, citing a senior U.S. intelligence official.
“Geopolitical concerns obviously are never positive for the market,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities.
On Tuesday, oil futures settled higher. West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery rose to $1.05, or 1.2%, reaching $86.92 a barrel.
While markets had started to price in the toll of Russian’s nearly nine-month invasion of Ukraine, it had not priced in an potential escalation of the war, said Kent Engelke, chief economic strategist at Capitol Securities Management.
“Talk about geopolitical angst returning,” Engelke said, later adding, “If there were really missiles shot to Poland and that was really not an accident, wow, that is really increasing the scope of the war.”
A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said the agency was aware of the news reports out of Poland, but that it cannot confirm the reports or any details at this time.
While international worries clouded the session, there was also encouraging domestic news.
The U.S. producer-price index climbed 8% over the 12 months through October, the Labor Department said Tuesday, easing from September’s revised 8.4% increase. Last week, stocks surged after the October consumer-price index rose more slowly than expected.
See: Wholesale prices rise slowly again and point to softening U.S. inflation
Tuesday’s PPI report helped support the notion that inflation has peaked, at least for now.
“Today, it’s really about the PPI and the market reaction to it,” Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers
IBKR,
said in a Tuesday morning interview before the reports of missiles crossing into Poland.
Markets ripped higher last Thursday after October’s consumer-price index showed signs of easing. The same dynamic was playing out Tuesday, but the response now has been “a bit more muted” because it’s an iteration on inflation data that investors already had been starting to see, Sosnick said.
So, is the economy really at peak inflation? It’s too early to say for sure, according to Sosnick. Still, the PPI numbers, paired with last week’s CPI reading “does add evidence to that narrative,” he added.
Walmart’s third quarter earnings also were buoying markets, Sosnick said. The massive retailer’s beat on earnings offers a glimpse at the minds and wallets of many American consumers. For anyone who worries about consumers “getting highly defensive” and not spending, Walmart’s numbers are “counter evidence.”
In other news, the first face-to-face meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping helped support stocks listed in China and Hong Kong, as some of the tensions between the world’s two largest economies were seen to be easing.
The upbeat tone from Asia, which included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
TSM,
jumping 7.7% on news Warren Buffett had bought a $5 billion stake, underpinned European bourses, which closed higher for a fourth session in a row.
Analysts increasingly expect stocks to enjoy a positive end to the year. “The near-term picture still looks positive for U.S. benchmark indices and while momentum has reached intra-day overbought levels, this doesn’t imply a selloff has to happen right away,” said Mark Newton, head of technical strategy at Fundstrat.
Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker said Tuesday that he favored a 50 basis-point hike to the Fed’s benchmark rate in December. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said more rate hikes will be needed, even through there have been “glimmers of hope” on inflation.
Fed Vice Chairman for Supervision Michael Barr said Tuesday that the U.S. economy is likely to slow in coming months, and more workers will lose their jobs, in Senate testimony. The Fed is working with regulators to assess risks tied to cryptocurrency markets, following the collapse of FTX and its associated companies.
In other U.S. economic data, the New York Empire State manufacturing index for November showed a gauge of manufacturing activity in the state rose 13.6 points to 4.5 this month.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note
TMUBMUSD10Y,
was down 6.7 basis points at 3.798%. Bond yields move inversely to prices.
—Jamie Chisholm contributed reporting to this article
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Shares of Chinese travel and consumer companies gained ground in Hong Kong after Beijing eased some Covid-19 restrictions, improving the outlook for sectors directly hit by the pandemic and the broader economic recovery.
In Friday afternoon trade, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index
160462,
advanced 7.6%, while the city’s benchmark Hang Seng Index
HSI,
jumped 7.1% to 17221.43, recovering to levels last seen a month ago. The benchmark index would mark its largest one-day gain since mid-March if it closes at current levels.
China’s three major airlines, Air China Ltd.
601111,
China Southern Airlines Co.
600029,
and China Eastern Airlines Corp.
600115,
added between 2.2% and 5.1%, while travel retailer China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp.
601888,
climbed 7.1%.
Broader consumer-related sectors also strengthened, amid hopes that less stringent rules could help revive consumption. E-commerce platforms Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
BABA,
9988,
and JD.com Inc.
JD,
9618,
jumped 11% and 16%, respectively, while restaurant operator Haidilao International Holding Ltd.
6862,
climbed 4.7%.
China said Friday that it will shorten the quarantine period for close contacts of COVID cases and travelers to the country, among other policy tweaks. But the government also said it will stick to its zero-COVID policy.
Friday’s market upturn came on the back of U.S. stocks’ biggest rally in two years, after October inflation data was weaker than expected, lifting expectations of less aggressive interest-rate increases by the Federal Reserve.
Write to Clarence Leong at clarence.leong@wsj.com
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NEW YORK — Some 250 copy editors, marketing assistants and other employees at HarperCollins Publishers went on strike Thursday, with the two sides differing over wages and benefits, diversity policy and union protection. It was a rare work stoppage in book publishing, where HarperCollins is the only company among the industry’s so-called “Big Five” to have a labor union.
“We feel really good about we’re doing and the spirit we’re doing it with,” said Carly Katz, an audio coordinator at HarperCollins and one of more than 100 striking staff members who picketed outside of the publisher’s offices in downtown Manhattan.
“We feel like this is the kind of action we need to take to make things happen,” said Parrish Turner, an editorial assistant in the children’s division of HarperCollins.
The HarperCollins union, Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers, struck for one day last summer and this time plans to stay out indefinitely until an agreement is reached. Employees had been working without a contract since April.
“HarperCollins has agreed to a number of proposals that the United Auto Workers Union is seeking to include in a new contract,” a HarperCollins spokesperson said in a statement. “We are disappointed an agreement has not been reached and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”
No new negotiations are currently scheduled.
The strikers represent a small percentage of HarperCollins’ worldwide personnel, which totals around 4,000. The publisher is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and earlier this fall laid off a “small number” of employees, citing cost management and uncertainly about the publishing market. This week, News Corp. reported an 11 percent drop in sales for HarperCollins during the fiscal first quarter, citing the strong U.S. dollar and warehousing issues at Amazon.com as factors.
In recent years, entry- and mid-level employees throughout publishing have been increasingly vocal on social media about their unhappiness with wages, workloads and diversity. Book publishing has long been a predominantly white, low-paying industry, and starting salaries remain below $50,000 at many companies, making it increasingly difficult for staffers to afford to live in New York City.
Numerous authors and agents have expressed support for the union. Tara Gonzalez of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency tweeted that she would send no submissions to HarperCollins until an agreement was reached. During the walkout in July, Neil Gaiman noted that he was published by HarperCollins in the U.S. and tweeted “I hope that the terrific people working there, who get my books made and onto the shelves, succeed in their demands.”
In a company memo sent last week and since widely circulated, Zandra Magariño, the publisher’s senior vice president for personnel, wrote that “While our goal remains to reach agreement on a fair contract with the United Auto Workers Union that is beneficial to both parties, HarperCollins has implemented plans to ensure that operations continue uninterrupted during a potential strike.”
Union representation at HarperCollins long precedes the ownership of Murdoch, who purchased what was then Collins and Harper & Row in the 1980s. In 1974, employees at Harper & Row went on strike for 2 1-2 weeks before agreeing to a new contract.
While few publishers have unions, organizing efforts have grown sharply at independent bookstores around the country, with employees citing the pandemic as making them more sensitive to working conditions. Moe’s Books in Berkeley, California and McNally Jackson stores in New York City are among the sellers whose staffers have formed or joined unions.
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Philadelphia is a city known for many things, good and bad. Now, you can add the legendary Alexander Tominsky, a.k.a. The Chicken Man, to the city’s mythos. His story started on October 8 when Tominsky announced that he was eating rotisserie chicken for 40 days straight. Claiming to already be on day 11, he realized what many have in this digital age—if it’s not posted online, did it really even happen? On October 27, Tominsky decided that the best way to end this streak was for a public gorge and made a flyer. This flyer ended up on the real streets of Philly.
The story garnered lots of online attention and even some offline. The independent outlet BillyPenn interviewed Tominsky and understandably felt the need to preface with the editor’s note: “Billy Penn is not affiliated with said event and cannot vouch for its authenticity or even existence.“
When asked why people would come to see him eat a rotisserie chicken, Tominsky replied, “I’ve had long stretches of being tortured and people can relate. The City of Philadelphia has had a lot of pain, but it’s a city with a lot of perseverance. That’s what makes this city very special.”
A week later, the event indeed happened and has only blown up further online. A crowd formed. Someone laid out a red carpet. It looked glorious.
@eye__lash big day to be a philadelphian
Even the official Gritty account commented under that video. The furball typed, “I love Philadelphia.”
Not to rub salt in the wound, but Philly really needed this after losing to the Astros at the world series the day before this event. Since gaining this attention, Tominsky has used this moment to call attention to those with food insecurity in a local neighborhood. On November 9, he encouraged people to donate to the South Philadelphia Community Fridge. This collab even features an option to distribute rotisserie chickens that was created with Tominsky. So far, this one specific type of donation has raised over $940 since he posted about it yesterday.
(via TikTok, featured image: FX)
What did you see online today, Mary Suevians?
—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
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Alyssa Shotwell
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NEW YORK — A federal judge has blocked Penguin Random House’s proposed purchase of Simon & Schuster, agreeing with the Justice Department that the joining of two of the world’s biggest publishers could “lessen competition” for “top-selling books.” The ruling was a victory for the Biden administration’s tougher approach to proposed mergers, a break from decades of precedent under Democratic and Republican leadership.
U.S. District Court Judge Florence Y. Pan announced the decision in a brief statement Monday, adding that much of her ruling remained under seal at the moment because of “confidential information” and “highly confidential information.” She asked the two sides to meet with her Friday and suggest redactions.
Penguin Random House quickly condemned the ruling, which it called “an unfortunate setback for readers and authors.” In its statement Monday, the publisher said it would seek an expedited appeal.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division praised the decision, saying in a statement that the decision “protects vital competition for books and is a victory for authors, readers, and the free exchange of ideas.”
He added: “The proposed merger would have reduced competition, decreased author compensation, diminished the breadth, depth, and diversity of our stories and ideas, and ultimately impoverished our democracy.”
Pan’s finding was not surprising — through much of the trial in August she had indicated agreement with the Justice Department’s contention that Penguin Random House’s plan to buy Simon & Schuster, for $2.2 billion, might damage a vital cultural industry.
But it was still a dramatic departure from recent history in the book world and beyond. The publishing industry has been consolidating for years with little interference from the government, even when Random House and Penguin merged in 2013 and formed what was then the biggest publishing house in memory. The joining of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster would have created a company far exceeding any rival and those opposing the merger included one of Simon & Schuster’s signature writers, Stephen King, who testified last summer on behalf of the government.
The Biden Justice Department has been pushing forward with aggressive enforcement of federal antitrust laws that officials say aim to ensure a fair and competitive market.
Monday’s news follows recent losses for the department in two significant antitrust cases in separate federal courts. The DOJ lost its bid to block a major U.S. sugar manufacturer, U.S. sugar, from acquiring its rival Imperial Sugar Co., one of the largest sugar refiners in the nation. The prosecutors signaled that they intended to appeal the decision. They also were stymied in their effort to block the roughly $8 billion acquisition by UnitedHealth Group, which runs the largest U.S. health insurer, of Change Healthcare, a healthcare technology company.
The DOJ also has been battling American Airlines and JetBlue in an antitrust trial in federal court in Boston, challenging their regional partnership in the Northeast, which the government calls a de facto merger.
The Justice Department’s case against Penguin Random House did not focus on market share overall or on potential price hikes for customer. The DOJ instead argued that the new company would so dominate the market for commercial books, those with author advances of $250,000 and higher, that the size of advances would go down and the number of releases would decrease.
Penguin Random House’s global CEO, Markus Dohle, had promised that imprints of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster would still be permitted to bid against each other for books. But he acknowledged under oath during the trial that his guarantee was not legally binding. Pan otherwise persistently challenged Penguin Random House’s assurances that the merger would not reduce competition.
Simon & Schuster will likely end up under new ownership, no matter the outcome of any legal appeals. The publisher had been up for sale well before the Penguin Random House deal was announced late in 2020 and the publisher’s corporate parent, Paramount Group Inc., has said it did not see Simon & Schuster as part of its future. Under bidders against Penguin Random House included Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which owns HarperCollins Publishers.
Simon & Schuster is one of the country’s oldest and most successful publishers, with authors ranging from King and and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Colleen Hoover and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Authors at Penguin Random House include Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, “Where the Crawdads Sing” novelist Delia Owens and historian Robert A. Caro.
In a company memo Monday shared with The Associated Press, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp sought to reassure employees that “despite this news, our company continues to thrive. We are more successful and valuable today than we have ever been, thanks to the efforts of all of you on behalf of our many magnificent authors.”
Pan, meanwhile, has since been appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, replacing Ketanji Brown Jackson after she was nominated by Biden and approved by the Senate for the Supreme Court.
————
Associated Press writer Marcy Gordon in Washington contributed to this report.
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NEW YORK — A federal judge has blocked Penguin Random House’s proposed purchase of Simon & Schuster, agreeing with the Justice Department that the joining of two of the world’s biggest publishers could “lessen competition” for “top-selling books.” The ruling reinforced the Biden administration’s tougher approach to proposed mergers, a break from decades of precedent under Democratic and Republican presidents.
U.S. District Court Judge Florence Y. Pan announced the decision in a brief statement Monday, adding that much of her ruling remained under seal at the moment because of “confidential information” and “highly confidential information.” She asked the two sides to meet with her Friday and suggest redactions.
Penguin Random House quickly condemned the ruling, which it called “an unfortunate setback for readers and authors.” In its statement Monday, the publisher said it would immediately seek an expedited appeal.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division praised the decision, saying in a statement that the decision “protects vital competition for books and is a victory for authors, readers, and the free exchange of ideas.”
He added: “The proposed merger would have reduced competition, decreased author compensation, diminished the breadth, depth, and diversity of our stories and ideas, and ultimately impoverished our democracy.”
Pan’s ruling was not surprising — through much of the trial last August she had indicated agreement with the Justice Department’s contention that Penguin Random House’s plan to buy Simon & Schuster might damage a vital cultural industry.
But it was still a dramatic break from recent history in the book world and beyond. The publishing industry has been consolidating for years with little interference from the government, even when Random House and Penguin merged in 2013 and formed what was then the biggest publishing house in memory. The joining of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster would have created a company far exceeding any rival.
The Justice Department’s legal action did not focus on market share overall or on potential price hikes for customer. The DOJ instead argued that the new company would so dominate the market for commercial books, those with author advances of $250,000 and higher, that the size of advances would go down and the number of releases would decrease.
Penguin Random House’s global CEO, Markus Dohle, had promised that imprints of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster would still be permitted to bid against each other for books. But he acknowledged under oath during the trial that his guarantee was not legally binding. Pan otherwise persistently challenged Penguin Random House’s assurances that the merger would not reduce competition.
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DAYTON, Ohio — A company that publishes three newspapers in Ohio has named a media industry veteran as its new publisher.
Suzanne Klopfenstein will formally assume her new role with Cox First Media on Jan. 1, when current publisher Jana Collier retires. But the company said the Springfield, Ohio, native will begin working now with Collier and other executives to ensure a smooth transition.
Dayton-based Cox First Media includes the Dayton Daily News, the Springfield News-Sun, the Journal-News, Dayton.com and Cox First Media advertising services. Together, these brands reach more than 444,000 people through daily print and digital publications, and the products have a total paid circulation of 104,805 and 172,000 newsletter subscribers.
Klopfenstein has 30 years of media experience, most recently as senior director of sales for Cox First Media. She joined Cox Enterprises and the Dayton Daily News in 1993 and has been at the forefront of Cox First Media’s digital advertising and audience strategies.
Collier has worked for Cox for 34 years and has been publisher since 2020.
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Hong Kong stocks suffered their worst single session since the 2008 financial crisis after Chinese leader Xi Jinping tightened his grip on power.
The Hang Seng
HSI,
ended more than 6% lower to a new 13-year low, with tech giants including JD.com
9618,
JD,
Baidu
9888,
BIDU,
Tencent
700,
and Alibaba
9988,
BABA,
dropping between 11% and 13% each.
The local Shanghai Composite
SHCOMP,
index fell a less dramatic 2%.
Over the weekend, the 69-year-old Xi secured his third term as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Reporters captured video of former Chinese President Hu Jintao getting escorted out of the closing ceremony. Four of the seven standing committee members were replaced, all of whom are at least 60 years old.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs say most of the new appointees worked with Xi at earlier stages of their careers. “We note that incoming leaders could arguably be more focused on ideological and political subjects while the retiring policymakers appear more economy/market-oriented,” they said.
They added that for valuations to improve, more clarity on the zero COVID policy, stabilization of the property markets, and de-escalation of both cross-straits and U.S.-China tensions would be needed.
China also reported delayed data, saying its economy grew at a 3.9% year-over-year rate in the third quarter, up from 0.4% in the second quarter.
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President Donald Trump (L) is embraced by Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of News Corp, during a dinner to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea during WWII onboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum May 4, 2017 in New York.
Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
Rupert Murdoch is exploring whether to put his media companies News Corp. and Fox Corp. back together, according to News Corp.
News Corp., which owns Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones, said Friday that it had formed a special committee of board members to consider a possible deal. A merger isn’t certain, the company added in its announcement.
Fox Corp., which was left over from the $71.3 billion Twenty-First Century Fox sale to Disney in 2019, owns right wing networks Fox News and Fox Business, which is a CNBC competitor.
A combination would allow Murdoch to consolidate leadership in his media empire and cut costs. The discussions come as the audience shrinks for both print media and cable television, as readers and viewers increasingly get their news and entertainment from social media, online news and streaming services.
The announcement will have no impact on the current operations of News Corp., CEO Robert Thomson told employees in a memo obtained by CNBC.
“I would like to stress that the special committee has not made any determination at this time, and there can be no certainty that any transaction will result from this evaluation,” he wrote.
Thomson also asked employees not to speculate about the potential deal or make any formal comments to media, shareholders or customers.
The news also comes as Fox Corp. and Fox News are facing a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion argues that Fox News and Fox Business made false claims that its voting machines rigged the results of the 2020 presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
CNBC has reached out to Fox and News Corp. for comment. “Neither the Company nor the Special Committee intends to comment on or disclose further developments regarding the Special Committee’s work unless and until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required,” News Corp. said in a statement on Friday.
Murdoch, 91, split Fox and News Corp. in 2013. He is the chairman of Fox and the executive chairman of News Corp. His son Lachlan Murdoch is CEO of Fox and co-executive chairman of News Corp.
The Murdoch family has a 42% voting stake in Fox and a 39% voting stake in News Corp., according to the Journal. Fox’s market value is about $17 billion, while News Corp.’s is about $9 billion, as of Friday’s market close. Class A shares of News Corp. rose more than 3% after hours, while Fox’s Class A shares barely moved.
News Corp. also includes book publisher HarperCollins, scandal sheet the New York Post and news outlets in the U.K. and Murdoch’s native Australia. Fox’s holdings also include the Fox broadcast network, which airs “The Simpsons” and NFL games.
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Press Release
–
Sep 22, 2022
RESTON, Va., September 22, 2022 (Newswire.com)
–
Publication Academy is excited to have the opportunity to continue providing best-in-class online training programs for a third consecutive year for grantees of the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc. (TWCF), a private foundation supporting diverse researchers around the world in discovering new knowledge, developing new tools, and launching new innovations that make a lasting impact on human flourishing.
As part of TWCF’s newly launched strategy to support new scientific research on human flourishing and to translate related discoveries into practical tools, Publication Academy will provide grantees with access to three customized curricula developed on its premiere training platform: (1) the TWCF Academic Writing Course, (2) the TWCF Technical Communication Course, and (3) the TWCF Grant Writing & Management Course. These hybrid courses will provide TWCF grantees with 24/7 access to over 90 hours of video-based On Demand programming, group-based live webinar coaching sessions every two weeks, and “Office Hour” sessions for grantees to receive 1-on-1 guidance.
Publication Academy’s courses will accelerate the pace at which discoveries move through the strategic pipeline by empowering TWCF grantees to successfully disseminate their project findings through academic publications (peer-reviewed journal articles, edited book chapters, conference presentations) and technical communications (social media and blog posts, digital newsletters, podcasts, press releases, and more). In addition, the courses will help support re-investment in currently funded projects by training grantees in how to find new external funding opportunities and then to write successful grant proposals.
The custom curricula developed for TWCF over the past two years have resulted in a significant increase in scholarly productivity across professions and cultural backgrounds. An analysis conducted in August 2021 found that participants in the TWCF Academic Writing Course tripled their total peer-reviewed publication output since the course was offered. Individual participants saw an increase of between 50% to over 500% in their rates of publication, with course completers consistently reporting that the programming contributed to achieving their personal goals and enhancing their professional expertise.
According to one grantee, a Professor of Education in El Salvador who completed the TWCF Academic Writing Course in 2021: “Before taking this course, I thought I understood how publication worked. Now having completed my Publication Academy course this year, I realize the gap in knowledge between what I thought I knew before and what actually must be done to get a paper published. The experience of having an instructor to ask advice from, the tips that he gave us, and the blueprints and exemplars that he provided us have really become essential in achieving my academic and professional goals.”
Media Contact
Ginger Tett (gingertett@publicationacademy.com)
Source: Publication Academy, Inc.
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Books deserve to be celebrated, and what better day to channel your inner bookworm than Read A Book Day, which takes place every year on September 6th. To help your little readers foster a true love for the written word, here are some fun books and products to make this day, and every day, a great time to read.
Perhaps the all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, every child loves The Hungry Caterpillar! A sturdy and beautiful book, and features interactive die-cut pages and is the perfect size for little hands. It’s great for teaching counting and days of the week.
A Day For Sandcastles is a clever wordless picture book that celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder after a day at the beach. The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day – and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and persistence – all without a word in this sun-warmed, salt-stained delight of a story.
The series Cat Kid Comic Club is perfect for new readers of chapter books. It’s a new graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of the internationally bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, and in this funny read Li’l Petey, Flippy, and Molly introduce twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs to the art of comic making. As the story unwinds with mishaps and hilarity, readers get to see the progress, mistakes, and improvements that come with practice and persistence.
The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess is another fun beginner novel. The Princess in Black and her friends are enjoying a day of sun and sea on Princess Sneezewort’s royal boat when a real, live mermaid princess emerges from the waves. Princess Posy needs their help protecting her very cute sea goats from being eaten by a very greedy kraken, but the princesses and the Goat Avenger quickly realize that fighting underwater can be tough for land dwellers, and only the mermaid Princess Posy can save the day. Can the masked heroes help her learn that being a princess means more than just being nice?
– Jennifer Cox
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Press Release
–
Jul 13, 2022
RESTON, Va., July 13, 2022 (Newswire.com)
–
Publication Academy is excited to announce its new contract to provide best-in-class online training for Fellows of the Global Good Fund, a nonprofit social enterprise that identifies high-potential business leaders who stand to achieve greater social impact with executive mentorship, professional coaching, and capital. Global Good Fund Fellows will receive access to their choice of Publication Academy’s over 50 video-based On Demand courses on publishing peer-reviewed research, grant writing, and technical communication. Each Publication Academy course has been carefully designed to meet evidence-based best practices in eLearning, resulting in programs proven to significantly increase scholarly productivity across professions, cultural backgrounds, and business verticals. Fellows will benefit from being taught by world-renowned publishing experts from prominent institutions including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, UPenn, NASA, the Smithsonian, PBS, and the Discovery Channel.
“We are delighted to partner with Publication Academy because of its ongoing and empirically supported efforts to help entrepreneurs grow their high-impact businesses through increased brand awareness as well as building the scholarly credibility of their products or services,” stated Danielle Kroo, Vice President of Operations for the Global Good Fund. Dr. Jay P. Singh, CEO & Founder of Publication Academy, said, “We are honored to have been selected by the Global Good Fund to upskill its outstanding fellows and support their mission of using entrepreneurship to solve key social issues.”
The benefits of business professionals enrolling in Publication Academy’s programs are supported by the latest market research, which has found:
Source: Publication Academy Inc.
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Press Release
–
Apr 27, 2022
SEATTLE, April 27, 2022 (Newswire.com)
–
Peeka, the world’s first platform for virtual reality (VR) children’s books and content, has teamed up with HarperCollins Children’s Books to bring beloved storybooks to life in virtual reality.
What’s in store?
Peeka’s fully immersive experiences use mobile phones and are accessible to families of all backgrounds. With a simple cardboard or plastic VR headset, families can jump into the pages of storybooks and let the stories happen to them.
Peeka’s studio in Seattle, WA, has already begun production on HarperCollins Children’s Books I Want to Be a Doctor by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, and will soon start preproduction on Zuri Ray Tries Ballet by Tami Charles, illustrated by Sharon Sordo, and the Christmas classic Peppermint Post by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. These experiences are slated to hit the Peeka app later this year.
Why is this important?
In a recent Project Tomorrow research survey, 75 percent of parents and 71 percent of teachers expressed that effective use of technology is very important for the future success of students in a post-pandemic world.
In a screen-dominated world, Peeka helps bring kids back to books and reading using devices they love, with content that’s comfortable and delightful for every family to dive into together.
Further, Peeka opens the doors to new mediums that publishers and authors can explore with their IP. For VR, this licensing deal fosters an understanding of how the VR ecosystem can contribute to building a love of book content.
Michael Wong, Peeka CEO, said: “I’m excited and honored to team up with HarperCollins in the wonderful world of immersive kids’ entertainment. This is a milestone for Peeka, and for the VR industry.”
Rachel Horowitz, Senior Director, Subsidiary Rights, HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “We are delighted that Peeka will be bringing three of HarperCollins Children’s Books titles to life in a new and innovative way, and we are excited to be in this space with them.”
ABOUT PEEKA
Peeka, a VR startup based in Seattle, WA, is the first and largest kid’s VR company, primarily focusing on picture book-related and other educational, kid-friendly content to help motivate children to find a passion for learning and reading. A majority of Peeka’s immersive content deals with important topics such as diversity, empathy, race, mindfulness, gender, and more. Find out more at peekavr.com.
ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, which is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 17 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and www.epicreads.com and HarperCollins Publishers at corporate.HarperCollins.com.
CONTACT: michael@peekavr.com
Source: Peeka
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