An update to our earlier story about Bertelsmann taking sole control of Bookspan:
We now have word that Bertelsmann is starting a major overhaul of its book club business. Part of this move will be eliminating almost 300 positions (which is about 15% of its workforce), and closing or merging several of the smaller clubs. Bertelsmann spokesperson Paula Batson said these moves “will enable the company to focus its assets and efforts on its core book club brands such as Book-of-the-Month, Doubleday, Black Expressions, Crossings, and The Literary Guild, as well as its music and book club businesses.” She did not provide a complete list of the clubs being closed, but some of those under the ax include American Compass, InsightOut Book Club, Behavioral Science Book Service, Early Childhood Teachers’ Club, Nurse’s Book Society, and Equestrian’s Edge.
Andrew Wheeler, of the Science Fiction Book Club, reports that he has been “conclusively told that I am not being laid off. Others, unfortunately, will be—including some people very close to me. I think I can be more specific later, but, for now, all I can say is: not me. And the SFBC is continuing.”
Ellen Asher is being let go through early retirement. See new story at this link.
Check back for more updates as we get them.
Click here for update on 24 May at 1PM EDT.