Since Tuesday—when we first announced the major changes affecting the Bookspan book clubs now owned by Bertelsmann, especially the Science Fiction Book Club, and then later announced Senior Editor Ellen Asher’s impending early retirement—rumors have flown rapidly about other changes.
Editor Andrew Wheeler, who had been with the SFBC for nearly a decade and a half, is no longer at his extension within the company. His voice mail now gives his cell phone number, though he is unable to comment on any changes. Additionally, the SFBC’s daily blog, which Wheeler had been maintaining, has not been updated since Tuesday.
BMG/Columbia House Senior Vice President of Communications Paula Batson could not comment on any individual personnel questions, though she did tell SFScope that “SFBC is not closing.” When asked, she said that she knows of no changes to previously announced SFBC publishing schedules.
Batson did provide this statement: “As part of the integration of Bookspan and BMG Columbia House, the company has announced a reorganization of its book club businesses. A number of small, specialized clubs will either be combined with another book club or phased out by the end of 2007. This realignment 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 DVD club businesses. Approximately 280 employees in the company’s Garden City, Long Island and Manhattan locations will be impacted by the restructuring.”
More news when we have it.
31 May update: A new editor has been hired. See this article.
21 September update: Andrew Wheeler has landed a new gig. See this article.