Origami Unicorn

Romance Takes a Tumble

Harlequin results for the first quarter fell twelve percent while profit fell fifteen percent. Parent company company Torstar cites "the strong publishing schedule a year ago" and also cites the shift in foreign exchange. Torstar is Canadian company and foreign exchange shifts ought to be impacting them less than US companies, the Canadian dollar being relatively strong versus the US.

S&S Has a Down Quarter

Simon & Schuster profits dropped for the second quarter, down twelve percent. Operating income took a slide of thirty-two percent. Sated reason: "best-selling titles...did not match contributions from prior year titles." The same thing happened last quarter.

The status of struggling Borders "is of concern." Conservative buying has meant fewer titles and fewer books for consumers to buy, raising the question of a vicious circle. The parent company is assisting in stocking decisions, based on their own information.

Although the company is moving ahead with digital initiatives, they are nowhere near becoming a source of profit, but more a long-term bet. However, the CBS-owned company is building its sales website, in a bid to capture some of the on-line market for books and other published materials. Its press releases reveal a strong intention to tie in their products with the people, features, and promotion by the broadcasting network.

Penguin, Quarto Make Gains

Penguin has made a strong start to the year and may achieve its stated goal for the year, double-digit profits, drive in part by demand in the US for its instructional materials and educational services.

Quarto sales rose twenty-two percent and operating profit did not quite double. “These results are very encouraging,” said chairman Laurence Orbach adding that sales were up across the board with the notable exception of its home improvement line.

"A Fine Line"

And speaking of animated objects, life can be hard when you're a pencil.

Nebula Award Winners

Novel: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Novella: "Fountain of Age" by Nancy Kress

Novelette: "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang

Short Story: "Always" by Karen Joy Fowler

Script: Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro

Also:

Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

Damon Knight Grand Master for 2008 is Michael Moorcock

Melisa Michaels and Graham P. Collins received the SFWA Service Award.

Ardath Mayhar the 2008 Author Emeritus.

SFWA Election Results

The results are in the for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America elections. Russell Davis, president; Elizabeth Moon, vice-president; Mary Robinette Kowal, Secretary; Amy Casil, Treasurer. The margins in all four contests were substantial. Bud Sparhawk will continue as Eastern Regional Director; Ian Whates will be the Overseas Director.

Disney Animates the Inanimate

The early years of animation were rift with people and things that moved in almost the same way. Disney quickly became the leader in the field in naturalistic movement, but one of the particular delights of the studio's work is how they bring inanimate objects to life. First, a cartoon from 1952, based on a popular children's book.

Then, from the same year, a different spin on the life and times of an inanimate object. This features the work of Ollie Johnston.

And finally, filled with references to many other films, "Be Our Guest," from Beauty and the Beast.

And they all have happy endings.

Tristram Ogilvie Cary OAM, 14 May 1925 – 24 April 2008

Tristram Ogilvie Cary, a British composer whose electronic style spanned everything from classical works to themes for shows like Quartermass and incidental music for Dr Who, died April 24th in Adelaide, South Australia.

Cassie Edwards and Signet Part Ways

The AP reports that Cassie Edwards and Signet have parted ways, with all rights to her books reverted to the author. The two other houses which publish her work, Dorchester and their imprint, Leisure Books, have yet to weigh in. Meanwhile, over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, they are toasting—in champagne—black-footed ferrets. This one isn't finished yet, although I feel sorry for whoever had to check references for Edwards' Signet-published books. Stay tuned.

The Story Tree

If you ever wonder where stories come from, here's the answer.