Another shoe is dropping in the industry this morning. Following last week’s earnings report, Publishers Lunch (subscription) is reporting that HarperCollins is closing the Collins division that had grown quickly under publisher Steve Ross, and folding the imprints into Morrow and HarperCollins. This also means, of course, layoffs.
Ugh. Really, really to sorry everyone over there who is affected.
UPDATE: Children’s imprint Bowen Press is closing as well. Ugh.
I agree with INK and Wanda B. — I don’t like the new method of commenting. It kind of spoils the experience. If you have such a close vote, doesn’t that say something? The experience of sifting through the comments was more fun the old way; the new way sucks. It’s your blog, but isn’t listening to all your followers a consideration, too? Did the old way of responding to comments take you any more time? So is there any other reason to change it other than your personal preference? Hm-m-m-m. There’s not much about the economy that hasn’t already been said. When is the cutoff for the vote on the comments, or has the result been decided?
Oh, I see I was a little late. Well I may get used to it, but I still think it sucks.
Vancouver Dame-
Um. Listening to my readers is why I had the vote, which is basically completely evenly split. Can’t please everyone.
Vancouver Dame @ 2:54-
Um. Way to be polite about it, considering 50% people disagree.
That’s awful for all the people losing their jobs.
And this is not a smartass question I’m really serious here. Is HarperCollins going to continue to be called that, or are they going to just be “Harper?”
I hadn’t realized there was a distinct Collins division, so without Collins, I’m wondering if they’ll still retain the blended name or not.
zoewinters-
They’ll still be HarperCollins. Harper and Collins merged a while back, but the Collins Division was formed relatively recently as a way of sort of resurrecting that tradition with nonfiction. Even then, though, the imprint HarperCollins still functioned with that name as did the parent company, and both still will.
the following is solely intended as devil’s advocacy:
Well, I think the votes need to be weighted – people who vote for the new system may never have known the old system and thus would vote for the new system b/c that is the only system they know… Thus, to be fair, new votes should only count as 80%…thus tipping the scales to the old system 🙂
That being said, people who prefer old systems usually find new systems preferable once they’ve used them long enough, so perhaps those voting for the old system who aren’t familiar enough with the new system should be discounted, too because their system experience is limited in scope, too…
anon-
Honestly I think there’s more tendency to vote for what you’re used to, particularly with the “cold dead hands” book crowd!
I would have bowed to popular wishes, but I find this system so much more efficient. And besides — if you want to follow a thread, just click “subscribe by e-mail.” No scanning needed.
All heart breaking. I hope all those displaced by this do well.
I feel terrible for those people who are getting laid off…I know what its like from personal experience, and remain hopeful for it to change. And it will.
And can I just say… now more than ever, out in the world and right here in Nathan’s corner of the Blogosphere, people… things are changin’… Embrace it, what else can we do ??
I am new to the blog…I am not, perhaps, as entitled to weigh in, being that I only had the ‘old’ system of commenting for a short time. However, there is nothing wrong with the new system…its not better or worse, just different, and I can learn to live with that.
I have opinions on alot of things, but how we all comment and sift through comments is not one of the greatest importance… just sayin’..
Nathan – Great, great blog. As someone hoping to be published one day, I have found your blog a veritable mountain of information. Thanks for everything…
It’s really Nathan’s blog and he should be able to choose what he prefers.
I think Nathan’s right, we’ll manage. I’m already getting used to it, actually.
And this is not to start trouble, believe me, but I did notice that I was the last commenter at one point last night, and the vote swung fairly dramatically to “new” format until it landed square on 50-50. There were no new comments, just new votes. While it’s entirely possible that regular visitors who comment just decided to drop by, vote, and leave after reading. Or, some readers who don’t comment, evened the score. Maybe some folks came back later after thinking about it, dunno. But it’s not out of the question to suggest that there were just random folks stopping by, deleting cookies, and playing games. I was in an online battle of the bands once, and I definitely learned that Internet voting can be fun for the whole family. Nathan may have more info on who stopped by, but I thought it was interesting.
Anyway, if the stimulus package can make more jobs, that means more books being sold. That said, I think I’m about to start pushing my two from my blog as I work on my next one. I’ll sell them at a low, low price for download, and a slightly higher price for a printed copy and start bird-dogging the web. If I can get a following, then maybe I can get some attention.
Yay, Capitalism! 🙂
I feel compelled (sorry, Nathan) to say I only voted and didn’t comment. I rarely, if ever comment, but I read every single day.
I’m sure I’m not the only one, either. *smiles*
On topic, I will say I feel terrible for everyone who was laid off. My own husband was laid off a couple of weeks ago…scary times.
Oh, how awful! I loved Collins. They had such great reference books and the design books were really cool as well.
I know to some extent that consolidation can be a healthy thing, but my sense is, at some point you start cutting into muscle and bone, and I wonder if we’re there yet?
Keep in mind – the new format doesn’t mean NB likes the people who voted for it better than those who didn’t…or thinks they are better writers…it’s not personal…no reflection on anybody’s writing abilities, etc…
Nathan, you’re right. Must have lost my manners somewhere. I’m glad that you do us the favor of keeping your blog current, and provide us with great info and lively discussions. Point taken. I’m practicing already using this new format.
Wanda – really?
I was sort of thinking that people who voted the way I did about the blog were good, and those that voted the other way were evil….
You’re sort of confusing me with this nothing personal stuff.
Sigh. Life is so complicated.
Interesting New York Times article about the restructuring of HarperCollins which is a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation: Article, “Harper Collins Lays Off 2 Top Executives”, by Motoko Rich. Looks like News Corporation lost money due to a number of things, including possibly having paid too much for ownership of the Wall Street Journal: New York Times article, “News Corp. Loss Shows Trouble at Dow Jones”, by Tim Arango.
Really interesting article about possible sweeping changes coming to print news, including New York Times possibly going totally digital, ending print production, and Rupert Murdosch’s interest in buying the New York Times: “End Times” article by Michael Hirschorn in The Atlantic.
I imagine that Rupert Murdoch who owns a vast media empire in several countries will restructure a number of his businesses and purchase new ones as the economy goes through changes.
Sorry Mira 🙂
Oh, Wanda, that’s okay. After all, what are writers for, if not to expand our horizons beyond the good and evil of blog layout?
Emotional growth is soooo difficult, but I’m sure I will be a better person for it.
🙂
It’s not over. As a writer, I’m going to keep writing. Keep hoping!
Don’t look now, Colorado. I hear they’re shutting down the dictionary and firing words. It just might be over, actually. 😉
Seriously, what more can you do but write and try other ways to get your work and name out there. I’m considering self-publishing again and bringing a stack of books with me onto a NYC street corner with my guitar. I’ll play and see if I can sell a few. Maybe tell a few jokes. I’ll stop short of the sandwich board, though.
Thanks, Nathan! I’m glad they’re retaining the name. It wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t.
I think the message here is that writers can forget about getting an agent or a major publisher for at least a couple of years.
Nathan: Have you checked how to sign up for food stamps? Working on commission, can you even collect unemployment? Times are definitely tough.
I think the message I’m getting is that self-pubbing is a good thing right now.
I am sad to hear about Harper Collins. I guess the wave of financial woes continue.