September 7, 2025

Power Plays

This week, Barnes & Noble filed to purchase Books Inc., the oldest indie bookstore in the western U.S., which declared bankruptcy earlier this year. In Washington, D.C., indie bookstores have been fighting a different battle, as the Trump administration’s militarization of the city is driving away would-be customers. FSG Books for Young Readers has named its next editorial director, Nancy Conescu, who was most recently publisher at Australia’s Berbay Books. Wiley reported $29 million in AI licensing revenue in Q1 thanks to its collaborations with Anthropic and other tech companies. And longtime Consortium president Julie Schaper announced plans to retire next year.

Lisa Gardner (center l.) celebrated the newest novel in her Frankie Elkin series, Kiss Her Goodbye (Grand Central), with an event with White Birch Books at Ledge Brewery in Conway, N.H. Joining Gardner was White Birch owner Laura Cummings (center r.) and dozens of fans.
(Courtesy of the author)

B&N Agrees to Acquire Books Inc.

The Bay Area indie bookseller is seeking bankruptcy court approval to be acquired by Barnes & Noble for $3.25 million after filing for voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 in January. Books Inc. will close one location, keep nine locations open, and retain its brand identity. more

Bookstores Contend with National Guard Presence in Washington, D.C.

The Trump administration’s takeover of policing in Washington, D.C., last month is impacting sales and foot traffic to varying degrees at indie bookstores across the city. Sales are up at suburban stores, but booksellers fear the long-term impact upon tourism. more

Nancy Conescu to Helm FSG Books for Young Readers

Nancy Conescu, most recently publisher at Australia’s Berbay Books, will join FSG Books for Young Readers as editorial director. She’s expected to start her role at FSG in the coming months after relocating back to the U.S from Australia. Conescu previously held positions at Penguin Young Readers and Little, Brown before moving to Australia in 2016, where she joined Walker Books Australia. She’s expected to start her role at FSG in the coming months after relocating back to the U.S. more

Wiley Touts AI Strengths in First Quarter Report

The publisher said it had executed a “landmark AI licensing project with a large tech company” and struck a “strategic partnership with Anthropic” in the period; it reported $29 million in AI licensing revenue in Q1. CEO Matthew Kissner noted that Wiley is currently “expanding AI innovation across our product portfolio.” more

More News

JobZone

SEND US TIPS

SUBMIT A PHOTO

SUBMIT JOB MOVES

Send editorial questions about this newsletter to John Maher.
Send advertising questions about this e-newsletter to Joe Murray.

For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.

Publishers Weekly,
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Get your own FREE newsletter subscriptions.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

You are receiving this email because npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl subscribed to one of Publishers Weekly's newsletters. If you are not npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl, then please disregard this message. Update your newsletter preferences here.

PW takes spam very seriously. This email message meets all the requirements of the United States CAN-SPAM Act and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). To remove yourself from the Must Reads email list, unsubscribe.