BTW News Briefs

ABA, BEA Team with Toy Industry Association

The American Booksellers Association and BookExpo America have teamed with the Toy Industry Association to give both the book and toy markets an opportunity to see what one another has to offer.

The annual American International Toy Fair, running February 16–19, 2014, and BookExpo America, to be held May 28–31, 2014, will be cross-promoted to both the toy and book industries through advertising, direct mail campaigns, and show admission privileges.

“The new relationship between BookExpo and Toy Fair is mutually beneficial for audiences at both shows, offering booksellers access to unique items they will only find at Toy Fair and the same for toy retailers who will have access to the latest titles and unique publishers that are only at BEA,” said BEA Event Director Steven Rosato.

Toy Industry Association is a nonprofit trade association that represents businesses involved in the toy and youth entertainment industry.

Mystery Writers of America Names Crais, Hart as Grand Masters

On Wednesday, Mystery Writers of America (MWA) named authors Robert Crais and Carolyn Hart its 2014 Grand Masters for their achievements in mystery writing, as well as their contributions to the genre. The award will be presented at the Edgar Awards Banquet in New York City on May 1, 2014. Previous Grand Masters include Graham Greene, Sue Grafton, Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, and Agatha Christie.

Aunt Agatha’s bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was named the recipient of the 2014 Raven Award for outstanding achievements in the mystery field outside of writing. As an independent mystery bookstore, Aunt Agatha’s carries a selection of new and used mysteries, detective, and crime books and helped in founding the Kerrytown Bookfest, which celebrates authors and readers alike.

Staff Changes at Penguin Random House

Dick Heffernan, Penguin Group president of adult hardcover and children’s sales, will be retiring at the end of this year, according to a company announcement released on Wednesday. Heffernan began working as a sales rep at Doubleday in 1974, moving up to his current role in 1996.

John Lawton, vice president, director of national accounts for Penguin’s adult hardcover division, will be promoted to senior vice president, director of adult hardcover sales for Penguin Group, effective January 2. He will report to Madeline McIntosh, Penguin Random House president and COO. Lawton joined Putnam in 1996 and was previously with Barnes & Noble.

Legislation to Limit Book Discounts Faces Opposition in Quebec

Legislation to set the maximum discount price of books at 10 percent in Quebec is expected to be tabled by the government next year, reported Canada.com. The Coalition for Quebec’s future, the dominant party in the legislature, has said that it does not support the law.

The bill proposes to set the retailer discount option on print and digital books at a maximum 10 percent for the first nine months after publishing. The discount may be raised after that time. After three years in effect, the legislation would be evaluated to determine if it should be extended.