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Book publishers are gathering in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual Book Expo America amid one of the more gloomy publishing environments in years.
Two major publishers, Random House and Warner Books, have been hit with fabrication scandals in recent months.
Publishing database Web site Bowker reported that there were more new book titles sold in Great Britain last year - 206,000 new titles, an increase of 28 percent - than in the United States -172,000 new titles, a decrease of 18 percent.
General adult fiction and children's books both showed double-digit declines in new titles, Bowker found.
But publishers were still putting on a bright face at the annual Book Expo America powwow, trying to create excitement with new book deals while showcasing star authors to the independent booksellers.
Tim Russert was slated to open the show last night. His latest book is "Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons."
The Knopf unit of Random House, which kicked off the BEA two years ago in Chicago by showcasing President Bill Clinton and his "My Life," just announced another Clinton tome.
The imprint that is part of Bertelsmann is believed to have forked over another seven-figure advance for Clinton for a book about citizen activism slated to be out in late 2007 or early 2008.
And Mitch Albom, author of the mega-bestselling "Tuesdays with Morrie," is expected to discuss his new book due out from new publisher Hyperion today.
Warner Books said it has signed country singer Gretchen Wilson - whose hit debut album is "Here for the Party" - for a book, "I'll tell You What a Redneck Woman Is."
Copyright 2004 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
