January 19, 2016

Scholastic halts distribution of children’s book about George Washington’s enslaved cook, or as they call him: “the first celebrity chef in America”

The New York Times’s Liam Stack reports that following “outcry over its visual depiction of the former president’s slaves as happy, smiling workers,” Scholastic Publishing has announced that they will stop distribution of A… Read more »

Academic publishing

Northwestern University Press names new director — Alyea Canada
Very old snack found in even older book — Tom Clayton
Derogatory dictionary debated; Brits bashed for bigotry — Mike Lindgren
Readers protest outdated dictionary entries; "What's the matter with being sexy," asks UK honcho — Mike Lindgren

“Long live Anne Frank, long live the public domain”

Taylor Sperry

In November we wrote about the controversy regarding Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, which, while indisputably protected by copyright in the United States until at least 2047, might… Read more »

Penguin Random House to eliminate degree requirement for future applicants

Simon Reichley

According to a report by Sally Weale at The Guardian, Penguin Random House is eliminating its degree requirement for all future job applicants. The decision is part of an effort to promote educational… Read more »

On sale today: The Deep Sea Diver’s Syndrome by Serge Brussolo

Melville House

Serge Brussolo might be the most famous writer you’ve never heard of. He’s as prolific as Stephen King, as brilliantly, disturbingly imaginative as Philip K. Dick and J. G. Ballard,… Read more »

Melville House Books