Today's New York Times has a charming account of the dinner held last week to celebrate Bob Loomis's 50th anniversary as an editor at Random House. Several of his authors commented on the legendary editor's "almost" technique of editing. For example, after telling Jim Lehrer that one of his manuscripts was wonderful, he paused to allow Lehrer to enjoy the compliment, then said, "except for the space between beginning and the ending."

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More details about Perseus's offer to PGW publishers of 70% of monies frozen by the AMS bankruptcy, a deal that must be approved by publishers and the bankruptcy court:

• Perseus and AMS have reached a deal for Perseus to make the offer to PGW publishers and to acquire "substantially all of the distribution contracts of PGW."
• Perseus will pay PGW's operating costs for "a five-month transition period following closing," during which PGW would continue offering its fulfillment services. After that, titles would be transferred to Perseus's warehouse in Jackson, Tenn.
• While the future of PGW staff remains uncertain, Perseus president and CEO David Steinberger commented in the announcement of the deal: "We admire PGW's organization and the PGW team.  Our high regard for them will be a key factor in our planning as we move forward."

AMS, Avalon and Grove/Atlantic have agreed to the Perseus deal. 

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In a novel arrangement, on February 1, A Novel View, the used bookstore in Anchorage, Alaska, is moving into space in the Cook Inlet Book Co., where the two stores will maintain separate businesses but share floor space. A Novel View owner Pat Tegtmeier noted that each store "will offer its unique business specialty under a non-competitive, complementary agreement." A Novel View began in 2001, when Tegtmeier bought Gulliver's Used Books. Cook Inlet Book Co. sells new and used books.

A Novel View's new address will be 415 W. Fifth Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99501. It may be reached at 907-278-0084 or anovelview@msn.com. Its Web site is www.homestead.com/anovelview.

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Bookstore for sale: Jon and Joni Minier, owners for 10 years of the Island Bookseller on Hilton Head Island, S.C., want to sell the store and retire, according to the Hilton Head Island Packet. The 1,400-sq.-ft. store has been in business for 24 years and has healthy sales. "There is a loyal cadre of Sea Pines people who just love this store," Minier told the paper. Sale price is $10,000 plus the cost of inventory at the time of sale.

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In recent months, Sourcebooks has opened an office in New York City, which is managed by executive editor Hillel Black. Children's book acquisitions editor Lyron Bennett also works at this location. In addition, Sourcebooks has taken 20% more space at its Naperville, Ill., headquarters, space that will be devoted to, among other things, a new marketing department for the company's children's imprint, Jabberwocky.

Sourcebooks has also made appointments and promotions:

• Peter Alfini has joined Sourcebooks as director of sales. He was formerly president of Dogs in Hats Children's Publishing. Before that, he was v-p of sales for School Zone Publishing; director of bookstore sales for Golden Books; and sales & marketing manager for John Muir Publications (now a part of Avalon). He began his career at Random House Children's Publishing.
• Tom Galvin has joined Sourcebooks as national accounts manager for Borders and Waldenbooks. He formerly worked as director of national accounts for Health Communications and as national accounts manager at DK Publishing.
• Marty Wronkiewicz has joined Sourcebooks as national accounts manager for mass market and gift accounts, selling to Costco, Sam's Clubs, CVS and Walgreen's, among others. She was formerly national accounts manager for Avalanche and early worked in children's publishing sales for Publications International.
• Liz Otte, previously an account coordinator with the Gift Group, has been promoted to key accounts manager, Trade Group, where she will be responsible for wholesale accounts and library sales, including Baker & Taylor.

Several hundred people met yesterday in Westford, Mass., and shared heartfelt and often humorous stories about Rusty Drugan, the longtime executive director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association who died December 7. Among those who spoke were booksellers, publishers, reps, a fellow member of the Cambridge, Mass., election commission, a college classmate, friends, even a tenant (who made Drugan sound like a dream landlord).

Many speakers praised Drugan's intellect and love of learning, which helped make him extremely well-read and a wonderful conversationalist. Suzanne Sigman, a past president of NEIBA, noted, "I never finished a conversation with him feeling we had nothing left to say. I always wanted to go another one or four hours." In a similar vein, retired rep Ralph Woodward lauded Drugan's "penetrating intelligence" and said that during Drugan's bookselling days, "I called on him early every season to see what I had to sell."

As a Republican in a very Democratic town and a very Democratic industry, Drugan frequently disagreed with people about one of his many passions, politics, but he was always polite. As Ruth Liebmann of Random House said, "Rusty loved a civilized argument."

Drugan's reverence for following processes led him to join the Election Commission and to aspire to a certain procedural standard during association meetings. NEIBA president Allan Schmid commented, "Rusty, wherever you are, I promise I will get a copy of Robert's Rules of Order." (Schmid added that the board is approving a scholarship in Drugan's name to enable a bookseller or candidate bookseller to attend NEIBA's trade show. "Rusty knew about this and was very thrilled," Schmid said.)

In case anyone thought Drugan acted differently in other parts of his life, Darleen Bonislawski, a member of the Election Commission, said that Drugan cut a similar figure in his election work. He considered the activities of the Commission "a sacred duty to insure the fairness and integrity of the election system" and was "very dedicated and diligent," she said. He fit in "perfectly because there are no shrinking violets on the board." She also noted his dry wit and said, "He could zing you with that wit. He especially liked zinging the Democrats on the Commission."

Drugan was honored as a defender of free speech. As Oren Teicher, COO of the American Booksellers Association, noted, "Rusty really believed in that sentence in the Bill of Rights that 'Congress shall make no law' about free speech." Teicher called him "a true libertarian in the best sense of the word" and said that "in honor of him we should recommit ourselves to the good fight--and never to yield." Chris Finan of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression called Drugan "one of the most militant defenders of free speech" on the board of ABFFE. (In typical fashion, Drugan was the only person who pronounced the organization's acronym ab-fuh rather than ab-fee.) "He was a comrade in arms and a good friend," Finan added.

His love of privacy--and his modesty--were also mentioned. Even Ron Brown, a longtime dear friend who works at the Cambridge Public Library, recalled that "it took three or four years to learn that Rusty was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and it took reading his obituary to learn that he won the Exeter College Academic Award while he was at Oxford."

Drugan's dedication to booksellers and to NEIBA impressed several speakers. New executive director Steve Fischer said, "As private as Rusty was, his devotion to NEIBA is here for everyone to see." And Ruth Liebmann of Random House said she learned early on when discussing trade show matters with him that Drugan's only agenda was "what was best for booksellers and books."

Drugan was praised for being a caring, supportive person. As Suzanne Sigman, the former NEIBA president, noted, "One of his strengths besides not becoming angry was to make his colleagues look good. He always called me 'my president' and the board 'my board.' " Likewise Liebmann said he had a way of "saving you from yourself"--acting as a moderating influence again and again.

Drugan could also organize and motivate. Carole Horne of the Harvard Bookstore, Cambridge, Mass., called Drugan "a dear friend and mentor and the person responsible for me getting involved in bookselling outside the four walls of the store." She remembered him "inviting" her to join the association's advisory board with a long talk about the value of contributing to society and the value of that contribution to both society and the contributor. A few people in the crowd who apparently had been "invited" to do NEIBA work laughed or sighed sympathetically. Horne praised Drugan's "spirit of sharing" and said "the best way to remember him is to continue to support the communal efforts of booksellers."

His style impressed many. John Netzer of the Concord Bookshop, Concord, Mass., remembered working for Drugan at Reading International in the 1970s and conjured an indelible image: "I can still see him stacking remainders with a cigarette in one hand and a coffee-stained mug nearby. He may even have been wearing bell bottoms." Drugan, he added, was "a wonderful boss and a brilliant manager. He was a great listener and made you feel valued, appreciated and important."

Many people referred to Drugan's enjoyment of fine food, the way he lingered happily over a drink and his fondness for a smoke. At the end of the service, a motion to adjourn for a drink and some food was made, seconded and passed unanimously. Drugan surely would have approved of both the reason for the adjournment and the procedures followed.--John Mutter

This morning on the Today Show: Terry McAuliffe shows up for What a Party!: My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators and Other Wild Animals (Thomas Dunne Books, $24.95, 9780312357870/0312357877). McAuliffe also appears today on NPR's Fresh Air and Larry King Live.

Also on the Today Show: Stacie Cockrell and Cathy O'Neill offer advice from Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows (Collins, $24.95, 9780061173547/0061173541).

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Today the Rachael Ray Show will have a book segment featuring Dr. Timothy Brantley, author of The Cure: Heal Your Body, Save Your Life (Wiley, $24.95, 9780471768258/0471768251). He will make several more calls on the show in February. (This appearance had been scheduled for yesterday but was postponed.)

Also on the Rachael Ray Show, Rupert Everett dishes about his memoir, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins (Warner, $25.99, 9780446579636/0446579637).

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Today on the Martha Stewart Show, it's all about wedding planning with Darcy Miller, author of Our Wedding Scrapbook (Collins, $24.95, 9780060735210/006073521X), and Preston Bailey, author of Inspirations (Bulfinch, $45, 9780821258170/0821258176) and Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings (Bulfinch, $45, 9780821228692/0821228692).

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Today on WAMU's Diane Rehm Show: Richard Clarke, whose second thriller is Breakpoint (Putnam, $25.95, 9780399153785/0399153780).

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Today on NPR's All Things Considered: Norman Mailer on The Castle in the Forest (Random House, $27.95, 9780394536491/0394536495), his tale about Adolf Hitler's childhood.

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Tonight on Inside Edition: Allison Samuels shares insider secrets from Off the Record: A Reporter Unveils the Celebrity Worlds of Hollywood, Hip-hop, and Sports (Amistad, $24.95, 9780061137662/0061137669).

The Caldecott, Newbery, King and Printz awards were announced yesterday at the American Library Association midwinter meeting in Seattle.

• The Newbery went to The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phelan (S&S/Richard Jackson).
• The Caldecott went to Flotsam illustrated by David Wiesner (Clarion).
• The Printz went to American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (First Second/Roaring Brook Press).
• The Coretta Scott King Author Book winner was Copper Sun by Sharon Draper (S&S/Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
• The Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book winner was Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Carole Boston Weatherford (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children). 
  

For a full list of honor book winners and other ALA book awards, visit the ALA's Web site.

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In other major ALA award news, Unshelved's Pimp My Bookcart contest drew more than 100 entries. The Grand Prize winner is Pink Cadillac, submitted by Katie George and the teens of the Miller Branch Library in Ellicot City, Md. Judges' comments included: "It's a simple design, just cow horns, headlights, sleek vinyl book seats and (vaguely disturbing) tailfins, but it was executed perfectly and very pinkly, and we couldn't take our eyes off it."

Check out the grand prize winner and three runners up here and honorable mentions here.
 
 

This is the first of several articles about ways in which independent bookstores are promoting Valentine's Day—eclectic title selections, innovative sidelines, adults-only events and more. February 14 isn't solely about hearts and flowers anymore.

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Valentine's Day promotions began early at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif. "We set up Valentines Day on December 26, and things have been selling steadily since day one," said merchandising manager Anne Edkins. "We continue to add to all of our display areas as new books and merchandise arrive."

Vroman's has several displays devoted to Valentine's Day titles and products--a large window display, the wall behind the register and a highly-trafficked area near a staircase in the two-level store. Along with books, customers can choose from an array of sidelines ranging from practical to just plain fun. Light-up Love Dice, perhaps? Also on hand are soaps and body lotions in Rose and Forget-Me-Not scents from Carol Wilson Fine Arts, Design Design cupid hankies, Papyrus' sequin heart boa pens and lip-shaped magnets from Ganz.

Book selections on display range from heartwarming to risqué to humorous, among them:

• 50 Dates Worse than Yours by Justin Racz
• A Collection of Sexy Quotes edited by Michèle Brown
• The Fantasy Book: A Pillow Book of Romantic Fantasies by Gary Silver and David Russell
• Forever in Love: A Celebration of Love and Romance by June Cotner
• A Gorgeous Sense of Hope: A Love Fable by Emma Magenta
• How to Behave: Dating & Sex: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged by Caroline Tiger
• Kiss Like a Star: Smooching Secrets from the Silver Screen by William Cane
• The Lingerie Handbook by Rebecca Apsan with Sarah Stark
• Socrates in Love: Philosophy for a Passionate Heart by Christopher Phillips

Edkin's favorite Valentine's Day pick is Couples: Found Photos by Roger Handy and Karin Elsener. "It's a wonderful little book," she said, "a collection of anonymous vintage photos of people in love." Backlist titles receiving a holiday boost at Vroman's include The Best Places to Kiss in Southern California: A Romantic Travel Guide by Bonnie Steele and Michael Beaumier's I Know You're Out There: Private Longings, Public Humiliations, and Other Tales from the Personals.

A display with the moniker "Love Is in the Air" features young adult novels. In the Cards: Love by Mariah Fredericks, If We Kiss by Rachel Vail and Barry Lyga's The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl are front and center with books from Sarra Manning's Diary of a Crush series and other YA tomes. For youngsters, the children's department is hosting a Valentine's Day party on February 10 with crafts and snacks.

The first week in February, Edkins sets up an "anti-Valentine" endcap that features books on topics like being happily single and recovering from a broken heart. One title receiving prominent placement on the endcap will be Better Single than Sorry: A No-Regrets Guide to Loving Yourself and Never Settling by Jen Schefft, star of the TV show the Bachelorette, who is appearing at Vroman's for an event on February 7.

Whether customers are single, sorry, or madly in love, Valentine's Day sales should be sweet for Vroman's. After Christmas and Halloween, it's the store's third bestselling holiday.--Shannon McKenna

Selected titles with a pub date of next Tuesday, January 30:

The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry (Ballantine, $25.95, 9780345485755/0345485750). The latest thriller by the author of The Templar Legacy once again combines ancient history and modern intrigue.

Allegiance by Timothy Zahn (Del Rey, $25.95, 9780345477385/0345477383). A new Star Wars epic featuring Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo.

Deep Storm by Lincoln Child (Doubleday, $24.95, 9780385515504/0385515502). Child's latest adventure tale takes place in a top-secret research facility located on the ocean floor.

Hide by Lisa Gardner (Bantam, $25, 9780553804324/0553804324). A new novel of suspense from the bestselling author of Alone and Gone.

On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Raymond Obstfeld (S&S, $26, 9781416534884/1416534881). Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar explores the impact the Harlem Renaissance had on both American culture and his own life.


Out in paperback on Tuesday, January 30:

Most Likely to Die by Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton and Wendy Corsi Staub (Zebra, $7.99, 9780821775769/0821775766). Three bestselling authors join forces to create a chilling novel of murder and revenge.