May Bookstore Sales Jumped 130% (publisahersweekly.com)

Fourth Quarter 2017 Results: • Record gross revenue was $301.0 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of 11% compared with $270.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. • Gross profit (net revenue) was $71.3 million, or 23.7% of gross revenue, in the fourth quarter, an increase of 4% compared to $68.7 million, or 25.4% of revenue, in the same period of 2016. Full-Year 2017 Results and Recent Highlights: • Gross revenue was $1,136.3 million in 2017, an increase of 4% compared with $1,090.7 million in 2016. • Gross profit (net revenue) was $278.3 million, or 24.5% of gross revenue, in 2017, a 6% increase compared to $263.5 million, or 24.2% of revenue, in 2016. • Net income in 2017 was $19.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to $4.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.

Simon & Schuster president and CEO Jonathan Karp has acquired a new book to be written by veteran investigative reporter and bestselling author Bob Woodward and fellow Washington Post political reporter Robert Costa. The book will examine the last days of the Trump presidency and the beginning of the Biden administration. Woodward and Costa were represented by Robert Barnett, who negotiated the deal with Karp. S&S acquired world, audio, and first series rights to the book. Karp will also edit the book, which is untitled and has no publication date.

Academic Partnerships (“AP”), a company that assists primarily regional public universities in expanding access and impact by supporting their online programs, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wiley University Services, a line of business owned by Wiley (NYSE: WLY). The combined company will support over 125 colleges and universities in 40 U.S. states and internationally. AP primarily assists regional public universities with launching and maintaining their online programs. It is committed to expanding access to high-quality, high-return on investment, affordable, and workforce-relevant online education, especially for working and adult students. Wiley University Services works with institutions to deliver career-connected education programs aimed at helping students achieve their goals. Following the closing of the transaction, the combined company will provide universities with a best-in-class partner to support them in delivering programs online so more students can access affordable education, improve their careers, and meet employer and community needs.