Book publisher HarperCollins to lay off staff

[villager]

Source: Reuters

Book publisher HarperCollins to lay off staff

NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Book publisher HarperCollins, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp (NWSA.O), is laying off staff, offering buyouts and closing a division to save money as consumers cut their spending because of the financial crisis.

"Over the last several months, the unstable economy has had a significant impact on business and consumer spending," HarperCollins chief Brian Murray said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"Our industry is not immune to these market forces, and there is increasing pressure on us, along with our retail and wholesale partners, to adjust," he said.

The financial crisis, which is driving many people to spend less money on books and other optional purchases, is presenting new challenges to HarperCollins in the short term and may have lasting effects on the book industry, Murray said.

The publisher of books by such authors as Doris Lessing and Joyce Carol Oates did not say how many employees it would lay off. A spokeswoman said it was a small percentage, but declined to comment further.

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Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUKN1029153220090210

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I had a meeting with one of their editors set up for Friday. She was laid off today...

[T Wolf]

1. My daughter graduated from NYU with a degree in the field and cannot find a hint of a job.

Jobs offers rescinded. No new hiring. And now layoffs.

That is a tough way to start out "adult" life. Now working part-time in a book store for minimum wage.

Oh well, who needs books, anyway?

[villager]

2. books are too dangerous, anyway..

Ask any Republican...