Dec 20th, 2008 · Big publishing companies such as Random House are in the midst of cost-cutting, layoffs, and corporate restructuring. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has stopped acquiring manuscripts for the rest of this year. Host Scott Simon speaks to Charlotte Abbott, contributing editor for Publishers Weekly, about the woes of the book industry in the the thick of the holiday-shopping season.
Sep 5th, 2008 · Independent publisher Beaufort Books agrees to publish The Jewel of Medina after Random House backs out. Random House had feared Sherry Jones' historical novel about the Prophet Mohammed and his wife, Aisha, could be offensive to Muslims.
Dec 6th, 2006 · Vintage Books, a division of Random House, is publishing the Iraq Study Group's report on U.S. strategy in Iraq. Like some other notable official documents, including the report on the Sept. 11 attacks, it may become a surprise sales hit.
May 28th, 2005 · Members of the New York-based band Songs from a Random House, an eclectic combo featuring two ukuleles, a viola and a string bass, join Scott Simon for a live performance and chat.