Rumors of Freeze Overstated

Widespread reports that Harcourt Houghton Mifflin had ceased purchasing new works for its many imprints caused a ripple through the industry last week, with many insiders speculating that the conglomerate might be heading for the block. Or worse.

However, a very good source inside the company has discovered for himself that the publishing giant’s reported freeze was completely overstated. From the Associated Press:

“I don’t work at the Harcourt offices so I called to find out if the story was true,” Otto Penzler, whose Otto Penzler Books specializes in mystery books and releases 6-8 titles per year, said Wednesday.

Penzler was referring to media stories alleging that Harcourt Houghton Mifflin (HMH) had temporarily stopped acquiring new books.

“I was told that it had been blown out of proportion and that there was simply some belt-tightening going on. I asked, ‘Does this mean I can keep buying books?’ ‘Absolutely,’ I was told.”

Penzler is the editor of Otto Penzler Books, an imprint at Harcourt. He is also the proprietor of the legendary Mysterious Bookshop in New York City.

READ MORE: “Everybody Calm Down,” by Abby Zidle (Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room).