Publisher Penguin pulls the plug on its Australian cookbook imprint
July 25, 2015 by DarciePenguin Random House’s Lantern imprint has published top selling cookbooks from a veritable Who’s Who of Australian food writers and chefs from David Thompson to Kylie Kwong. Despite the success of books like Stephanie Alexander’s The Cook’s Companion, Penguin announced that it is shutting down the Lantern cookbook division in 2016.
Lantern was created by Julie Gibbs, its publishing director, just over ten years ago. Gibbs will depart at the end of this year. The imprint was known for its opulent design that won many international awards. CEO Gabrielle Coyne said the changing retail environment is to blame for Lantern’s demise. “The prevailing market conditions mean there is no longer the retail footprint there once was to support the number of illustrated books in our future 2016 and 2017 programme,” she said.
The publisher was also embroiled in controversy over author Belle Gibson’s cookbook, The Whole Pantry. Earlier this year, details about Gibson falsifying her illness emerged, causing the publisher to pull the book. Lantern’s demise signals the “end of the golden era” for cookbook publishers.
Categories
- All Posts (6626)
- Antipasto (1990)
- Author Articles (241)
- Book News (919)
- Cookbook Giveaways (947)
- Cookbook Lovers (247)
- Cooking Tips (97)
- Culinary News (298)
- Food Biz People (538)
- Food Online (758)
- Holidays & Celebrations (258)
- New Cookbooks (140)
- Recipes (1444)
- Shelf Life With Susie (231)
- What's New on EYB (129)
Archives
Latest Comments
- elysedc on Cook Simply, Live Fully – Cookbook Giveaway
- elysedc on Pizza Night and Emile Henry Pizza Stone Giveaway
- Zephyrness on How important is the recipe’s photo?
- demomcook on Cook Simply, Live Fully – Cookbook Giveaway
- elysedc on Anything’s Pastable and Pasta Giveaway
- elysedc on Every Last Bite Cookbook Giveaway
- demomcook on Pizza Night and Emile Henry Pizza Stone Giveaway
- elysedc on Hot Sheet – Cookbook Giveaway
- elysedc on Flavorama Cookbook Giveaway
- elysedc on Second Helpings – Cookbook Giveaway