Thread by @TheBookMaven

Taking 15 minutes to pay attention to imprint talk, back soon. #DOJvPRH

Ok, so here’s what Hill is saying, ultimately: A MERGER CHANGES THE WAY PARTIES COMPETE. Surprise! #DOJvPRH

NB my grades in undergrad micro and macro were quite low. #DOJvPRH

Hill: “Established authors do switch houses!”

He keeps using the phrase “when established authors have to take a haircut” and all I can picture is Neil Gaiman getting a fade

Ok, on a break. We’re going to be captives of a 45-minute video soon, it might be about printing? Save me. These benches are hard and unforgiving. #DOJvPRH

Now a video deposition from agent Kristy Fletcher #DOJvPRH

Fletcher’s testimony shows how opaque the publishing process can be; lots of factors at play in determining auction structure. #DOJvPRH

Ooof these benches are HARD #DOJvPRH

Excruciating interview. Slow and not sure what they’re trying to establish. Not sure THEY know. Mostly we’re learning that big publishers are different from small publishers. #DOJvPRH

Fletcher says S&S being incorporated into PRH could increase downward pressure on advances for all. #DOJvPRH

But remember! This is testimony about tweets!!! #awholenewworld #DOJvPRH

But Fletcher’s concerns about the effect of a merger on advances is valid. Unfortunately they’re not pressing her on how she says this has happened “time and time again” because that might be relevant. This deposition is so. Awkward. #DOJvPRH

I am trying to keep up. We now have 20 minutes of sealed testimony so maybe I can figure out what to share with you. #DOJvPRH

Agent Fletcher (let’s make her sound like Dana Scully) does believe that there are benefits to a merger, too, specifically S&S benefiting from PRH marketing know how and “the ability of the combined entity to support retail,” meaning indie bookstores. #DOJvPRH

Agent Fletcher says that the Random House/Crown merger back in the day made both “better publishers.” #DOJvPRH

Again, what I am gleaning from Kristy Fletcher’s testimony is that PUBLISHING IS COMPLICATED and sometimes mergers work and sometimes they don’t and agents juggle many things in making a deal. BUT! #DOJvPRH

Authors who seek publication by the big trad houses aren’t simply after money. Fletcher says that many of her clients are execs/academics whose “objective is to achieve” — although she added that “Money is also a factor.” Ah, publishing!!! #DOJvPRH

TY all for putting up with me. I did not know laptops were allowed, so juggling notebook and phone today. Tomorrow will type-and-tweet more easily. #DOJvPRH

CHRISTY Fletcher. TY @CalMorgan for helping me get it right. #DOJvPRH

The government has rested its case.

Lunch or. . . ?

THEN: Jennifer Walsh, Jennifer Bergstrom, more. . . Madeline McIntosh on Monday. . .

#DOJvPRH

“We call Jennifer Rudolph Walsh.” #DOJvPRH

JRW is VERY PEPPY for this trial. #DOJvPRH

They have qualified JRW as an expert witness. #DOJvPRH

Listening for 15. . . #DOJvPRH