
Neilson Business Media announced on Thursday that they will cease operations of Kirkus Reviews. A huge loss to the publishing industry.
Kirkus Reviews, generally only known to the general public for blurbs on book jackets, was nonetheless an important part of the industry. With libraries and booksellers unable to read every book before ordering, prepublication reviewers like Kirkus helped them make informed choices. The classic Kirkus review provided a brief synopsis and several lines praising or denigrating the book.
Neilson also announced the closure of the magazine Editor and Publisher, and the fact that they’re putting Hollywood Reporter and Billboard Magazine on the auction block.
And, before we forget, Kirkus was one of the many publications to give Ghost Radio a rave. They said of the book:
“A first novel that moves with deserved confidence into Stephen King territory …. Palpable, almost visible cross-cultural creepiness that never lets up: very smart thrills.”
– Kirkus Reviews
So, needless to say, we’ll definitely miss them.