Meghan Markle's Children's Book Launch Could Be Impeded After Quarrel Between Publisher & Book Retailer
Meghan Markle is gearing up for a busy week — her new children's book will be released on June 8. However, due to a quarrel between her publisher, Penguin Random House, and book retailer Waterstones, it could impact the sales of former actress' book.
According to The Telegraph, the publisher has a limited number of books they can buy. In response, Waterstones pulled Penguin Random House titles from displays in hundreds of stores nationwide.
A spokesperson for PRH confirmed that the credit limit was introduced at the end of 2020 “at a very significant level," adding that there were "no practical restrictions on trading now."
“We are not boycotting PRH titles but we are doing our utmost to ensure that availability for customers remains good despite the lower overall levels of stock," a spokesperson for Waterstones said. “We do this generally by giving their titles less prominent positioning within our bookshops. Waterstones are currently operating with reduced credit terms from PRH, the only publisher in the UK to place any limitations on our ability to trade.”
In May, the Suits star, 39, announced she had written a book called The Bench, which focuses on the special bond between fathers and sons.
"The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born," Meghan, who is pregnant with baby No. 2, said in the press release from publisher Random House Children's Books. "That poem became this story."
"Christian Robinson layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolor illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life; this representation was particularly important to me, and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens," Meghan said. "My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine.”
Mallory Loehr, the EVP & Publisher for Random House Books for Young Readers Group, is also excited for people to read the story to their children going forward.
"Meghan’s touching text explores the relationship between fathers and sons and undeniably tugs at the heartstrings that parents and caregivers feel,” Loehr said in a statement. "Christian’s art beautifully matches the tender emotion of Meghan’s words, and every spread is infused with a vibrant sense of joy and love. The Bench is timeless — it feels destined to become one of those books that people will be reading for generations to come."
