From Publishers Lunch ,Friday

Steve Rubin Leaves Random House

Conspicuously absent--and oddly unthanked and unmentioned--at last week's Knopf Doubleday party for Dan Brown, Random House evp and publisher-at-large Steve Rubin is leaving the company.
He said in a brief announcement:
"I leave Random House after 25 years with a great sense of accomplishment and pride, as well as a bit of sadness. It has been a tremendous ride. I have had the privilege of publishing and working closely with some of the greatest authors in the world. There are too many to name, but I must mention John Grisham, Dan Brown, Pat Conroy, Bill Moyers, Bill O'Reilly and Tina Brown - all of whom have made my life richer. I have been equally blessed to have worked with a splendid group of colleagues at Doubleday, Broadway, Spiegel & Grau, and the greater Random House worldwide, many of whom have become and will remain great friends. "So what's next? I am in serious discussion about some very exciting new opportunities in publishing. As well, I intend to return to my writing roots as I have been offered a book contract by one of the finest publishers in the industry. As I look to the future, I can honestly tell you that I am thrilled by the prospects. Stay tuned."

(Attorney/agent Bob Levine tells the AP that Rubin's book is about classical music, but would not name the publisher.)
In a statement cited by the AP, John Grisham calls it the end of the era: "Steve Rubin has been my friend and publisher for almost twenty years. He deserves much credit for my success. His departure from Random House means the end of Doubleday. It's a sad day for me, and for many other writers as well."
CEO Markus Dohle, who eliminated Rubin's previous position in last year's reorganization and split the Broadway Doubleday Group among other Random House divisions, says in his own note, "Steve and I have talked a lot about him continuing to play a major role with Random House, but in the end he has chosen to move on. Much as I wish his decision were otherwise, I respect his choice." Calling his time there "one of the most accomplished and distinguished careers in our company's history," Dohle adds, "his great legacies are Doubleday's and Broadway's continuing publishing strengths and the many talented colleagues he developed over the years."

Judge Chin Orders Google Case Parties to Oct. 7 Status Conference

The judge has agreed to the request to not hold a full hearing on the proposed settlement on October 7 "as it does not appear that the current settlement will be the operative one." But he doesn't want to wait another month to learn the status of negotiations, as the Authors Guild and AAP had asked.
At the October conference he wants "to determine how to proceed with the case as expeditiously as possible, as this case has now been pending for over four years."

While Chin will not hear from any other petitioners at the hearing, "they are free to attend."Judge Chin's note gives equal weight to both sides expressed so far: "The current settlement raises significant issues, as demonstrated not only by the number of objections, but also by the fact that the objectors include countries, states, non-profit organizations, and prominent authors and law professors. Clearly, fair concerns have been raised."But "on the other hand, the proposed settlement would offer many benefits to society, as recognized by supporters of the settlement as well as the Department of Justice. It would appear that if a fair and reasonable settlement can be struck, the public would benefit."