It’s always darkest before the dawn. Just when the prospects for recovery seemed bleakest, Dorchester has come roaring back onto the publishing scene with a determined new CEO and a turnaround plan that wastes no time in restoring the confidence of authors, agents and retail partners.

Here are the highlights of Dorchester’s just-issued press release:

The new CEO is Robert Anthony, an experienced executive in digital brand marketing, with “more than 25 years of experience in financial and operations management.”

Anthony’s first goal: “To reorganize and improve the accounting and internal financial reporting structure. This will include a complete review of the royalty system and other vitally important internal procedures, all of which are intended to focus on shoring up revenue sources and paying off creditors. We will create an atmosphere of transparency and efficiency that was heretofore lacking,”

Clarification of previously announced strategy. Anthony stated that “previously unavailable mass-market copies of Dorchester’s author backlist are once again available to some vendors and through the company website.”

Hit the ground running: “After a short hiatus in new-book production, the company intends to release its Winter e-book list on November 23, 2010, just in time for the holiday season.”

Apology for mixed messages: “Mixed messages to media outlets and unpredicted procedural changes also contributed, undermining author confidence and leading to rumors of imminent bankruptcy.”

Determination to be a player: “We are going to reinvigorate this company,” declared Anthony. “I’ve quickly learned that the employees at Dorchester are a talented and professional group. We’re going to do whatever it takes.”

We welcome this news and speak, I’m sure, for an author and agent community that wants to see Dorchester’s turnaround succeed and wishes it and its new leader every success.

The full press release may be read here.
Richard Curtis