In your sobering Monday media column: Publishers Weekly editor laid off, scrounging for dollars and cougars, former New York Times Hollywood reporter Sharon Waxman's web site cometh, and more!

Sara Nelson, the former Post books editor and columnist who got the top job at Publishers Weekly four years ago, has been laid off from PW. She was the most prominent victim of a 7% across-the-board cut at PW parent company Reed Business Information. The firing of Nelson, an alumnus of Inside.com, is probably a sign of the weak economic climate in the book publishing industry more than anything else. Full details of the RBI layoffs haven't emerged, but it's a safe bet that they'll affect their higher-profile trade mags—Variety in particular, is looking at a rumored 30 layoffs.


Former New York Times Hollywood reporter Sharon Waxman has launched her long-awaited new website, TheWrap.com, which will be "an exciting new space to cover Hollywood in the digital age." Though Sharon doesn't like us, we wish her luck in her quest to not be totally blown out of the water by Nikki Finke.


Bad news for big media: Deutsche Bank forecasts a 22% decline in earnings for News Corp this year; the last surviving member of the Reuter family dies; and bankrupt Tribune Co., where reckless memo writer Lee Abrams is threatening anyone who opposes the REVOLUTION, will now formally grade employees on their "positive attitude." Smile or die.

It's not all about the Great Magazine Die-Off. Hardcore Gamer magazine was able to successfully sell itself on eBay! Better than, you know, dying off! [NYT]

Public service announcement for fame-hungry romantics: a Good Morning America correspondent has sent out a request that the show is ""Looking for an attractive Cougar Couple to appear on Good Morning America Weekend Edition. Professional Couple - woman at least 10 years older than the guy. This show will air on Valentine's Day Weekend. Couple needs to live in California." The perfect Valentine's gift for your boy toy!