Now this is what we call terse:

"New York, NY (December 15, 2006) - Jane Friedman, President and CEO of HarperCollins Worldwide, today announced that Judith Regan's employment with HarperCollins has been terminated effective immediately.

"The REGAN publishing program and staff will continue as part of the HarperCollins General Books Group."

More from the New York Times' Edward Wyatt, who reports that news of Regan's firing hit media outlets even before it was transmitted to Regan employees in Los Angeles. Regan spokeswoman Suzanne Wickham, said employees had not been notified of the development before a reporter called to ask to speak to Regan. Variety's Steven Zeitchik has yet more, as does the Wall Street Journal's Jeff Trachtenberg.