Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 03/18-03/22

Ever week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

What is Fabulism?

 

Publishers Try to Oppose Internet Archives Appeal Again 

 

What are the Big Take Aways of the London Book Fair?  

 

Why is Russian Literature so Popular?

 

Understanding the Rise of Romantasy Before BookTok

People Round Up, Mid March, 2024

PEOPLE

Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe will exit his role once his contract expires in 2026.

 

At Penguin Random House, Suzanne Herz is rejoining Penguin Random House as publisher of John Grisham, on April 15th, and will report to chief revenue officer Jaci Updike. Alessandra Scarpaci has joined Random House Children’s Books as publicity assistant. At Putnam, Regina Andreoni has joined as marketing manager. Sofie Parker has joined Putnam as marketing assistant. Marisa Nakasone has joined Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group as designer.  Cassie Gitkins has joined Random House Publishing Group as production editor. At Dutton, David Howe has joined as associate editor.

 

At Hyperion, Chelsea Cutchens has joined Hyperion Avenue as editor. 

 

ReaderLink Distribution: Lakshmi Jiddu has joined as D365 Finance and operations developer.

 

At Titan Publishing, Rosanna Anness has joined as head of rights, she was formerly publishing manager at Hasbro

 

At Abrams, Clarie Stetzer has joined as editor; she was formerly editor at Inkyard Press. Shea Dunlop has joined as sales assistant.  Kristi Iwashiro has joined as ComicArts editor, formerly she was the translation manager at J-Novel Club. Evelyn Lema has joined as senior financial analyst, she was formerly senior financial analyst at Amazon.

 

Megan Zimlich is being promoted to senior manager of digital content at Kensington Publishing

 

Chronicle Books has named Christina Amini as publisher of gift and she will also work in partnership with Chronicle’s Games & Toys.

 

At IPG, Julia Dillman has joined as administrative assistant, Kenneth Duncan has joined as digital marketing coordinator, and Megan Trank has joined as client manager for financial statements.

 

At Open Road Integrated Media, Hazel De Leon has joined as marketing coordinator for sales channels.

 

At Guilford Press, Lilith Dorko has joined as senior editor for social psychology; she was formerly executive editor for psychology at Rowman & Littlefield

 

Kayla White has joined as managing editor associate at Zando Publishing. She was previously managing editorial assistant at Abrams.

 

At Wroteby.me, Rachel Bell has joined as go to market consultant.

 

At Phaidon, Audrée Damiba is joining as marketing manager. At Monacelli, Caroline Jones is joining as marketing and publicity assistant.

 

The American Booksellers Association announced Preethi Kannath has joined the education team as lead instructional designer.

 

In Agency News…

At Laura Dail Literary Agency, Jennifer Udden has joined as literary agent. She was previously a freelance editor, and previously an agent at New Leaf Literary & Media

 

At LCS Literary Services, Kimberly Latrice Jones has joined as an associate agent, she previously authored I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.

 

PROMOTIONS

At Simon & Schuster, Lara Jones has been promoted to senior editor at Emily Bestler Books

 

Penguin Random House promotions: Lauren Weber, has been promoted to executive director,brand development, and will report to Suzanne Herz. Maralee Diana is being promoted to publishing associate at Penguin Publishing Group. Vanessa Haughton has been promoted to editor at Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Katrina Damkoehler has been promoted to associate art director at Random House Children’s Books.

 

Hachette Book Group promotions: Lauren Kisare has been promoted to assistant editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Patrick Hulse has been promoted to designer at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Savannah Kennelly and Christie Michel have been promoted to senior manager of school and library marketing at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Ruqayyah Daud has been promoted to editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Jessica Anderson has been promoted to senior editor, Jenny Kimura has been promoted to associate art director, Cheryl Lew has been promoted to associate director of publicity, and Lisa Yoskowitz has been promoted to VP and executive editorial director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Hachette Audio has promoted Jasmine Normil to publicity and marketing coordinator. Laura Essex has been promoted to audio editor, Charles McCrorey has been promoted to studio manager and audio operations associate, Ghenet Harvey has been promoted to senior audio production associate, and  Michelle Figueroa has been promoted to senior audio production associate at Hachette Audio. At Black Dog & Leventhal, Katie Benezra has been promoted to art director. Scott Trebing has been promoted to production manager. Shay Brown has been promoted to senior reprint manager. Jennifer Tordy has been promoted to production manager of trade frontlist. Kenzie Sena has been promoted to marketing and sales associate. Lauren Shade has been promoted to assistant marketing director. Michelle Forde has been promoted to senior marketing manager. Sarah Alli has been promoted to marketing associate.

 

At Macmillan Publishers, Patrick Nielson Hayden has become editor-at-large for Tor Publishing Group. Miriam Weinberg has been promoted to executive editor of Tor. Troix Jackson has been promoted to assistant editor and Dianna Vega has been promoted to assistant editor. Jenna Johnson has been promoted to SVP, editor-in-chief at Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (FSG). Eric Chinski, has been promoted to editorial director, nonfiction at FSG. Na Kim has been promoted to creative director at FSG.  Alex Merto has been promoted to senior art director at Picador. Jonathan Woolen has been promoted to associate marketing manager at FSG. Isabella Miranda has been promoted to senior manager of subsidiary rights at FSG. Bri Panzica has been promoted to senior production editor at FSG.

 

At Candlewick Press, Rachel Wood has been promoted to assistant art director.

 

IPG, Bianca Rodriguez has been promoted to marketing assistant. Valerie Pedroche has been promoted to associate publicist. Adam Barresse has been promoted to senior digital services associate. Casey Park has been promoted to digital services manager. Qassye Inwood has been promoted to digital print manager.

 

Phaidon, Ellie Levine is being promoted to director of marketing and digital initiatives.  Eva Baron is being promoted to publicist.

 

At Quirk Books, Jhanteigh Kupihea has been promoted to president and publisher. Nicole De Jackmo has been promoted to EVP, deputy publisher. David Borgenicht has moved into the role of chairman and founder.

 

At Orbit Books, Bradley Englert has been promoted to executive editor and Angela Man has been promoted to senior publicist.

DULY NOTED

Zando is launching their romance imprint, Slowburn and will aim to publish 2 to 3 books per season. Hayley Wagreich, director of original development at Zando, and Sierra Stovall, director of rights at Zando, are co-directors of Slowburn. Nicole Otto, who joined Zando senior editor and was previously a senior creative executive at Realm, and TJ Ohler, assistant editor at Zando, will work closely with Wagreich and Stovall.

 

Akira Toriyama, Manga creator of Dragon Ball Z died at 68 on March 1st due to an acute subdural hematoma. 

 

EVENTS

Mar 20-24

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

New Orleans, LA

Mar 20-24

Virginia Festival of the Book

Charlottesville, VA

Mar 21-24

Leipzig Book Fair

Leipzig, Germany

Mar 22-24

Romantasy Book Festival

Chicago, IL

Mar 26

Story Prize

New York, NY

Mar 28-Apr 8

Bangkok International Book Fair

Bangkok, Thailand

Mar 29-31

WonderCon

Anaheim, CA

Apr 3-5

Public Library Association Conference

Columbus, OH

Apr 4-7

Foire du Livre de Bruxelles

Brussels, Belgium

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 03/11-03/15

Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

Why is the Gig Economy a Risky Model for Those in Publishing? 

The London Book Fair Highlighted the Book Adaption Hype 

The Great American Novel- Who Made the Cut? 

Authors Pushback on Growing Amazon Sales for  AI Books 

Pay Respects or Print?- Where is the Line for Publishing Posthumously?

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 03/04-03/08

Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

Gabriel García Márquez Never Wanted His Story Published- Why His Son Felt Differently 

World Reading Day Finds Children Put Off Reading For Pleasure 

Before Popcorn and Oscars There Were The Stories That Inspired Them 

 

PEN America Announces Paul Simon Will Receive Literary Service Award 

Amazon E-book Lawsuit Trimmed

Job Hunt Prep for the Unprepared

Although our firm, Market Partners International (MPI), does a lot of different kinds of consulting, we’re known for recruiting.  We’ve found presidents, publishers, publicists, and production pros – you get the drift.  As a result, we’re often the first call after someone is laid off or fired, or just restless.  And because we talk to people in various stages of their search for a new job opportunity, we are able to gauge who is likely to land somewhere and thrive, rather than spin their wheels until they give up or take whatever comes along, regardless of the fit.

Some who are laid off are given the option of outplacement.  Take it; the one-on-one coaching, access to courses, opportunity to network and practical help with resume writing and LinkedIn profile development are very helpful.  If you aren’t offered it by your company, ask for it.  

If this isn’t an option, there are ways to approximate some of these services.  Most job boards, like Indeed and LinkedIn offer resume building tips for little or no money.  But a surefire way to improve your LinkedIn profile is to look at profiles of colleagues whose job titles are similar to yours.  

Two areas that don’t always get attention are the “About” section and the “Contact” section.  The former should be robust (boastful!) and the latter should include an email address (and if you have one, a website) so that people can reach you without going through in-platform messaging.  

It’s always surprising to find that people who are not actively job-hunting don’t feel the need to create a fleshed-out profile.  Does that mean you never want to be approached about an opportunity, or you want to wait until you’re playing catch-up, after the pink slip? Plus, having a good profile makes it easier to engage with other industry colleagues whom you might meet at parties and conferences.  

Meanwhile, be aware of applicant tracking systems – which many companies use to weed out applicants.  How to game the system so that your resume isn’t held up before it lands on the right executive’s desk?  Julie Blattberg, a senior advisor to MPI and a metadata expert, reminds us that it’s important to add relevant keywords to your profile, resume, and cover letter. “Consider the work you do and your areas of expertise. Then, think like a recruiter—or a search engine. Use industry- and role-specific terms. For example, a senior marketer might include “management experience,” “content strategy,” and “customer acquisition”—phrases that can be easily understood by humans and identified by filters.”

Remember that some companies use software to process and prioritize inbound applications before a human ever lies eyes on any individual’s documents.

So when applying for a specific role, she added: “It’s a good idea to mirror language in the published job description, but only do so where pertinent to you and your experience. When updating a dusty resume, look for keywords and verbiage from job specs of roles you aspire to.”  

 

“Open to Work” or not?

There’s much debate about whether to add this label to your LinkedIn profile.  While nowadays there’s pretty much no stigma about being unemployed, someone who is casually liking your post or comment may think twice if he or she anticipates a follow-up request for help in your search.  

On the other hand, people who are hiring – whether full time or part time, will have you on their radar.  Speaking of part-time, some job seekers don’t want to take on a consulting job for fear it will interfere with their search or that they’ll land a job before the project is done.  Neither is an issue, especially if you’re clear about your end goal of full-time work.  

Taking on consulting work will keep you engaged and, ideally, gives you a potential reference who can speak to your strengths.  As for leaving a gig for a full-time job, fear not — other consultants will happily take on the project.

 

What makes a good candidate?

What makes a good job seeker?  Some qualities are obvious:  a candidate who’s well prepared, with an updated resume and LinkedIn profile, and a clear idea of which skills are needed to perform the job.  

Todd Berman, a former VP Sales Director at Penguin Random House who just landed a position at a university press, also thinks it’s important to know what you liked in previous positions, and what you want from your next job. He credits Phyl Terry’s Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker’s Playbook with focusing his efforts so that he could enunciate that when he networked.  Terry has created more than a thousand Job Search Councils which individuals can join at no cost other than the price of the book. In Berman’s group there were five people from disparate industries who met once a week to provide feedback, coaching and perhaps most importantly, structure, to the search process.  All five have found jobs since they started their group less than six months ago.  

While an applicant’s belief that an opportunity is worth pursuing is key, keep in mind that the job doesn’t exist simply as a great fit for your aspirations.  And regardless of how the interviews go, everyone should get a “thank-you” email.  A client recently turned down a candidate who neglected that step, because she was deemed “insufficiently eager” for the job.  This lapse was especially flagrant as the candidate was interviewing for a publicity role; a PR pro would know that relationship management tactics like TY notes are table stakes during the interview process.

But getting to the hiring manager often takes more than belief in a good alignment of aspiration and job description and a great resume.  It usually involves extensive networking.  One person looking for a job tells us that he has a spreadsheet of people he’s contacted, when he first talked with them, what they discussed, and when a follow-up is appropriate.  (We have had people contact us more than once without remembering our previous conversations.)  

When talking to a potential networking contact, it’s important to make it a dialogue; that person has a job, a life, and a network too.  It’s also important to briefly recount your “story” – whether your path to unemployment or (as the case may be) concern about potential unemployment.  

Finally, a follow-up email is always appreciated, and job seekers who then tell their network that they’ve snagged a terrific position thanks to their help, are spreading good karma – which even the most seasoned networker or hardened recruiter will appreciate.

 

Good luck!

People Round Up, Early March, 2024

PEOPLE

Co-Founders Madeline McIntosh, Nina von Moltke and Don Weisberg announced the launch of Authors Equity, a new collaborative book publisher.  McIntosh holds the title of CEO and Publisher, von Moltke is President and Weisberg is Senior Advisor. In addition Robin Desser has been named Editorial Advisor, 

Carly Gorga is Chief Marketing Officer and Andrea Bachofen has the role of COO.  All had served at one point in their careers at Penguin Random House, though Weisberg was most recently at Macmillan and Bachofen at Amazon.

 

At One Signal Publishers, Alessandra Bastagli, has joined as VP and publisher, she was previously editorial director at Astra House. She succeeds founding publisher Julia Cheiffetz

 

At Simon & Schuster, Ali Cutrone, formerly executive director of online sales at Hachette Book Group, is joining as VP of digital and online sales. Sara Barley, formerly editorial director of young adult publishing at Flatiron Books, will join Simon & Schuster as editorial director of a new imprint under S & S Books for Young Readers, effective April 8th.  Kevin Hanson, president and publisher of Simon & Schuster Canada is leaving the company after almost two decades. And Felicia Quon, previously VP of marketing and communications at Simon & Schuster Canada, has joined Page Two as sales director.

 

At Macmillan Publishers, Roger Priddy, publisher of Priddy Books, will retire on June 30, after which he will continue to work with the imprint as an author and consultant. Sally Poulson will lead both imprints, Priddy Books and Neon Squid as managing director. Sam Priddy will serve as publisher. Joanne Clark will become creative director and Fiona Macdonald will take on the role of publishing director.

 

Anthropic has announced longtime Google executive, Tom Turvey as vice president of product. 

 

Penguin Random House, Ivy Cheng has joined Viking Penguin as publicist.

 

At Bloomsbury Continuum, editorial director Robin Baird-Smith left the company after 24 years at the end of February. Publisher Tomasz Hoskins has succeeded him. 

 

Dan Mayer has joined Crooked Lane Books as senior editor-at-large. He was previously editorial director at Seventh Street Books

 

Zoe Caulfield, previously at Welbeck Publishing Group and Hacheette UK, will join Gemini Books Group as executive director of North American sales and will also oversee foreign and subsidiary rights. Adrian Greenwood, previously sales director for Magic Cat, will join as executive director of UK and worldwide sales. Steve Munnings previously sales director of Imagine That has joined as group commercial director.

 

Jim Howard, chief operating officer, has retired from Morgan James Publishing effective February 29th.

 

At HarperCollins, Stephanie Mendoza,, formerly associate director of publicity Algonquin Books, has joined as director of publicity.

 

Anita Okoye, formerly assistant editor at Marvel Comics, has joined Abrams ComicArts as editor. 

 

Yale University Press Director  John Donatich will retire at the end of June 2025.

 

At Kar-Ben Publishing, publisher Joni Sussman will retire on June 28 after 20 years with the company. 

 

Suzanne Albert has joined Barefoot Books as VP of global sales. She was previously VP of sales at Callisto Media.

 

 

Shelly Romero has joined Chooseco as senior editor, she was formerly at Scholastic and Cake Creative.   Kristen Pettit has joined Cake Creative and Electric Postcard as editorial director. She was previously executive editor at Harper Children’s.

 

The Academy of American Poets has named Sherly Woodruff director of development 

 

At Lee & Low Books, Sacha Chadwick has joined as a publicist. 

 

Amber Thorton has been named director of the Cullman County (AL) Public Library System.

The California Independent Booksellers Alliance announced that Hannah Walcher will become executive director, starting part- time in March and transitioning to full-time in June. She was previously the executive director of Books Inc’s Bridge literary nonprofit. 

 

Michelle Pavao has joined Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley as director of finance.

 

At Open Road Integrated Media, Joshua Riitano is joining as marketing analytics manager.

 

At Ave Maria Press, Justyna Coppus has resigned as publicist. Erin Pierce is interim publicist and strategic partnerships manager.

 

In Agency News…

Stephanie Winter has joined KO Media Management as literary agent.

 

Laura Crockett has been promoted to senior literary agency and foreign rights manager at TriadaUS Literary Agency.

 

Molly Ketcheson has joined Wolfson Literary Agency as literary agent.

 

Eli Keren, formerly an associate agent at United Agents, has joined as literary agent at The Curious Minds Agency.

 

Yasmin McDonald has joined CAA as an agent in the books department, she was previously at United Agents.

Founder of Westwood Creative Artists, Bruce Westwood has retired. Jake Babad is rejoining the agency as VP of finance and co-head of media rights on March 4th. Previously he was a litigator at Torys LLP.

 

Eccles Fischer Associates, Éditions Phébus has appointed Eccles Fisher Associates as their US scout.

 

PROMOTIONS

HarperCollins Publishers, David Howe has been promoted to associate editor. David Walker has been promoted to assistant director of design at William Morrow Group and HarperCollins Children’s Books. At Harlequin Intrigue, Emma Cole has been promoted to editor. Maureen Cole has been promoted to executive director of publicity at Morrow Group. Allison Carney  has been promoted to senior director of marketing at Morrow Group. Kirby Sandmeyer has been promoted to editor of Harper and Harper Business.

 

At Penguin Random House, Arielle Pearl has been promoted to senior designer at CrownMegan Westbrook has been promoted to project manager at Crown.  Setareh Saidi has been promoted to senior analyst of consumer insights at Crown. Cady Zeng has been promoted to assistant managing editor at Penguin Random House Audio. Kaitlyn Robinson has been promoted to associate director, managing editorial at Penguin Random House Audio.  Anita Chong has been promoted to editorial director for McClelland & Stewart. At Dutton, Maya Ziv has been promoted to VP and editorial director. Ellie Pritchett has been promoted to associate editor at Vintage/Anchor.

 

Hachette Book Group has promoted Charlotte Morrison to senior advertising manager at Little, Brown. Karina Leon has been promoted to assistant editor at Little, Brown. Morgan Wu has been promoted to assistant editor at Little, Brown. Kirin Diemont has been promoted to senior designer at Little, Brown. Helen O’Hare has been promoted to executive editor at Little, Brown and Mulholland Books. Emily Williams has been promoted to assistant editor at James Patterson Books. Thea Diklich-Newell has been promoted to editor at Voracious  and will add titles to the Spark list.  At Grand Central Publishing, Natalie Bautista has been promoted to assistant editor at Balance. Amina Iro has been promoted to associate editor at Legacy LitLeah Hultenschmidt has been promoted to VP and publisher at the Forever imprint.  Sabrina Flemming has been promoted to associate editor at Forever.  Sam Brody  has been promoted to associate editor at Forever. Madeleine Colavita has been promoted to senior editor at Forever. Lauren Sum has been promoted to associate publicist. Alana Spendley has been promoted to marketing associate. Leena Oropez  has been promoted to marketing associate. Kamrun Nesa has been promoted to publicity manager. Stef Acquaviva  has been promoted to publicist.  Running Press has promoted Randall Lotowycz to senior editor, Maria Rillo to associate editor, and Britney Prerilli to editor. Mary Boyer, Justine Kelley, and Tanvi Baghele have been promoted to designer at Running Press. Kara Thornton has been promoted to director of publicity of Running Press. Rebecca Matheson has been promoted to marketing and publicity manager. Amanda Richmond has been promoted to senior designer and manager of proprietary editions at Running Press. 

At Macmillan Publishers, Sandra Moore has transferred from Celadon Books to the reprints production team as production associate.

 

At Simon & Schuster Michelle Herrera Mulligan has been promoted to VP and associate publisher at Atria, and will lead its new imprint, Primero Sueño Press, dedicated to publishing Latinx/Latine/Hispanic authors in both English and Spanish.

 

Candlewick Press has promoted Tracy Miracle to VP of publicity, Frank Antippas to accounting manager, and Kristin Seim to senior HR representative and office manager. 

 

Holiday House has promoted Michelle Montague to VP of trade marketing.

 

Peachtree Publishing Company has promoted Karen Walsh to VP of of consumer and brand marketing.

 

At Riverdale Avenue Books, David Valentin is being promoted to subrights manager.

 

Soho Press has promoted Nick Whitney to associate editor.

Sourcebooks has promoted Michael Zuccato to senior VP and chief digital officer. 

 

Nick Weckman has been promoted to publishing implementation manager at Firebrand Technologies.

 

At Beaufort Books, Emma St. John has been promoted to director of sales and marketing. 

 

Andrews McMeel Publishing has promoted  Jeff Preuss to production manager, Chuck Harper has been promoted to production director for books, Rebecca Ngo has been promoted to associate editor for calendars, Alex Alfano has been promoted to associate production manager, Sarah Tobaben has been promoted to executive editor for calendars, and Shona Burns has been promoted to VP of publishing services, books, and calendars.

 

At Open Road Integrated Media, Amanda Schaffer has been promoted to associate art director.

 

Zibby Media has promoted Anne Messite to president. Graça Tito is promoted to director of events and Roberto Velez is promoted to director of financial planning and analysis.

DULY NOTED

The Jerusalem International Book Forum has postponed their event until 2025.

 

Spotify has introduced a paid subscription plan focused on audiobooks in the US. For $9.99 a month, listeners can receive 15 hours worth of audiobooks along with ad supported music. 

 

Author-illustrator, Petra Mathers died February 6th; she was 78.

 

Joey Paul, 78, died February 6th. He worked in Christian Publishing for more than 50 years. He most recently worked at Thomas Nelson as executive editor.

 

Herman Parish, 71, author of the Amelia Bedelia books died February 10th. His aunt started the series which he then continued after her death in 1995 and went on to write an additional 59 books for the series.

 

Ken Fund, former Quarto COO, died on February 22nd at age 65. He worked with the Quarto Publishing Group for 24 years and retired in 2021.

 

EVENTS

Mar 9 – 10

Tucson Festival of Books

Tucson, AZ

Mar 9

Pasadena Festival of Women Authors 

Pasadena, CA

Mar 12-14

The London Book Fair

London, ENG

Mar 14-16

New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Mar 15-16

Palm Beach Book Festival

Palm Beach, FL

Mar 20-24

Virginia Festival of the Book

Charlottesville, VA

Mar 21-24

Leipzig Book Fair

Leipzig, Germany

Mar 22-24

Romantasy Book Festival

Chicago, IL

Mar 28-Apr 8

Bangkok International Book Fair

Bangkok, Thailand

Mar 29-31

WonderCon

Anaheim, CA

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 02/26-03/01

Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

Schools Celebrate Nationwide Read Across America Day 

 

Have Publishing Companies Pledges Faltered? – Lee & Low Diversity Report 

 

A Book Day Keeps The Doctor Away- How Reading Boosts Well-Being

 

Tech Company Inkitt Looks to Change the Publishing Landscape 

 

Fiction and Friendship? Gen Z and Millennials Cannot Sign Up Fast Enough:

Gen Z and Millennials Revamping Book Clubs 

Online Book Clubs Becoming Increasingly Popular

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 02/19-02/23

Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

Road to Recovery – How San Francisco is Tackling Drug Addiction Through Pilot Reading Program

 

Ai’s Latest Publishing Problem- Creating Fake Biographies of Deceased

 

Front Line Facilities- How Libraries Go Above and Beyond Just Offering Books

 

Is Sarah J. Maas The Next J.K. Rowling?   

 

Who is Gertrude Stein and Where Does One Begin With Her Work? 

People Round Up, Mid February, 2024

PEOPLE

Colin Shields, VP and executive director of global and international sales, is leaving Simon SchusterLaura Perciasepe, formerly senior editor at Riverhead Books/PRH, is joining Summit Books/S&S as executive editor.

 

Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray will move from HarperCollins to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group on April 15 They will set up a new iteration of the Balzer + Bray imprint with both having the title of SVP and co-publisher.

 

Kirsty Melville  was named CEO at Andrew McMeel Universal, the third person in the company’s 54 year history that has assumed this role. She will oversee all AMU operations while continuing to serve as president and publisher of Andrew McMeel Publishing.

 

Mark Warner is joining HarperCollins Christian Publishing as VP of business development and operations. Rachel Molland has joined Harper as senior publicist. She was previously a publicist at Basic Books and Seal Press.

 

At Hachette Book Group, Sally Kim will join Little, Brown as president and publisher on March 4, leaving her current role as SVP publisher at Putnam/PRH. Current Little, Brown publisher Bruce Nichols will leave his position on March 1. Brianne Oliva, formerly marketing and publicity intern at Workman, is joining Basic Books as marketing assistant.

 

In other Penguin Random House news, SVP for distribution in Maryland Vince Annoreno will retire on October 1 after 35 years at the company. Katie Burton has joined Random House Children’s Books as senior associate for social media. Kelsey Curtis has joined Vintage, as senior publicist. She was previously publicity manager at DK US. Sara Hayet has joined Doubleday as publicist, she was previously associate publicist at Zando. Dara Sheere and Jasmin Shin have joined Penguin Random House Canada as marketing coordinator. John Castillanes has joined as advertising coordinator. Rebecca Rocillo has joined as editorial assistant for McClelland & Stewart.

 

Daniela Rapp has joined Skyhorse Publishing as executive editor. She was previously Mayo Clinic Press.

 

Priti Sharma has joined Chronicle Books as sales assistant for mass market. Jocelyn Shratter has joined as sales and marketing enablement assistant.

 

Madison Gaines has joined  ‘Shelf Awareness’ as publishing assistant.

 

At Open Road Integrated Media, Marco Tulio Cherulli Borges is joining as data engineer. 

 

Drew Gruss has been made co-owner of Microcosm Publishing. Kandi Zeller has joined as editor. David Geiser has joined the fulfillment team and Daley Farr has joined as marketing and publicity supervisor.

 

Stephanie Wells has been appointed executive editor of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

At Maria B. Campbell, Kaylee Hirzel-Duff has been promoted to junior scout.

 

In Agency News…

Sarah Brown has joined C&W, part of the Curtis Brown Group as agent, she was previously an agent at United Agents

 

Ultra Literary, Elizabeth Aaron has joined as foreign rights director and operations manager. She was previously editorial assistant at Book of the Month and scout at KF Literary Scouting. Joanna Rasheed has joined as assistant literary agent, she was previously assistant and rights coordinator at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Lane Clarke, previously agent at Arthouse Literary Agency has joined as agent.

 

Maria Napolitano has joined KT Literary as foreign rights manager and agent.

 

At Storm Literary Agency, Heather Cashman has been promoted to senior literary agent. Lisa Amstutz has been promoted to literary agent. Michelle Hauck has been promoted to literary agent.

 

PROMOTIONS

At HarperCollins, Camille Smaby, has been promoted to senior marketing manager at HarperCollins Publishers. HarperCollins Children’s Books has promoted Shannon Cox to senior marketing associate, Michael D’Angelo, Lauren Tambini, and  Emily Mannon to senior marketing manager. 

 

Elizabeth Trout has been promoted to editor at Kensington Books.

 

At Penguin Random House, Lance Fitzgerald has been promoted to senior VP of content and business development at Penguin Random Audio. Abby Nutter has been promoted to senior editor at Penguin Random House Audio. Leah Jackson has been promoted to associate editor. Lauren Diaz Morgan has been promoted to senior manager of licensing and business development. Tara Hart  has been promoted to senior manager of backlist and art rights and permissions at Penguin Random House Audio. Random House Children’s Books has promoted Jenn Inzetta to associate director of audience engagement strategy. Meredith Wagner has been promoted to senior manager of social media strategy at Random House Children’s Books. Penguin Random House Canada, Cherly Nurse has been promoted to royalty accountant manager. Naomi Pinn has been promoted to senior contracts manager. Jamie Steep has been promoted to contracts associate. Emma Dolan and Andrew Roberts have been promoted to senior designer. Noah Kahansky has been promoted to studio coordinator. Melody Tacit has been promoted to academic sales manager. Hilary Lo has been promoted to assistant editor at Knopf Canada. Dulce Rosales has been promoted to senior manager for advertising services at Penguin Random House Canada. Viking Penguin has promoted Allie Merola to editor. Tina Ruppert is promoted to VP, distribution, for Maryland, succeeding Annoreno and reporting to senior vice president, distribution Lori De Reza. At Crown Publishing, Hannah Hunt has been promoted to senior prepress associate. Nick Patton has been promoted to prepress manager. Dan Meyers has been promoted to production manager. Terry Deal has been promoted to associate director, production editorial. Patricia Shaw has been promoted to associate director, production editorial, and digital copy chief. Joyce Wong has been promoted to executive production editor. Sohayla Farman has been promoted to production editor. Liza Stepanovich has been promoted to assistant managing editor.

 

At Simon & Schuster, Molly Gregory has been promoted to senior editor at Gallery Books.

 

Leo PR has promoted Molly Mitchell to associate publicist.

 

Heyday has promoted Marthine Satris to senior acquisitions editor.

DULY NOTED

Amelia Possanza and Brittani Hilles have launched Lavender Public Relations, a literary public relations agency that is “aimed at uplifting and building long-term careers for queer and feminist voices across genres”. Previously Possanza was associate director at Flatiron Books and Hilles was senior publicity manager at William Morrow.

 

EVENTS

Feb 19-23

San Miguel Writers Conference

Guanajuato, Mexico

 

Feb 20-25

Taipei International Book Exhibition

Taipei City, TPE

 

Feb 28

Audio Publishers Association Conference

Virtual

Feb 29- Mar 3

Emerald City ComicCon 

Seattle, WA

Mar 9

Pasadena Festival of Women Authors 

Pasadena, CA

Mar 12-14

The London Book Fair

London, ENG

Mar 14-16

New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blog Posts of the Week 02/12-02/16

Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.

OpenAi Book Lawsuit Has Been Partially Dismissed, Why?

 

An Insider Look at The World’s Largest Comics Library

 

How Americans Fell in Love With Romance Bookstores

 

Controversy Continues Around Hugo Awards    

Florida Governor Calls for Reforms on Book Bans