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.
Waterstones Bookstore & Its Use of AI
The Top Bookish Pet Names of 2025
How Print Books Have Prevailed
Spotify Wrapped: Audio Books Edition
Amazon Price Swings Heavily Affecting School Budgets
EXTRA: Jane Austen & The Romance Blueprint
PEOPLE
At Simon & Schuster, Cynthia Lin has joined the adult demand planning group as demand planning coordinator. Jason LaCoursier will join as vice president of distribution operations on December 15. He succeeds vice president of operations & distribution services Pat Kelman, who will retire at the end of the year. Kelman has been at the company for 35 years.
Hachette announced that Mary Beth Thomas will join as director, field sales, overseeing the independent bookstore channel. She was most recently director of independent retail sales at HarperCollins, where she led the national field sales and telesales team. Within Grand Central, Kitanna Hiromasa has joined as a publicist. She was previously at Riverhead.
At Viking Penguin, Alexis Nowicki has joined as a senior publicist. She was previously at Astra House.
Macmillan has hired Trish O’Neill as director, D2C marketing & ecommerce strategy, central marketing. Anthony Trezza joined as senior director, finance. Shareza Hosein joined as QA analyst, technology. Juliana Kelm joined as UAT coordinator, technology. Flatiron Books brings on Elysia Liang as senior editor acquiring practical nonfiction. She was previously at Harmony, Rodale, and Convergent.
Robert Allen, vp, associate publisher at Macmillan Audio, will retire on January 1, 2026 after sixteen years with the company. Within FSG Children’s, Nancy Conescu has joined as editorial director. Most recently she was publisher at Australia’s Berbay Books.
At The University of North Carolina Press Andrew Kinney has joined as the W. Hodding Carter III executive editor, leading acquisitions for the trade imprint dedicated to publishing books about America and the world. He had been at MIT Press.
At Holt, Fiora Elbers-Tibbitts has joined as publishing operations manager. She was previously at Neuwirth & Associates.
Sourcebooks brings on Nicole Turner as production specialist II.
Beth Whitaker has been named executive director of the Hudson Valley Writers Center.
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In Agency News…
At Calligraph, Eric Lupfer joins as a principal agent, bringing his list of journalists, historians, science writers, and experts across numerous fields. He was previously at UTA.
Martin Literary Management brings on Robert Broder as literary manager representing children’s literature and graphic novels. He is the founder and former publisher of Ripple Grove Press. Lindsey Aduskevich has joined as literary manager representing picture books, middle grade, young adult, and new adult. She was most recently an intern at MLM. Jeanne de Vita has joined as literary manager representing romance, romantasy, and select genre fiction. She is a former acquisitions editor and writing teacher.
At Purcell Agency Amy Nielsen has been promoted to senior literary agent. Paige Broadbent has been promoted to associate literary agent.
Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents brings on Elianna Kan as a literary agent. She was previously at Regal Hoffmann & Associates.
At Nancy Yost Literary Agency, Melissa Rodman has joined as associate agent and agency assistant. She was previously at Park, Fine, & Brower Literary Management.
Ingram Content Group has Alexander Slater joining as manager of Media Scout. He will “help bridge the gap between content and screen—connecting creators, rights buyers, and storytellers across industries.” Slater was an agent at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.
At The Bent Agency, Zoë Plant has joined as a literary agent. She was previously at The Bent Agency UK.
Metamorphosis Literary Agency promotes Shania Soler to agent. Kaylyn Aldridge is promoted to junior agent. Brian King is a new assistant agent specializing in the science fiction genre.
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PROMOTIONS
Random House Publishing Group promotes Katherine Leak to editor, working primarily for the Harmony and Rodale imprints, with the flexibility to acquire across three imprints. Leita Williams has been promoted to editor for Convergent. In publicity, Erin Richards has been promoted to publicity manager, Rachel Parker has been promoted to senior publicist, Hope Hathcock has been promoted to publicist, and Peter Dyer has been promoted to associate publicist.
Gallery Publishing Group publisher Jennifer Bergstrom has been promoted to executive vice president of Simon & Schuster, while continuing to lead the Gallery Publishing Group.
Promotions at Sourcebooks include Diana Schmidt to marketing associate for Casablanca and Bloom Books.
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DULY NOTED
Porter Anderson has passed away, it was announced on the Publishing Perspectives website today. The site noted that “Anderson took on the role at Publishing Perspectives in 2016, succeeding Founding Editor Ed Nawotka. As Editor-in-Chief, Anderson traveled the world, moderating industry discussions, reporting on new and established markets, highlighting changes in technology, celebrating publishers and writers doing excellent work, and engaging with an international audience eager to learn more about the publishing industry beyond their borders. . . . Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse said of Porter’s passing, “All of us who have known him personally over the past few years, who admired him for his expertise, his journalistic experience, loved him for his humor and admired his high professional ethics and his seemingly inexhaustible energy – we are all saddened and shocked by this news. There are no words or thoughts that can adequately express our feelings. The void left by his death cannot yet be fully measured.””
Bloomsbury announced a new strategic collaboration with Google Cloud focused on technology innovation, AI-powered learning and core publishing infrastructure. The collaboration will combine Bloomsbury’s publishing with secure AI technologies from Google Cloud, such as NotebookLM, Vertex AI and Gemini Enterprise. The collaboration will “ increase the discovery and sales of books, as well as transform engagement with content to improve learning outcomes.” according to Bloomsbury Chief Executive Nigel Newton.
The Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) named Sarah Lazin as the winner of their annual Gailey Award, the organization’s highest service honor.
Someone posing as a Grove Atlantic employee has been contacting authors by email to offer a publishing contract under false pretenses. The publisher is taking steps to try to identify and stop the illicit outreach under Grove’s name. If you are contacted in this manner, Grove would like to hear from you either at 212-614-7850 or at info@groveatlantic.com.
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black, Paige Terlip, and Jennifer March Soloway have launched a new agency, Starling Literary + Media, representing children’s authors and illustrators and adult fiction and nonfiction projects. They were previously at Andrea Brown.
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EVENTS
December 13th-14th
Los Angeles, CA
December 13th-14th
World Caribbean Christmas Book Fair
The Bahamas
December 19th-21st
Chicago, IL
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.
Children’s Authors’ Books Cancelled Due to Epstein Link
Intersection of Literature and FanFiction
It’s Now Okay to Judge a Book by Its Cover
Sneak Peek of “Sunrise on the Reaping” Trailer
PEOPLE
At Hachette, Eric Pearson has joined the IT department as vp, managed service group, reporting to svp, chief information officer Puneet Kukkal. Grand Central Publishing has Jessica Lyons joining as senior publicity manager. She was previously at William Morrow. Within Bold Type Books, Ishan Desai-Geller joins as associate editor. Desai-Geller was previously associate editor at The New Press.
At Random House Children’s, Sarah Sapang has moved over as designer, art and design. Most recently she was a designer at Square Enix Manga and Books. At Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull, Yuki Tominaga has been named a contributing editor for Counterpoint Press. Rob Shapiro has joined Catapult as an associate editor. Vintage, Doubleday, and Pantheon names Julianne Clancy senior director of marketing at Vintage, Jordan Rodman VP, senior director of publicity at Vintage, Michiko Clark VP, associate publisher within Pantheon and Doubleday, and Michael Goldsmith is named VP, senior director of publicity at Doubleday and Pantheon. Jess Deitcher is named senior director of marketing for Doubleday and Pantheon and Sarah Perrin has joined Doubleday as an assistant editor.
Following Macmillan’s acquisition of the book, e-book, and audio divisions of Sounds True, Jaime Schwalb has joined St. Martin’s Essentials as associate publisher. She was previously publisher at Sounds True. Sarah Stanton has joined as executive editor. She was previously editorial director at Sounds True. Sahar Al-Nima has joined as associate editor. She was previously associate editor at Sounds True.
At Bloomsbury Children’s, Bree Martinez has joined as a senior publicist. She was previously at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press brings on Maxine Shen as editor. She was most recently content acquisition lead at Radish Fiction.
At the Grove Atlantic, Meghan Jusczak has joined as senior publicist. She was previously at Pegasus Books. Alex Osmond has joined as assistant to the publisher, working with Morgan Entrekin. He was previously agency assistant at Apple Tree Literary in London.
At Dusty Saddle Publishing, Gary Goldstein has joined as executive editor. Goldstein was previously executive editor at Kensington, where he worked for 22 years.
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In Agency News…
At Fortier PR, Courtney Link has joined as assistant publicity director. She was previously at Smith Publicity. Anna Belle Hindenlang has also joined as an assistant publicity director. She was previously at Celadon.
Agency Franklin & Siegal hires Zoe Harris as a literary scout. She was previously at Grove Atlantic and Atria. Emma Danz was promoted to literary scout in September.
CAA promotes Sydney Shiffman to agent in the books department.
Martin Literary Management promotes Kristen Terrette to senior literary manager.
Lindsay Guzzardo has launched Keystone Literary Agency, representing adult fiction and nonfiction. She was previously at Martin Literary Management.
Alicia Brooks has founded The Alicia Brooks Literary Agency. She was previously literary agent at JVNLA.
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PROMOTIONS
PRH promotes Danielle Colburn to production editor, corporate bookmaking. In the Interior Design department, Anna Knighton is promoted to assistant director, newly supporting Deb Wood at Knopf Cooks. Yunyi Zhang has been promoted to assistant managing editor for Avery/Tarcher. Random House promotes Rebecca “Tay” Taylor to editor-in-chief for Inklore. Katherine Leak is promoted to editor, working primarily for the Harmony and Rodale imprints, with the flexibility to acquire across three imprints. Leita Williams has been promoted to editor for Convergent. Erin Richards has been promoted to publicity manager. Rachel Parker has been promoted to senior publicist. Hope Hathcock has been promoted to publicist. Peter Dyer has been promoted to associate publicist. Within Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull, Elizabeth Pankova has been promoted to assistant editor at Catapult.
Within Simon and Schuster, Jisoo Leones has been promoted to associate director, sales operations. Sam Funderburg-Lentz has been promoted to associate national account manager. Alin Haberle has been promoted to production coordinator at Simon & Schuster. Morgan York has been promoted to production editor. Robert Johannesson has been promoted to senior demand analyst. Christine Dong has been promoted to demand planning manager. Promotions at Simon and Schuster Children’s include Mike Rosamilia to associate director of technology for design. Matt Adamec has been promoted to art director. Tiara Iandiorio has been promoted to associate art director. Tom Daly has been promoted to associate art director. Claire Torres has been promoted to senior designer. Avid Reader promotes Clay Smith to associate art director.
Within Hachette Book Group, Nyamekye Waliyaya has been promoted to senior production director. Lillian Sun has been promoted to senior production director, children’s books.
At Grove Atlantic, Justina Batchelor has been promoted to senior publicity manager.
St. Martin’s Essentials promotes Joel Fotinos to vp and publishing director.
Within Storm Publishing, Kathryn Taussig is promoted to publisher and director of global ventures. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the growth of Storm’s international joint ventures, publishing in translation, and rights.
Promotions at Reader Link include Evelyn Vujica to director of grocery and drug sales. Lyn Klaman has been promoted to director, space & merchandise planning. Sean Dougherty has been promoted to director, shopper marketing & performance analytics. Beno Chan has been promoted to senior production director. Cal Tondelli has been promoted to assistant general counsel at ReaderLink. Quandra Smith has been promoted to senior account representative, grocery & drug – kroger & fred meyerat ReaderLink. Cynthia Rose has been promoted to accounts receivable returns supervisor. Marisa Rigel has been promoted to co-op promotions specialist. Jennifer Reyes has been promoted to senior account representative, walmart at ReaderLink. Mark Nawrocki has been promoted to business analyst iii – supply chain.
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DULY NOTED
Quirk Books announces that as a result of the acquisition by Andrews McMeel, all union positions have been eliminated and the union dissolved as of October 1. “We’re dismayed that this has happened—we truly love the work we have done and the books we have helped create at Quirk, and the union was our effort to ensure that those books could continue being made sustainably and well,” the union stated in the announcement.
Shein, the global fashion and lifestyle online retailer, is launching a brand-new book category through a collaboration with Alibris, the online marketplace for independent sellers of new and used books. This marks Shein’s entrance into books, which coincides with the holiday season.
Calligraph is pleased to share the news that Eric Lupfer is joining the agency this week as a Principal Agent. Lupfer has been agenting since 2005. He began his career at WME and worked at Fletcher & Co and UTA before joining Calligraph. He brings to the agency’s stable a list of influential and bestselling journalists, historians, science writers, and experts across numerous fields. Says Lupfer: “I have long admired Zoë’s and Katherine’s sensibilities and the intellectual energy of their authors, books, and the team they’ve built at Calligraph. I’m thrilled to bring the authors I’m so fortunate to represent into the dynamic community of writers the agency has fostered.” Says agency partner and co-founder Zoë Pagnamenta “Katherine Flynn and I are delighted to welcome Eric and his list of prestigious authors to Calligraph; he brings a commitment to his authors, editorial acumen, a wealth of agenting experience and a terrific track record of exciting books and we look forward to having him as a colleague. He will be a great addition to our team.”
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EVENTS
November 19th
New York, NY
December 4th
Penguin Random House Winter Book & Author Festival 2025
Virtually Hosted
December 5th
Holiday Book Festival and Closeout Sale
Washington, D.C.
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.
Penguin Random House Defends Against AI Allegations
Sarah Jessica Parker and Her Place in Publishing
Publishing’s Gamble on Debut Authors
The Farmer’s Almanac’s Last Issue After 208 Years
831 Stories Approach to Romance
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.
A Conversation With Atwood on Life
Kindle’s New Translation Service
Gong’s New Dystopian Novel With AI Technology
PEOPLE
Within Penguin Random House, Random House Children’s hires Joe Hennes as editor, Dr. Seuss Publishing. Most recently, he was creative development editor of original kids’ content at Audible. Riverhead hires Laura Mucha as associate editor. She was previously assistant editor at Norton. Gabrielle Nugent has joined as publicity manager. She was previously senior publicist at Norton. Karen Lovwill be joining as vice president, director of finance and business strategy, effective November 10. She was previously senior director of finance for trade publishing at Scholastic.
Within Hachette Nashville, Jessica Breen will join as executive marketing director, taking over marketing leadership for all four Nashville-based imprints: Center Street, FaithWords, Worthy, and Worthy Kids. For Union Square and Co, Andrea Pura joins as assistant manager, publicity, reporting to Erica Gelbard. She was previously at One World.
At Macmillan, Praneetha Reddy joined as SQL server DBA, technology. Abell Rustam joined as CMDB Service Now admin, technology. Lars Sanders joined as associate director, data analytics, technology. Shaw Yang joined as senior BI developer, technology. Kara Warschausky has transferred from the retail marketing team to the Canada sales team as national account manager. Flatiron Books hires Claire McGinnis as publicity director.
At Simon and Schuster, Jennifer McDivitt, formerly director of branch locations at Politics & Prose, has joined Simon & Schuster’s independent sales team as field account manager, mid-atlantic. At Saga Press, Theresa DeLucci joins as director of marketing and publicity. She was previously at Tor Books. Lex Higbee, formerly publicity manager at Bloomsbury Children’s, has joined Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing as publicity manager. At Simon and Schuster Publisher Services, Pamela Motyka has joined as senior director.
Within Harper Collins at Hanover Square Press, Mia Council has joined as editor. She was previously at Penguin Press.
Zando brings on Alicia Kroell as senior editor. They were previously at Catapult. Amber Oliver joins as senior editor. She was previously at Bloomsbury.
At Holiday House, Sian Rips has joined as graphic novel designer. She previously worked at Harper Collins.
At Quarto, Alli Brydon joins as children’s books publisher for North America, based in London and reporting to Peter Marley.
At Harmony, Rodale, Convergent Books, Jamia Wilson will move over from Random House as vice president and executive editor, effective October 20, reporting to Marnie Cochran, vp, editorial director, Rodale Books, and acquiring across all three imprints.
Sourcebooks has hired Abigail Endler as associate director of publicity & marketing, Poisoned Pen Press. Melissa Rechter has also joined as editor for Poisoned Pen Press.
Humble Bundle has Colleen Lindsay joining as business developer, books.
Celadon brings on Staci Burt as a publicity manager. She was previously at Grand Central Publishing.
Little Bee brings on Amy Goppert as senior manager of PR & marketing. Goppert was previously at Brown Books Publishing Group.
Within A Public Space, Sabrina Pyun has joined as managing editor. She was most recently associate editor at Scribner.
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In Agency News…
At Enliven Endeavors, Calvert Morgan will join the company as senior literary agent. He was most recently executive editor at Riverhead.
Tracy Marchini has launched her own children’s literary agency, Tracy Marchini Literary. She was previously at BookEnds Literary.
Rachel Swyer has launched The Swyer Agency, a boutique literary agency based in New York City, representing fiction and nonfiction. Swyer was previously director of operations at Langtons International Agency.
Within Azantian Literary, Keir Alekseii has been promoted to literary agent.
At Daniela Schlingmann Literary Scouting, Lucie Whitehouse joins as senior scout in New York. She previously worked in translation rights in the UK and also the author of seven published novels.
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PROMOTIONS
Within Penguin Random House, Random House Publishing Group promotes Pamela Alders to director of managing editorial. Edwin Vazquez has been promoted to senior designer. Su-Yee Lin has been promoted to managing editor for Everyman’s Library. Alex Wolfe has been promoted to editor at Penguin Workshop. In roles that support Random House Children’s Books, Jake Eldred has been promoted to director, managing editorial. Rebecca Vitkus has been promoted to executive managing editor. Tom Marquet has been promoted to senior managing editor. Bess Schelper Sampson has been promoted to senior copy editor. Riverhead has promoted Glory Anne Plata to associate director of publicity and Viviann Do was promoted to associate marketing manager.
At Simon and Schuster, Cassandra Fernandez has been promoted to senior marketing manager and Amaris Mang has been promoted to marketing manager for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Atheneum, and Beach Lane Books. Remi Moon has been promoted to marketing associate. Amy Lavigne has been promoted to marketing manager on the digital marketing team. Within Simon and Schuster Children’s, Tionne Townsend has been promoted to assistant editor for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Denene Millner Books. Anum Shafqat has been promoted to associate editor for Margaret K. McElderry Books and Atheneum. Miloni Vora has been promoted to associate editor for Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum. Jin Soo Chun has been promoted to assistant editor for Atheneum. Jessica Egan has been promoted to assistant editor for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Christine Dong has been promoted to manager, demand planning. Robert Johannesson has been promoted to senior demand analyst. Morgan York has been promoted to production editor for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Alin Haberle has been promoted to production coordinator. At Scribner, Ash Gilliam has been promoted to director of marketing. Lauren Dooley has been promoted to associate director of marketing. Madison Thân has been promoted to assistant editor. Emily Polson has been promoted to editor. At Margaret K. McElderry Books, Kate Prosswimmer and Sarah McCabe have been promoted to executive editors.
Within Macmillan, Reagan Reynolds has been promoted to associate manager, sales. Amy Solov has been promoted to senior manager, sales. Imprint Flatiron Books promotes Caroline Bleeke to editorial director, fiction and Kukuwa Fraser to senior editor. Within Celedon Books, Staci Burt has joined as publicity manager.
Within Avid Reader, Amy Guay has been promoted to associate editor.
For Sourcebooks, Mandy Chahal has been promoted to director of publicity & marketing for Poisoned Pen Press. Cristina Arreola has been promoted to director of publicity & marketing for Sourcebooks Landmark and Cosmo Reads.
At BOOM! Studios, Marie Krupina has been promoted to manager, design. Crystal White has been promoted to manager, design.
At Waterbrook Children’s, Sarah Rubio has been promoted to publishing director.
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DULY NOTED
Within Simon and Schuster, Libby McGuire has been promoted to executive vice president and director of adult U.S. content coordination. She will continue to lead Atria as publisher, and will serve as a liaison between the Simon & Schuster Adult group and the company’s international units in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, along with VBK in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Within Penguin Random House, executive vice president, publishing operations Rich Romano will retire at the end of this year. He started at Random House in 1986.
Rik Kleuver will become a co-owner of the agency, Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency. In January the name will change to SBK Literary Agency. Founder and co-owner Paul Sebes said: “I could not be more delighted that Rik is joining as co-owner. . . “
Lara Lea Allen has launched Borderless Ink, which represents international IP holders, including comic studios and literary agencies as well as indie publishers. Previously, she was director, sales and rights at Webtoon.
Aevitas Creative Management has launched a ghostwriting service called Aevitas Collaboration. Agents Jon Michael Darga and Michael Signorelli will lead the division.
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EVENTS
November 3rd-7th
Las Vegas, NV
November 10-11
New York, NY
November 19th
New York, NY
November 10th-14th
Virtual Events Globally
November 7th-16th
Charleston, SC
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.
AI Book Recommendations for Library Patrons
New Literary Arts Fund has $50 Million to Give Away
5 Authors on Writing Horror Romance Novels
David Wilk on Hybrid Publishing
Simon and Schuster Sues Nelson DeMille’s Estate for $1.275 Million
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.
Stephen King’s Reflections on Screen Adaptations
Amazon Health Books Written by AI?
Author Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump
The Confining of Marketing on BookTok
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.
The Walking Club for Bookish Introverts
The Powerhouse of Publishing: Romance
Audio Book Listeners On Spotify Continue to Grow
Frankenstein Stays Relevant Centuries After Publication
