Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 04/21-4/26

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.

Get Ready to Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day This Weekend!

Will Follow Counts Equal Bestsellers?

The Literary Pope Laid to Rest

Where Does Supreme Court Stand on BookBan Case?

From Harry Potter to Politcal Hot Takes- JK Rowling’s Journey

People Round Up, Late April, 2025

PEOPLE

At Penguin Random House, Iria Alvarez joins PRH Audio  as VP, director, global audio strategy. She previously worked on the global strategy team. At Ballantine Books Group, Lizzie Poteet joins Dell as senior editor, reporting to editorial director Shauna Summers. At PRH Christian Publishing Group Nicole Grimes joins the creative services team as senior designer, adult jacket program. She was previously at Tyndale House. At Random House Children’sJasmine Daniel has joined as production associate. Most recently she was curation manager at Paramount.

At Simon & Schuster Bree Martinez has joined as publicity manager for Simon & Schuster Children’s. She was most recently a senior publicist at Crown Publishing Group. Ashtin Ballard has joined as publicity manager for  Simon Element and Simon Acumen. Previously she was senior publicist at Fortier Public Relations. Ivy Quirk is joining Simon & Schuster as field account manager for the Northern California region, effective April 21. She was previously with Bookshop Santa Cruz for over 10 years. She will be taking over for Cheri Hickman, who is moving to the new role of new accounts and backlist specialist.

At Hachette Book Group, Kathleen Quinlan joins Little, Brown and Company as director of marketing, reporting to Kayleigh George.

Chronicle Books has shuttered Chronicle Chroma, its pop culture and visual arts imprint. According to reports from Publishers Lunch three employees associated with the imprint will be leaving.

At Abrams, Morgan Hillman has joined as senior sales director, indies, school & library, and wholesale. Grace Ball has joined as associate managing editor. Andy Weiner is now the director, indie bookstore channel and Ingram.

Andrew Smith will join Candlewick, Holiday House, and Peachtree, as SVP and publisher. He previously was the SVP and publisher at Abrams Children’s. Sarah Howard Parker has joined as publicist. Parker previously worked as director of operations and outreach at the Boston Book Festival.

At Bloomsbury, Meghan McCullough has joined as an editor. She was previously at Inkyard Press.

At Open Road  Jennifer Olsen will join as VP, managing editorial and publishing operations. She has been consulting with the company on workflow and metadata after 13 years at Penguin Random House scaling digital product, production, meta data and copy.

OverDrive has Renee Davenport joining the company’s first VP of education, leading OverDrive’s strategy to “expand digital access in schools, deepen engagement with educators, and support literacy outcomes for all students.” She was previously VP and general manager of education partnerships at Learning Ally.

At Publishing Perspectives Hannah Johnson is leaving her role as publisher for a role at Veristage. Johnson helped found Publishing Perspectives in 2009. Erin L. Cox will return to the publication to succeed Johnson as publisher. Cox will add this role to her current role as publisher of the Words & Money.

At the University of North Carolina Press, senior executive editor Mark Simpson-Vos will retire on June 30, after 27 years at the press. Matthew Somoroff will join as project editor on May 5.

At Bookends Ana Ban has joined as global rights director.

Neal Thompson has joined as publisher of Orion Magazine, . He is an author, journalist, editor, and literary arts founder. Donovan Arthen, who has been serving as interim executive director for the last year, will remain on staff and return to his previous role as chief of finance, operations.

At AAP Lucy Grace Noyola has joined as deputy general counsel, reporting to Terry Hart. She was at the Department of Justice, where she led IP trials on behalf of federal agencies. Prior to that, she was counsel at Oppenheim + Zebrak.

At Andrew McMeel Publishing Kate Zimmerman has joined as executive editor. She was previously executive editor at Union Square Books.

Two Dollar Radio was acquired by Seven Stories Press and will continue to run as an imprint. Two Dollar Radio co-founder Eric Obenauf joins Seven Stories as publisher of the imprint. Co-founder Eliza Wood Obenauf will work on special projects. Penguin Random House Distribution will sell and distribute in the US, Canada, and globally, starting Jan 1, 2026, moving from Ingram. Brett Gregory will become the publicity and marketing coordinator of the imprint and select Seven Stories titles.

At The Censored Press, Andy Lee Roth becomes editor-at-large, for Project Censored, focused on producing the annual State of the Free Press and developing new titles for Project Censored’s imprint. Mischa Geracoulis has been named managing editor of the Project and of the Censored Press imprint.

 

At Grove Atlantic Sophie Pugh-Sellers has joined as assistant editor, working with George Gibson and Peter Blackstock. She was previously a literary agent at The Gernert Company.

 

At Oxford University Press, Morgan Jones has joined as editor in politics. She was previously at Bloomsbury.

___

In Agency News…

At Azantian Literary Agency Shelly Romero joins as associate agent. She was previously the senior editor at ChooseCo.

At the Grand Agency, Elisabet Brannstrom has joined as literary agent. Previously she was a consultant at Daniela Schlingmann Literary Scouting.

The Waxman Literary Agency has changed its name to WLA Books. Susan Canavan has been named editorial director, agent and Ashley Lopez has been named director of subsidiary rights, agent.

Writers House has promoted Sasha Landauer to agent.

The Unter Agency Krista Van Dolzer has joined as literary agent. She has been a middle grade novelist and query contest host.

___

PROMOTIONS

At Penguin Random House, Carly James and Annie Odders have been promoted to assistant editor at Berkley.

At Simon & Schuster, Savannah Breckenridge has been promoted to marketing manager at Saga Press.

At HarperCollins Sophia Kaufman has been promoted to associate editor for Harper and Harper Perennial.

Macmillan Publishers has promoted Giselle Gonzalez to senior publicist at Tor Publishing Group.

At Harlequin, Stacy Boyd has been promoted to executive editor. Kathryn Lye has been promoted to senior editor, Harlequin Heartwarming. Charlotte Ellis has been promoted to senior editor, Harlequin Romance and Medical Romance. Former senior editor of those series, Sheila Hodgson, will be focusing on author management. Erin Toma has been promoted to associate editor. Katixa Espinoza has been promoted to assistant editor for Harlequin Special Edition.

At Sourcebooks the following editorial promotions were made: Shana Drehs was promoted to VP, editorial director for Sourcebooks Landmark and Sourcebooks Nonfiction. Christa Desir was promoted to VP, editorial director for Bloom Books and Sourcebooks Romance, and Anna Michels was promoted to senior editorial director of Sourcebooks Nonfiction and Poisoned Pen Press.  Mary Altman was promoted to assistant editorial director, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Jenna Jankowski was promoted to assistant editorial director, Poisoned Pen Press, and MJ Johnson was promoted to assistant editorial director.

At Abrams, Natasha Martin has been promoted to publicity director, food & lifestyle. Laura Dozier has been promoted to editorial director, food & drink, for the adult division. Talia Behrend-Wilcox has been promoted to director, subsidiary rights, brands, and audio. Beatriz Milander has been promoted to school & library marketing coordinator. Darilyn Carnes has been promoted to art director. Heesang Lee has been promoted to senior director. Micah Fleming has been promoted to art director, children’s. Madeline Morales has been promoted to designer, children’s. Jodi Wong has been promoted to assistant managing editor. Bethany Favolise has been promoted to assistant editor, calendars.

At Open Road MacKenzie Stuart has been promoted to senior editor on the content team. She will be taking over the management of Early Bird Books site content, The Reader newsletter, and continuing to oversee The Archive .

___

DULY NOTED

As of April 8, Publishers Weekly is now charging $25 for every book submitted for review consideration, unless publishers purchase a license starting at $950.

Children’s author  Jean Van Leeuwen, best known for her Oliver Pig series, died at 87 following a battle with cancer.

Founder of the Lerner Publishing Group, Harry Lerner, died at 93. He retired in 1998, and his son, Adam Lerner has been the publisher and CEO since.

____

EVENTS

April 25th

BISG Annual Meeting

Apr 23-27th

Eurasian International Book Fair

Astana, Kazakhstan

Apr 24-27th

Calgary Expo

Calgary, AB, CAN

Apr 24- May 12th

Buenos Aires Book Fair

Buenos Aires, ARG

Apr 28-29th

Bogota International Book Fair

Bologna, ITA

Apr 29-30th

ECPA Leadership Summit

Nashville, TN

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 04/14-4/18

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.

Put Down Your Phone and Pick Up The Book! 

 

George R.R. Martin Can Meet Real-Life Dire-Wolves But Will He Ever Meet His Deadlines?

 

Will Subscriptions Reign Supreme Over Traditional Publishing? 

 

New Study Reports Book Bans Increases Readership

 

From Canterbury to Fourth Wing, The Evolution of Romantasy   

 

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 04/07-4/11

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.

Could You Survive If Locked in a Bank Vault and Other Questions- Where Crime Writers Go to Fact Check 

 

Americans Want To Read So Why Don’t They? 

 

Meta May Have Used Gerry Adams To Train Ai

 

 What Does It Mean To Be A Good Author? 

 

 Will Books Become Pricier? American Readers Worry As New Tariffs Arrive 

 

The Audiobook Race and How AI May Help 

 

People Round Up, Early April, 2025

PEOPLE

Penguin Random House: Mallory Loehr will become president of Random House Children’s Books on May 1, reporting to CEO Nihar Malaviya. Loehr will also join the PRH US Leadership Team. Loehr, who is currently SVP, Publisher of the division, succeeds Barbara Marcus, who will step down after 13 years as president and publisher. 

 

Kate Medina, EVP, associate publisher, and executive editorial director of Random House will retire at the end of June. She joined the imprint in 1985 after starting her career as an editorial assistant at Doubleday.  

 

Laura Barker, VP and publisher of Penguin Random House Christian, will step down on April 15 after 22 years with the company. Editorial director Madison Trammel, executive editor Sarah Rubio, Ink & Willow VP, executive editor Susan Tjaden, and manager, publishing operations Bridget Baxter will report to PRH Christian SVP, publisher Campbell Wharton.

 

Casey Neumann has joined Penguin Random House as senior managing editor. Most recently, he was at What on Earth Publishing. Meg Conover has joined as senior editor, licensed publishing. Most recently she was director, licensing and content at Sesame Workshop. At Crown, Peter Joseph will join as VP, editorial director, fiction, reporting to Amy Einhorn, SVP & publisher, fiction and starting April 22. He was most recently the founding editorial director of Hanover Square Press.

 

At Hachette Book Group, Agustina Casal joined as VP of online and digital sales. She  was previously at Ingram. Sales VP Rich Tullis will be retiring after more than 30 years with the company. He will stay on through April.

 

Simon & Schuster, Claire Gamble has joined as a national account manager selling to Amazon. She was previously part of the digital & online sales team at Hachette.

 

At Macmillan, Katharina Gadow has joined as national account manager. Allison Gervais has joined the production team as associate director, custom publications. Ryan Munson recently joined as SVP, finance operations. Andrew Jacobs has joined as associate general counsel. Christine Marra has joined as associate director, production editorial. 

 

Yale University Press announced that Niko Pfund will become director on July 1, succeeding John Donatich, who is retiring after 22 years at the press. Pfund is currently global academic publisher and president of the US division of Oxford University Press, where he has worked for the past two decades.

 

ScholasticOlivia Lusk has joined as publicist. She was previously at Page Street

 

At Entangled, Sarah Guan has joined as editorial director of Red Tower. Guan was formerly publisher at Erewhon Books. Erin Lowrey has joined as experiential marketing director. She was previously events experiential lead at Apple.

 

Nosy Crow announced that Katie Cunningham has joined as publisher, reporting to president John Mendelson. She was most recently senior VP, editorial and associate publisher at Candlewick Press until stepping away in late 2024.

 

At Norton Young Readers, Sarah Alpert joins as senior editor reporting to publisher Simon Boughton. She was formerly editor at Algonquin Books for Young Readers.

 

Bloomsbury PLC: Heather Rabbatts will join the board on April 14 as a non-executive director. She will serve on the audit, remuneration and nominating committees.

 

At HarperCollins Christian division, Zondervan Books, Rachel Shaver joins as VP of marketing. Most recently, she worked at City On A Hill Productions and Lifeway Christian Resources.

 

Abrams announced that Hanna Day-Tenerowicz has joined as senior designer, adult design. Jason Orlando joins as director of backlist and e-commerce. He was previously director of brand & digital shelf management at Acosta Group

 

At Sourcebooks, Eliana Torres has joined as corporate attorney. Annabelle Harsch has joined as associate production editor. Mary Wheelehan has joined as associate production editor. Aubrey Clemans has joined as publicist for Sourcebook’s Landmark. Laurel Stokes has joined as strategic project manager.  Catie Gilhooly has joined as associate production editor. Amanda German has joined as manager, gift sales. Emma Matuska has joined as legal/corporate associate.

 

Chronicle Books has named Brittany McInerney as publishing director for the Chronicle Books Art & Entertainment group.

 

Center for Fiction elected two new members to its Board of Directors: Jacquelynn Kerubo Osoro and Simon & Schuster senior editor Yahdon Israel.

 

New World Library, editorial director Georgia Hughes is retiring after 26 years. Jason Gardner will succeed her as editorial director. Noelle Armstrong has joined as acquisitions editor and will report to Gardner.

 

Globe Pequot acquired Waterford Press from its co-founder, Jill Kavanaugh on April 1. Additionally, the company’s sales and distribution will transfer from NBN to Simon & Schuster effective September 1.

 

Ingram Content Group: Jacqueline Sells joins as VP of sales and business development, international, leading Ingram’s Lighting Source business for all markets outside of North America. She was previously sales director at DK UK. Sells succeeds David Taylor who has held the role since 2003 and is retiring in June.

 

BOOM! Studios, Andy Schmidt will join as editor-in-chief, starting April 7. He was most recently director of IP development and brand design at Hasbro. Lily Kessinger has joined as editor. She was previously at Clarion Books. Olivia Dontsov has joined as managing editor. She was most recently at Astra Publishing House.

___

In Agency News…

Eric Smith has launched a new agency, Neighborhood Literary. Rebecca Podos, previously at Rees Literary, joins as senior agent. Donovan Levin joins as associate agent.

 

At Rights Factory, Jes Trudel has been promoted to associate agent. Kate Moody has been promoted to assistant agent.

 

Westwood Creative Artists: Geffen Semach joins as literary agent, representing both fiction and nonfiction. She was previously the publishing coordinator for audiobooks at Penguin Random House Canada.

 

Assembled Media: Greg Ferguson has joined as VP, executive editor of literary IP. He was previously SVP, head of publishing at 3BlackDot and editorial director at Full Fathom Five

 

Franklin & Siegal Associates has been appointed US scout for business and self-help publisher Reverté Mangement/REM in the Spanish language.

___

PROMOTIONS

Penguin Random House: at Portfolio/Thesis/Sentine, Megan McCormack has been promoted to editor. Megan Wenerstrom has been promoted to associate editor.  Anu Roy-Chaudhury joins as associate editor. She was previously at Public Affairs. Stefanie Brody has been promoted to executive publicist. Heather Faulls has been promoted to senior marketing manager. At Random House Children’s, Cindy Johnson has been promoted to executive managing editor. Emily Hoffman has been promoted to managing editor. Kari Webb has been promoted to associate managing editor.  At Penguin Press, Lauren Lauzon has been promoted to assistant director of marketing. At Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Mark Abrams is promoted to art director, Vintage Books. Ariel Harari is promoted to designer.

Hachette Books Group, Juliana Nador has been promoted to assistant editor for Union Square & Co..

 

Disney PublishingJennifer Levesque has been promoted to deputy publisher. Adam Wilson has been promoted to editorial director, Hyperion Avenue. Rachel Stark has been promoted to senior editor. Olivia Zavitson and Elias Kotsis have been promoted to assistant editor. Monique Diman-Riley has been promoted to VP, sales & retail strategy.

 

At Macmillan Publishers, the following were promoted at Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group,Mary Van Akin has been promoted executive director of school & library marketing. Lauren Wengrovitz has been promoted to marketing manager. Jacob Sammon has been promoted to assistant managing editor. Sarah Gompper has been promoted to senior production editor. Hayley O’Brion has been promoted to associate managing editor. Kelly Markus has been promoted to associate, production editorial. Ebony Lane has been promoted to associate director, subsidiary rights.Emilia Sowersby has been promoted to associate editor at Roaring Brook Press. Kate Meltzer has been promoted to executive editor at Roaring Brook Press.  Molly Ellis has been promoted to SVP of  publicity. Carina Licon has been promoted to associate editor at Holt Children’s. Julia Bianchi, Abby Granata, and Meg Sayre have been promoted to associate designer. Naomi Silverio has been promoted to designer.  At Celadon, Ryan Doherty has been named VP, editor in chief. Christine Mykityshyn has been named executive director of publicity. 

 

 At Holt, Catryn Silbersack has been promoted to publicity manager. At St Martin’s Publishing Group, Michael Storrings has been promoted to SVP, executive creative director. Lauren Riebs has been promoted to associate managing editor. Meghan Harrington has been promoted to senior publicity manager. Kelly South has been promoted to associate publicist. Lance Ehlers has been promoted to senior designer. Marissa Sangiacomo has been promoted to director, marketing & advanced reader engagement. Amelia Beckerman has been promoted to manager, marketing. Kejana Ayala has been promoted to associate manager, marketing. Althea Mignone has been promoted to associate, marketing. Kelly Stone has been promoted to associate editor. Samantha Havela has been promoted to domestic rights associate. At Tor Publishing Group, Alexis Saarela has been promoted to director of publicity. Laura Etzkorn has been promoted to publicity manager. Libby Collins has been promoted to publicity manager. Mal Frazier has been promoted to assistant editor. Stephanie Sirabian has been promoted to director of advertising and promotion. Megan Barnard has been promoted to creative director, advertising and promotion. Amy Sefton has been promoted to manager, design. Valeria Castorena has been promoted to marketing associate.  At FSG, Milo Walls has been promoted to editor. Sophie Albanis has been promoted to production editor. Caitlin Cataffo has been promoted to marketing manager. Sarah Haeckel has been promoted to senior publicist, Picador

 

HarperCollins: Mike Bzozowski has been promoted to assistant general counsel. Alexa Frank has been promoted to editor at HarperVia.

 

The Globe Pequot Publishing Group has promoted its longtime chief operating officer, Bob Marsh, to president.

 

Sourcebooks: Keri Haddrill has been promoted to associate national account manager.

 

At Chronicle Books, Claire Gilhuly has been promoted to editor, food & lifestyle. Sara Stemen has been promoted senior managing editor, Princeton Architectural Press. Maddy Wong has been promoted to editor, art & entertainment. Ailyn Pambid has been promoted to marketing coordinator. Tracey Vega has been promoted to associate director of sales, mass market. Zora Driscoll has been promoted to associate manager, subrights. Kathryn Libertini has been promoted to sales coordinator, key accounts. Sophia Fox has been promoted to sales coordinator, independent specialty. Angela Maclean has joined as senior manager, distribution clients. Eve Brodsly has been promoted to sales & marketing enablement project manager. Jocelyn Shratter has been promoted to sales & marketing enablement coordinator. Rachel Gelenius has been promoted to senior studio coordinator. Serena Nguyen has been promoted to contracts and permissions coordinator.

 

Page Street Publishing has promoted Jane Horowitz to associate director of publicity and marketing for kids and YA.

 

Independent Publishers Group: Brad Fish has been promoted to library & education sales manager. Travis Hale has been promoted to field sales manager. Mai Yang has been promoted to associate staff accountant. Julianne Ziegenhorn has been promoted to digital production coordinator. Natalie Fry has been promoted to senior operations specialist. Stefani Szenda has been promoted to marketing manager. Shantel Butler has been promoted to customer service coordinator. Ashley Santucci has been promoted to operations coordinator.

 

At Entangled, Molly Majumder has been promoted to distribution and production manager, all imprints.

 

At Oxford University Press, Gabriel Kachuck has been promoted to acquisition editor, politics.

 

At Bloomsbury, Kei Nakatsuka has been promoted to associate editor at Bloomsbury Children’s. Hannah Bowe has been promoted to production editor.

 

Abrams, Denise LaCongo has been promoted to director, production. Larry Pakarek has been promoted to senior manager, production. Erin Vanderveer has been promoted to director, production, Abrams Children’s.

 

Holiday House and Peachtree: Melanie McMahon Ives has been promoted to production director.  At Neal Porter Books, Tova Seltzer has been promoted to assistant editor.

 

New World Library  has promoted Kim Corbin to publicity director.

 

Dreamscape Media has promoted Kassara Meek to senior manager, acquisitions and Stepha Poulin to editorial associate.

____

DULY NOTED

The Aspen Literary Festival has announced its inaugural three-day headliners including: Elin Hilderbrand, Michael Lewis, Kevin Kwan, Leigh Bardugo, Bonnie Garmus, V.E. Schwab, Jasmine Guillory, Nathan Hill, and Victor LaValle. The festival will be presented by Book of the Month on September 26-28, 2025.

 

Dominique Raccah has been named the recipient of Book Industry Study Group’s Sally Dedeck Award for Lifetime Service. The award will be presented at BISG’s annual meeting on April 25

 

Emma Lowe will become director of the London Book Fair, starting in July. Lowe was most recently head of events at Harper UK. She succeeds Adam Ridgway, who is retiring. Previous LBF director Gareth Rapley, now interim portfolio director, will oversee the Fair until July.

 

Virginia Norey, 68, who worked in publishing for 40 years, most recently as associate director of art & design at Random House, died on March 28. Her career began at Penguin Books in 1997, and she eventually moved to Bantam Dell.

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EVENTS

Apr 9-13th

Quebec International Book Fair

Quebec City, CAN

Apr 17-20th

Unbound Book Festival

Columbia, MO

Apr 22nd-24th

Prince George’s Festival of Literary Arts

Upper Marlboro, MD

Apr 24- May 12th

Buenos Aires Book Fair

Buenos Aires, ARG

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 03/31-4/04

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.

Amazon Kindle’s New Feature Uses AI to Recap Books

 

The World of Antique Books Through Patti Smith 

 

The Love-Hate Relationship of BookTok-You May Be Reading but at What Cost?  

 

NaNoWriMo Closing After 20 Years 

 

IMLS Board of Directors Wants Answers About Agency’s Future

 

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 03/24-3/28

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.

Book Slop Mountain-  Are There Too Many Books?

What Are The Most Popular Genres in Each State?

Taylor & Francis to Use AI to Translate Books

Will Simon & Schuster be Your Next Favorite 

Influencer?

The Sun Has Not Set On The Hunger Games Series

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 03/17-3/21

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.

What AI Tools Are Used to Bolster Research Integrity? 

 

Who Has The Book Industry Swooning For Romantasy? 

 

Meta Expośe Tops Bestseller Chart Despite Company’s Attempts to Ban 

 

What Happens Now? Understanding Trump’s Executive Order on Museum & Library Services 

 

The Galley Brag- The Book World’s Status Symbol 

People Round Up, Mid March, 2025

PEOPLE

At Simon & Schuster, under Scribner’s new publisher Marysue Rucci, the following reorganization has occurred: Maya Rutherford joins as VP of publicity. She was previously senior director of publicity at HarperCollins. The marketing team, led by Brianna Yamashita, VP of marketing, will report to Stu Smith. The editorial team reports to Kathy Belden. The Speakers Bureau, led by Erin Simpson, senior director, will move under corporate marketing, reporting to Wibke Grutjen, SVP and global marketing director.  Brian Belfiglio, director of publicity and marketing, has left the company. 

 

The Marysue Rucci Books imprint will continue until the end of 2025 with the Simon Element team. Moving forward, executive editor Emily Graff will acquire for both Simon Element and Scribner. Executive editor Anne Speyer moves to Scribner, reporting to Belden. Clare Maurer, senior publicity manager at Simon Element/Marysue Rucci Books, also moves to Scribner. Reporting to Rucci are Stu Smith, VP, deputy publisher; Kathy Belden, VP, editor-in-chief; Colin Harrison, VP, editorial director; and Jaya Miceli, senior art director.

 

At Simon & Schuster, Angie Tally is joining the independent sales team as field account manager, southeast.  Sonya Harris  is joining the special markets team in the newly created role of associate director of client sales. She was previously at Chronicle. Maverick Li has joined as data analyst, corporate marketing. 

 

At Hachette, Michael Shoults has joined as the newly created role of chief operating officer. Shoults will report to Matt Wright, CEO of HBGUS Distribution. Shoults was previously global head of supply chain for Heyday. Aparna Rishi has joined as executive director, consumer engagement and marketing operations, on the marketing strategy team. Rishi was previously director of consumer strategy and creative operations at Random House GroupSojourner Elleby has joined as digital and social media manager.

 

At Penguin Random House, Sara McCrea has joined as the newly created role of podcast specialist, reporting to SVP, director of publicity and strategic communications Susan Corcoran. Lydia Yadi has joined Crown as executive editor.  Kelly Taylor has joined Random House Children’s Books as associate copy editor.  Tarcher Perigee has rebranded to Tarcher

 

At Bloomsbury Jessica Redwood has joined on contracts as imprint manager, young readers

 

At Phaidon, Netta Rabin has joined as publisher, children’s books. Most recently, she served as publisher and creative director of Klutz. Megan Bennett returns to Phaidon as executive art director, children’s books. She helped relaunch the children’s publishing program in 2014. Hannah Dirgins has joined Harmony Rodale Convergent as publicist. Claire Hendrix has joined as publicity assistant.

 

HarperCollins: Darelyanel Medina has joined Amistad, HarperVia, and HarperCollins Espanol as marketing assistant.

 

At Spiegel & Grau, Emily Burns, formerly associate editor at Grove Atlantic has joined as editor. 

 

At OverDrive, Eric Miller has been hired as the company’s first director of data and information science. Most recently he served as chief strategist for EBSCO Information Services.

 

At IPG, IPG domestic sales to independent bookstores will be managed by three commission sales representative groups: Fujii Associates, Imprint Group, and Como Sales.

 

Jacaranda Books, Sareeta Domindo joins in the newly created position of publishing director. She was previously editorial director at Trapeze Books

 

At Barnes & Noble Education, Christopher Neumann has joined as general counsel & corporate secretary. Gary Luster has joined as chief accounting officer.

 

City Lights Books, Carolina Picard, formerly founder and director of Green Lantern Press, is joining as associate publisher.

 

Mara Anastas has launched a consulting firm Muse Media. Anastas previously held senior publishing roles at Open Road, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins.

 

At the University of Pittsburgh Press, Deborah Orgel Hudson has joined as marketing and sales director.

 

At Nosy Crow Katie Cunningham has joined as publisher, reporting to president John Mendelson. She was most recently senior vp, editorial and associate publisher at Candlewick Press until stepping away from that role in late 2024.

At Zondervan Books Rachel Shaver joins as vice president of marketing. Most recently, she worked at City On A Hill Productions and Lifeway Christian Resources.

In Agency News…

At Westwood Creative Artists, co-head of media rights Jake Babad and executive VP and literary agent Hilary McMahon have reached an agreement to acquire the agency. Babad will become president and Jackie Kaiser will join the agency’s board alongside Babad and McMahon.

 

At The Foreign Office, Amaiur Fernandez has joined as senior agent.

 

Elias Altman is now a partner at the Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents.

 

Patrice Caldwell has launched The Caldwell Agency after 5 years at New Leaf Literary & Media, bringing her client list with her.

 

Azantian Literary Agency, Roma Panganiban joins as literary agent. She was previously at Janklow & Nesbit

 

At Paper Literary, Kiya Evans will join as associate agent. She was previously at Mushens Entertainment

 

Former YMU Books division managing director Amanda Harris has launched her own agency, Maven Literary Management

 

At Metamorphosis Literary Agency Des Salazar has been promoted to agent.

PROMOTIONS

At Penguin Random House, Suzanne Smith was promoted to VP, executive director, subsidiary and foreign rights. Serena Lehman was promoted to associate director, foreign rights.  At Clarkson Potter, George Widmer has been promoted to associate director, advertising and promotions.  Annalisa Sheldahl has been promoted to senior designer. Nicole Block has been promoted to art director. Taline Boghosian has been promoted to senior designer at Random House Children’s Books. Rachel Tockstein has been promoted to assistant director at Harmony Rodale Convergent. Lulu Martinez has been promoted to senior director of brand marketing. Elizabeth Groening has been promoted to senior director of brand marketing. Danielle Kolodkin has been promoted to senior marketing manager. Julia Diaz-Young has been promoted to marketing associate. 

 

At Hachette, Workman Running Press Group has the following promotions at Workman: Cindy Lee, is promoted to marketing director; Amy Michelson, is promoted to assistant director of marketing; Bella Lemos is promoted to editor; Analucia Zepeda, is promoted to associate editor; Julie Perry is promoted to assistant editor; and Clare DeZutti is promoted to designer at Workman Calendars. At Workman Kids: Sara Corbett is promoted to senior art director; Keirsten Geise, is promoted to art director; and Lourdes Ubidia is promoted to designer.

At Timber Press: Makenna Goodman, is promoted to executive editor; Vincent James, is promoted to associate art director; and Kevin McConnell’s role is being realigned. 

 At Running Press, Jordana Hawkins is promoted to executive editor and licensing manager and Shannon Kelly is promoted to executive editor. At Avalon Travel, Amara Garibyan, is promoted to associate marketing manager, Devon Lee, is promoted to acquisitions editor; Suzanne Albertson, is promoted to senior production designer, and Karin Dahl is promoted to cartography associate manager.

 

At Hachette, the following promotions have occurred at Little, Brown Children’s, Jackie Engel, is promoted to SVP, deputy publisher; Margaret Hansen, is promoted to coordinator, school & library marketing; Bill Grace, is promoted to associate director of marketing; Andie Divelbiss is promoted to assistant marketing manager; Alice Gelber, is promoted to marketing coordinator; Cheryl Lew, is promoted to publicity director; Amanda Gaglione and Alexandra Houdeshell are promoted to assistant editor; Ann Dwyer, is promoted to senior designer and Elena Aguirre Uranga is promoted to assistant designer.

At Grand Central Publishing, the following promotions have occurred: Estefania Acquaviva has been promoted to senior publicist; Ian Dorset, has been promoted to assistant editor; Jacqueline Young, has been promoted to editor; Dana Li has been promoted to art director; Taylor Parker-Means has been promoted to marketing designer. 

At Forever/Grand Central Publishing: Estelle Hallick, has been promoted to senior director, marketing & publicity, Carolina Martin has been promoted senior digital marketing manager, Grace Fischetti has been promoted to assistant editor and Daniela Medina has been promoted to senior art director. Camille O’Garro has been promoted to director of contracts, head of children’s contracts. Sara Sheiner has been promoted to contracts manager. Camila Guitron has been promoted to contracts associate. Emily Hernandez has been promoted to contracts coordinator.

At Hachette Book Group, Charlotte Bryla has been promoted to director, advertising and social commerce. Caitlin Stikeleather has been promoted to assistant advertising manager. Jill Reschop has been promoted to executive director, analytics and business intelligence. Lyndsay Vasconez has been promoted to manager, title management. Stephanie Licciardi has been promoted to sales associate, account marketing.  Thomas Louie has been promoted to senior product analyst. Danger Fingerman has been promoted to director of publishing products. Rupali Sharma has been promoted to director of software engineering. Inna Geykhman has been promoted to manager of software engineering. Tanner Opalinski has been promoted to senior product manager. Tom Luke has been promoted to manager of BI engineering. Michael Segreti has been promoted to product manager. Mike Moglia has been promoted to business analyst.  Ananad Sharma has been promoted to VP of the corporate products group. 

 

At Bloomsbury, Morgan Jones has been promoted to editor. Jillian Ramirez has been promoted to associate editor. Lauren Ollehead Fries has been promoted to publicity manager. Tyler Aoki has been promoted to associate marketing manager at Bloomsbury Special Interest. Faye Bi has been promoted to senior director of publicity at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Lily Yengle has been promoted to marketing director at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Phoebe Dyer has been promoted to marketing director. Kei Nakatsuka has been promoted to associate editor and Hannah Bowe has been promoted to production editor for the US children’s trade team.

 

At Fabled Films Press, Sam Sicignano has been promoted to assistant manager of marketing and sales. 

 

At Crooked Lane Books, Mikaela Bender has been promoted to marketing associate. Dulce Botello has been promoted to marketing manager. Rebecca Nelson has been promoted to assistant editor and art coordinator. Thaisheemarie Fantauzzi Perez has been promoted to production and editorial associate.

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DULY NOTED

A new executive order has been called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This is the nation’ s only federal agency supporting libraries. The executive order reads: “the non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law”.  

 

Netgalley will release a standalone consumer marketing website called Booktrovert in the second quarter of this year.. According to a release, Booktrovert will help readers “celebrate their love of books by participating in digital giveaways, special promotions, and fun bookish activities.” Publishers, authors, and PR firms can start setting up book giveaways–which can be public or limited to certain audiences–in advance in early April. The company has reorganized its staff in anticipation of the launch Lindsey Lochner has been promoted to president, overseeing Business growth & engagement, US & international, led by Kristina Radke, who is promoted to SVP; community growth & engagement, led by Tarah Theoret; product management, led by Mary Pratt; and engineering, led by Darren Shifflett. Theoret, Pratt, and Shifflett are all promoted to vice president. Radke will also manage NetGalley’s promotional team. Additionally, Darcy Piedmonte has been named director, customer acquisition & success, reporting to Radke.

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EVENTS

Mar 20-23rd

Virginia Festival of the Book

Charlottesville, VA

Mar 26-29th

AWP Conference & Bookfair

Los Angeles, CA

Mar 26-30th

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

New Orleans, LA

March 27- Apr 7th

Bangkok International Book Fair

Bangkok Thailand

Mar 31st- Apr 3rd

Bologna Children’s Book Fair 

Bologna, IT

Top 5 Publishing Articles/Blogs Posts of The Week 03/10-3/14

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.

As Pressure Grows From Meta, Macmillan Stands with Their Author and Ex-Facebook Employee  

 

New Industry Report Finds Book Publishing Market to Expands at 5% CAGR 

 

ChatGPT Reveals New Model with Improved Creative Writing Skills 

 

Did You Hear? Spotify Announces Program to Publish Audiobooks for Indie Authors 

Mark Your Calendars for “We Need Diverse Books Day”on April 3rd