People
At Hachette Book Group, Sashi Arumugam, most recently head of distribution technology and programs at the fashion company Steve Madden, has been named VP, distribution technology and intelligence for HBG US Distribution.
At Candlewick Press, Holiday House, and Peachtree, Anna Jarzab takes on the newly created position of VP, marketing. Jarzab was most recently associate publisher for Aladdin, Simon Pulse, Simon Spotlight, Little Simon, and Boynton Bookworks.
At The New York Times Book Review, Alexandra Alter, a previous books reporter at the NYTBR, is moving to the Styles this month. Pitches and tips about industry news will continue to go to John Maher and pitches about profiles, Q&As, and By the Book will go to Scott Heller.
Within PEN America, the president Dinaw Mengestu has resigned after just seven months in the position and serving on the board for ten years. He said in an email reported by the NYT, “That decision is obviously not something I came to lightly, having remained on the board through numerous challenges.” Geraldine Baum, Chief Communications Officer also announced her long-planned resignation. She co-authored “A Silent Moratorium,” the PEN article about Jewish and Israeli authors that led to Mengestu’s departure.
At McNally Editions, Lorin Stein, the co-founder alongside Sarah McNally, is leaving the imprint to pursue other projects.
Book Advisors, a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm, has Jenn Risko joining as a partner. Previously, she co-founded Shelf Awareness, where she served as publisher.
At Artbook D.A.P. the executive director, Sharon Helgason Gallagher, is stepping down after 36 years while continuing to contribute as director of special projects, developing ideas for new publications. Jane Brown becomes executive VP and business intelligence director and Kaitlyn Cicciariello becomes VP, finance & operations.
Ten Speed Press has Anna Wostenberg joining as editor, acquiring titles in food and drink, health and wellness, mind, body, and spirit, self-help, pop culture, humor, and other lifestyle categories.
At 8080 Books, the founding editor of Microsoft’s book publishing imprint, Greg Shaw, has taken a voluntary retirement program offer to leave the company. Shaw states that he will continue at 8080 Books as a consultant.
At The Blair Partnership, Emily Barrett will become agency director, succeeding Rory Scarfe, who is leaving the agency.
In Agency News…
At The Rights Factory, Stuti Shah has joined as associate agent and associate film/TV agent, representing commercial and upmarket fiction across genres, narrative-driven nonfiction, and concept-driven books with film and TV adaptation potential. She was previously international rights administrator at Transatlantic Agency.
The Azantian Literary Agency has GiannaMarie Dobson joining as associate agent. She was previously at Neighborhood Literary.
Storyteller Talent Agency has Katilin Des Roches joining as literary agent.
At Kevin Anderson and Associates, Jessica Felleman has joined as senior editor and literary consultant. She was formerly a literary agent at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency.
Promotions
Harper Collins promotes Nina Gomez to marketing manager at Harper One. Anna Calame has been promoted to assistant editor.
At Scholastic, promotions include Sarah Shumway to executive editorial director and Alex Borbolla to executive editor. Abigail Jordon has been promoted to publicist.
Crown promotes Jessica Jean Scott to assistant editor.
At Grand Central, Kirsiah Depp has been promoted to senior editor.
Vintage promotes Ellie Pritchett to editor.
At Sourcebooks, Julia Steffy has been promoted to project editor.
Princeton University Press promotes Jacob Zawa to sales and indie relations coordinator.
Chronicle Books promotions include Alex Galou to associate editor and Karah Bengs to assistant editor.
Within Artbook D.A.P, Avery Lozada has been promoted to president.
City Owl Press promotes Lisa Green to senior editor.
Duly Noted
The NYU Advanced Publishing Institute (NYU API) will run its fourth program January 6-7, 2027. They state “NYU API is a course—not a conference. It is taught by thought leaders from the highest echelons of the publishing industry, who are eager to help our audience of approximately 70 attendees expand their knowledge and return to their companies brimming with new ideas.” Early bird registration can be done here for a discounted price.
BookInsights.AI was launched by the former executive director of client development at Circana Bookscan, David Walter. Stating its purpose is “to help publishers more effectively integrate data and insights into their decision making and workflows.”
Pub Lunch reports that unions are continuing to have their moment in the book industry. Barnes and Noble employees at the Massapequa, NY store won their union election to join RWDSU Local 1102, with 85 percent voting to unionize.