Publishing Trends

People Round Up, Mid June, 2024

June 17, 2024

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PEOPLE

Jonathan Shar has been named CEO of Barnes & Noble Education by the company’s board of directors. He succeeds Michael P. Huseby, whose resignation from the position went into effect on June 11th.

The National Book Foundation, has elected three new board members, bringing the board total to 23 members: Jonathan Karp, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster, Peggy Koenig, chair emeritus, Abry Partners; and Jahm Najafi, founder and CEO, The Najafi Companies.

As reported earlier, layoffs at Hachette Book Group include Little, Brown, where seven people were laid off including executive editor Ben George (who can be contacted at benjamincgeorge@gmail.com) and VP publisher Terry Adams. Hachette executive director of field sales, John Leary, left the company June 7th after 23 years. This follows a reorganization of the sales team: David Chaudhry, senior national accounts manager of CBA sales is leaving the company. Heather Hulse, manager of CBA sales administration is leaving the company. Meanwhile, Maggie Curley, formerly marketing analytics coordinator at Open Road Media, has joined Orbit as marketing manager. Nick Devaney joins as director of field sales on June 17. Most recently, Devaney was director of field sales at Penguin Random House, working on the Penguin list. Laura Pennock joins as VP of mass merchandising, wholesale, and library marketing on June 24th. She was previously at Macmillan where she oversaw the mass merchandising, wholesale, and distribution channels.

At Penguin Random House, Ben Hyman will join as editorial director for Schocklen on July 8th, reporting to Jordan Pavlin. Mari Kesselring has joined as publishing manager for Driven. .

At Simon & Schuster, Anne Speyer has joined Marysue Rucci Books as executive editor. Lesley Collins has joined as domestic rights manager and film and TV liaison. She was previously digital sales manager for the company.

At HarperCollins, Juliette Shapland, SVP, rights and permissions, will retire on July 31st after 26 years with the company. Jean McGinley will become SVP, rights and permissions, effective July 29th.

Disney has Anuoluwapo Ohioma, formerly associate editor at Penguin Workshop, has joined Freedom Fire/Disney Hyperion as editor.

New York Times Book Review, Jennifer Harlan will join as senior staff editor, focusing on service journalism about “what to read next”. She was previously at the Projects and Initiatives desk at the Times.

At Albert Whitman, Sue Tarsky, publishing director, has left the company and can be contacted at s.tarsky@btinternet.com.

House of SpeakEasy has appointed Daniel Gallant to executive director. He is a development and communications strategist for arts and cultural entities, as well as a writer, lecturer and event producer.

At Union Square & Co. Danielle Curtis has joined as editor for the health and wellness categories. She was most recently at Wiley.

At Abrams, Amanda Banci, formerly book production manager at Book of the Month, has joined as production manager. Kristina Korpus, formerly manga editor at Seven Seas Entertainment, has joined Abrams ComicArts as editor. Nate Lee, formerly administrative assistant at Writers House, has joined as assistant managing editor.

At Sourcebooks, Morgan Pfeiffer has joined as special markets sales coordinator.

Sasquatch Books, which was recently acquired by Blue Star Press, has Frances Baca join as president and Brian Hurley join as publishing director. Avalon Radys has joined as senior editor.

Entangled Publishing welcomes Sylvan Creekmore, formerly editor at Avon, has joined as senior editor.

At Nosy Crow Inc., Olivia Blackmer has joined as marketing assistant.

The University of Wisconsin Press sees Dan Crissman, formerly editorial director at Indiana University Press, join as editor-in-chief.

At Princeton University Press, Tim Wilkins, director of North American sales, will move into the newly created role of director of finance and sales.

At ReaderLink, Mark Nawrocki has joined as business analyst II. David Gorzek has joined as financial planning manager.

At Candlewick Press, Martha Kennedy is joining as assistant art director. Karen Menzie, formerly director of sales at Zibby Books, is joining as senior national account manager to Amazon.

Choose Your Own Adventure, Lizzi Middleman has returned as marketing director. Middleman started her career in publishing at Chooseco over a decade ago and has since worked at Hachette Book Group.

Poets & Writers, Jared Jackson has joined as director of programs and partnerships. He was previously program director, literary programs and emerging voices at PEN America.

At Books-A-Million, Courtney Adair joins as general counsel, reporting to president and CFP Todd Noden.

In Agency News…

At KT Literary, Kait Feldman has joined as an agent. Chelsea Hensley has been promoted to agent. Lauren Symonds has been promoted to senior agent.

At Creative Artist Agency, Michael Johnston has been promoted to agent in the books department. Tia Ikemoto has been promoted to agent in the books department. Julie Flanagan has been promoted to agent in the books department. Kelly Berger has been promoted to motion picture literary agent.

At Stimola Literary Studio, Hillary Godwin, formerly submission reader for Roaring Brook Press, has joined as literary agent assistant.

Aitken Alexander Associates, Harriet Moore will join June 17th. She was previously at David Higham Associates.

At Aevitas Creative Management UK, The Viney Agency founded by Charlie Viney has merged with ACM UK. Jack Ramm joins as agent. He previously ran his own agency, Ramm Studios. Jon Michael Darga has been promoted to senior agent.

At Kevin Anderson & Associates, Heather Schroder has joined as director of talent, VP, managing and growing KAA’s network of writers. Her agency, Compass Literary, will continue to operate as its own entity.

CookeMcDermid Literary Management, founding partner Sally Harding is retiring. She started The Harding Agency in 2005 and merged with The Cooke Agency in 2017.

PROMOTIONS

At Penguin Random House, Casey Moses has been promoted to assistant art director. Bessa Zenebework has been promoted to senior manager, advertising. Tricia Ryzner has been promoted to senior manager, advertising. Jordan Bishop has been promoted to senior associate, audience engagement. Kortney Hartz has been promoted to publishing manager. Lauren Appleton has been promoted to executive editor of Tarcher Perigee.

At Hachette Book Group, Saimah Haque is promoted to senior director of consumer marketing. Medina Cekovic will be moving into the newly created position of ecommerce marketing manager.

At Abrams, Rebecca Kaplan has been promoted to VP and editor-in-chief. Hema Sukhram is being promoted to royalty manager.

HarperCollins has promoted Meghan Deans to executive director of marketing at Ecco. Jacob Surpin has moved over as senior editor. Surpin was previously at Tarcher Perigee.

At Rizzoli International Publications, Tina Persaud, previously editorial director for Laurence King, has been appointed associate publisher of Rizzoli UK, starting in August.

At Scholastic MacKenzie Kurtzner has been promoted to planning coordinator.

At Sourcebooks, Raquel Latko has been promoted to associate director of sales, mass merch adult, managing sales and distribution strategy for adult titles into Readerlink accounts. Jess Elliot has been promoted to associate director of sales, mass merch kids, managing sales and distribution strategy for kids and YA titles into Readerlink accounts. Christina Noriega has been promoted to director of special markets and gift sales and will prioritize new business opportunities.

Sasquatch Books has promoted Tony Ong to art director. Anna Goldstein has been promoted to executive art director. Peggy Gannon has been promoted to senior production manager.

Chronicle Books has promoted Carlee Boomer to distribution client sales coordinator.

Candlewick Press has promoted Ainslie Campbell-Schwartz to associate editor.

John Hopkins University Press has promoted Kelly Hannagan to senior digital marketing manager. Kait Howard has been promoted to publicity director.

At ReaderLink, Will Campbell has been promoted to VP of Walmart sales. Julian Fernandez has been promoted to supply planner II.

Soho Press has promoted Lily Detaeye to associate publisher.

DULY NOTED

Authors Equity, the new publishing house that was created in March by former Penguin Random House and Macmillan executives Madeline McIntosh, Don Weisberg, and Nina von Moltke has announced its first 10 titles.

Arnaud Nourry, the former longtime head of Hachette Livre, has founded a publishing company, Les Nouveaux Éditeurs, which has entered into a first-look agreement for future editorial acquisitions with Simon & Schuster.

Anime NYC and Japan Society have come together to launch a new awards program, the American Manga Awards. It will take place on August 22nd and look to “celebrate the outstanding achievements of professionals in the world of Japanese comics”.

Jennifer Weiner announced that she is partnering with Philadelphia-based literary organization Blue Stoop to launch the Jennifer Weiner Fellowship. The fellowship will award $5,000 and mentoring opportunities to six emerging women prose writers in the US. Recipients will include “at least two writers of color, at least two parents, and at least two writers living in the greater Philadelphia area”.

EVENTS

June 19th-23rd

Beijing International Book Fair

Beijing, CNCC

June 23-26th

BookCamp 2024

Newark, NJ

June 27th – July 2nd

ALA Annual Conference

San Diego, CA

July 4-7th

Anime Expo

Los Angeles, CA

July 11-13th

Romance Slam Jam

Online

July 13-14th

New York City Poetry Festival

Governors Island, NY

July 17th-23rd

Hong Kong Book Fair

Posted in Book View • Tagged Abrams, Abrams ComicArts, Aevitas Creative Management UK, Aitken Alexander Associates, Albert Whitman, Amazon, American Manga Awards, Anime NYC, Arnaud Nourry, Authors Equity, Barnes & Noble Education, Ben George, Blue Stoop, Books-A-Million, Brown, Candlewick Press, Choose Your Own Adventure, Chooseco, Chronicle Books, Compass Literary, CookeMcDermid Literary Management, Creative Artist Agency, David Higham Associates, Disney, Don Weisberg, Ecco, Entangled Publishing, Freedom Fire/Disney Hyperion, Hachette Livre, HarperCollins, House of SpeakEasy, Indiana University Press, Japan Society, Jennifer Weiner Fellowship, John Hopkins University Press, Jonathan Karp, Jonathan Shar, Kevin Anderson & Associates, KT Literary, Les Nouveaux Éditeurs, Little, Macmillan, Madeline McIntosh, Marysue Rucci Books, Month, National Book Foundation, New York Times Book Review, Nina von Moltke, Nosy Crow, Octopus Publishing Group, Pen America, Penguin Random House, Penguin Workshop, Poets & Writers, Princeton University Press, Ramm Studios, Readerlink, Rizzoli International Publications, Rizzoli UK, Roaring Brook Press, Sasquatch Books, Schocklen, Scholastic, Seven Seas Entertainment, Simon & Schuster, Soho Press, Sourcebooks, Stimola Literary Studio, Tarcher Perigee, Terry Adams, The Cooke Agency, The Harding Agency, The Najafi Companies, The Viney Agency, Times, Union Square & Co., University of Wisconsin Press, Writers House, Zibby Books

People Round Up, Early June, 2024

By PT Editors

June 3, 2024

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PEOPLE

Bloomsbury Publishing announced that Daniel Bean, formerly US manager at Cambridge University Press, is joining as sales director, US academic and professional on July 1st. Elena McAnespie joins as academic marketing and publicity director. She was head of sales and marketing at University of California Press until 2021, when she started her own consulting firm.

Macmillan Publishers welcomes Kaustubh Kamat as SVP of technology. Kaitlyn Connors joins as sales assistant, special markets, and trade sales.

At Hachette Book Group, Cara Bedick, previously editorial director of Chronicle Prism has joined Little, Brown Spark as executive editor.

Penguin Random House announced the return of Jennifer Ridgway to the Crown Publishing Group as director of marketing sales. Mor Mezrich has joined Penguin Random House Audio as senior audio engineer. Katie Dutton, previously associate manager for middle grade marketing at Scholastic, has joined Random House Children’s Books as manager for school and library digital marketing.

At Bindery Books, Shira Schindel has joined as acquisitions director. She was formerly the head of acquisitions at Blackstone Publishing until 2023, when she started her own consulting firm. CJ Alberts has joined as marketing manager. Charlotte Strick has joined as creative director.

Pushkin Press UK, which recently bought Steerforth Press, announced that Zandra Rose has joined as an associate manager for marketing and publicity. Meanwhile, Steerforth co-founder, Chip Fleishcer, will remain as a senior editor.

Seminary Co-op Bookstores announced that Jeff Deutsch has stepped down as executive director.

At Urano Publishing, Suzy Swartz has joined as acquisitions editor.

Haymarket Books welcomes Anne Rumberger, formerly sales and marketing director at Verso Books, as sales and marketing director.

In Agency News…

At Folio Literary Management, Veronica Meliksetian joined Folio Jr. as literary and operations assistant.

PROMOTIONS

Penguin Random House has promoted Alyssa Adler to publicity manager at Avery & TarcherPerigee. Lillian Ball has been promoted to assistant director of publicity at Avery & TarcherPerigee. Katie MacLeod-English is being promoted to associate marketing manager at Avery Books & TarcherPerigee. Neda Dallal is being promoted to senior marketing manager at Avery Books & TarcherPerigee. Nick Martorelli has been promoted to senior executive producer at Penguin Random House Audio. Jessie Stratton is being promoted to associate marketing manager at Penguin Press. Heather Palmer has been promoted to associate managing editor at Penguin Random House Audio. Benny Goldmintz has been promoted to managing editor at Penguin Random House Audio. Natalie Capogrossi has been promoted to senior manager for school marketing at Random House Children’s Books.

Macmillan Publishers has promoted Diandra Dinanath to manager of human resource information systems.

Hachette Book Group has promoted Kirsiah Depp to editor at Grand Central Publishing. Kelsey Horton has been promoted to executive editor at Delacorte Press. Sara High has been promoted to the newly created role of VP and director of international and Canada sales.

HarperCollins Publishers has promoted Clare Vaughn and Caitlin Johnson to editor. Sara Schonfeld, Carolina Mancheno Ortiz, and Elizabeth Agyemang have been promoted to senior editor. Carlos Rosario has been promoted to director of content creation and video strategy for Morrow and HarperCollins Children’s Books. Sam Fox has been promoted to senior director of content creation and social media strategy for Morrow and HarperCollins Children’s Books. Danielle Bartlett has been promoted to senior director of publicity at the Morrow Group.

Peachtree Publishing Company has promoted Zoie Konneker to assistant editor at Peachtree and Peachtree Teen.

The University of North Carolina Press has promoted Dawn Durante to editorial director.

Sounds True has promoted Sahar Al-Nima to assistant editor. Sarah Stanton has been promoted to editorial director.

Angry Robot and Datura Books have promoted Caroline Lambe to publicity manager.

Fox Channel Publishing has promoted Erin Turner to associate publisher and editorial director.

DULY NOTED

Bloomsbury Publishing has acquired Rowman & Littlefield, this marks the largest acquisition by Bloomsbury to date at $83 million. The asset sales does not include the Rowman & Littlefield’s other businesses including Globe Pequot (with the exception of the Applause and Backbeat imprints), its trade publishing arm, Sundance-Newbridge, its K-8 education business and National Book Network (NBN), or its trade distribution business. 

Florence Minor, best known for numerous picture book collaborations with her husband, illustrator Wendell Minor, died on May 21 after a battle with ovarian cancer; she was 74.

Polis Books – the New York based indie press has closed its doors after 11 years. The press maintained a backlist of 171 books over its tenure which has now been dispersed amongst Bloodhound Books, Open Road Integrated Media, and Datura Books.

EVENTS

May 31st- June 16th

Madrid Book Fair

Madrid, SP

June 5-9th

Bronx Book Festival

Bronx, NY

June 9th

Albany Comic Con

Albany, NY

June 13-16th

Nantucket Book Festival

Nantucket, CT

June 19th-23rd

Beijing International Book Fair

Beijing, CNCC

Posted in Book Reviews • Tagged Beijing International Book Fair, Bindery Books, Bloomsbury Academic, Bronx Book Festival, Brown Spark, Crown Publishing Group, indie publishing, Little, Madrid Book Fair, Nantucket Book Festival, Penguin Random House, Polis Books, Rowman and Littlefield

2024’s U.S. Book Show Attracts a Range of Industry Participants

By Lorraine Shanley

May 23, 2024

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The U.S. Book Show opened on May 22nd to an overflow crowd that represented a broader range of industry folk than most conferences do: presidents and past CEOs (like Marcus Dohle, wearing a Shimmr t-shirt, to announce his recent investment in the company); veterans like Carol Fitzgerald, president of The Book Report Network; graduate students from NYU and Pace’s publishing programs, and many agents, emerging and mid level/ publishers, media and more. Presented by PW, Association of American Literary Agents and a host of sponsors including Spotify, it was a lively, well-programmed day.

Following an introduction by NYU host and Associate Dean of NYU SPS Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts, Andrea Chambers, and AALA’s Jennifer Weltz, the kickoff panel featured S&S’s Jon Karp, Scholastic’s Peter Warwick, Abrams’ Mary McAveney and Baker & Taylor’s Aman Kochar. They covered a range of topics from the added cost of cybersecurity to the promise of audiobooks. Karp talked about the need to bring in new talent at the top, given the problems faced in marketing new titles, while McAveney talked about publishers’ focus on finding and retaining a book or series’ audience. Warwick marveled at the possibility of a book’s “virtuous circle,” from first publication to a movie or streaming series, to multiple spinoff book series and tie-ins.

In a breakout session, Overdrive CEO Steve Potash delivered a dynamic speech promoting librarians and educators as influencers. Using stats and slides, he showed that with 170 million public library cardholders in the U.S., not to mention more than one hundred thousand school libraries, there are a lot of ways to reach readers. Overdrive, which controls these markets, also hosts 25,000 digital book clubs for libraries, organizations, cities, even countries.

A discussion by Jaime Wolf, General Counsel of AALA and Hachette’s Janet Saines-Cardozo on Contracts and Copyright, focused mainly on AI and how publishers might ensure that authors’ and, increasingly, translators’ contracts disclose any use of AI. Both agreed this is a hard area to police, especially as it’s unclear where the “muscle” comes from to enforce these policies.

One of the particularly popular breakout sessions was the Young Publishing Forum, which covered finding or changing jobs, keeping up with industry moves and trends, building a network in a hybrid work

environment, and burnout. There was a lot of advice, and many questions from an eager audience. One knowledgeable insider suggested that panels such as this one ensured that the conference would attract some younger members of the industry.

Keith Riegert, CEO of Ulysses Press, gave a talk on how publishers could use AI, with very actionable advice on which platform to use for various tasks, from writing a press release to creating a contract generator to calculating a book’s net profit margin. Nevertheless, he worries that AI, which can also be used to create so much new content, “adds another substitute for things that take us away from reading. . . I’m into Al and I very much wish it didn’t exist.”

The “X Factor” panel brought agents, editors and publishers together to discuss what personal and leadership qualities are important. All agreed how lucky they were to have the careers they’ve had, and to be in this industry. Agent Todd Schuster pointed out that “showing up” and taking initiative are critical qualities, while Dawn Davis mentioned that she learned a lot from watching other people’s skills, including, when she was at Knopf, the legendary Sonny Mehta. Sally Kim thought that authenticity is key, while Dominique Raccah argue; for agility: “We’re the “yes – and” culture” at Sourcebooks. Meanwhile, when asked what makes a stellar employee, all agreed that kindness, high standards and having a distinctive point of view were important. Macmillan’s Sonali Goel adeptly moderated the panel.

A panel titled “Sales Says” brought together PRH’s Kristen Fassler, Abrams’ Christine Edwards, S&S’s Gary Urda, Macmillan’s Jennifer Edwards and HarperCollins’ Kelly Roberts. The themes that emerged were how retailers expect so much more from publishers in terms of early information, useful data, robust marketing and customized plans for their specific market. Urda mentioned, and others agreed, that with so little time available to sell each title “Anything that takes the buyer off track is bad for the book.” Meanwhile, all agreed that editors can educate themselves by spending more time in stores, and asking questions of their reps.

Two panels that both younger and more established publishers enjoyed brought agents and editors together to discuss their respective approaches to books and authors. One brought seven agents and editors together, including Dutton’s Maya Ziv and Curtis Brown’s Kerry D’Agostino to discuss how to work together, with some pointed criticisms on both sides and from the audience as well. The Auction panel got into the nitty gritty of whether round robin auctions were preferable to “first bid” auctions, and why editors like preempts but most agents don’t. The publishing people talked about “auction fever,” while agents debated going for the passionate editor rather than the highest bid. Putnam’s Ivan Held did a great job moderating CAA’s Anthony Mattero, Editorial Director S&S’ Stephanie Hitchcock, PRHs’ Stacey Barney, New Leaf’s Joanna Volpe and Macmillan’s Zack Wagman.

PublishingTrends’ editors couldn’t get to all the panels, some of which ran concurrently, but all were well received, with overflow audiences. At the end of the day, Portfolio publisher Adrian Zackheim interviewed author of Your Rich BFF, Vivian Tu and even as the clocked ticked toward Spotify’s cocktail feast, attendees sat in their seats to hear how to make money while living on your publishing pay. It was an apt ending to an informative day.

Olivia Feldman contributed to this article.

Posted in Book View • Tagged Abrams, Alfred A. Knopf, Aman Kochar, Andrea Chambers, Association of American Literary Agents, Baker & Taylor, CAA, Curtis Brown Literary Agency, Dawn Davis, Dominique Raccah, Dutton, Hachette Jane Saines-Cardozo, Jaime Wolf, Jennifer Weltz, Jon Karp, Keith Riegert, Little Brown and Company, Macmillan, Mary McAveney, New Leaf, NYU Center for Publishing, OverDrive, Penguin Random House, Peter Warwick, Portfolio, Putnam, PW, Sally Kim, Scholastic, Shimmr, Simon and Schuster, Sonali Goel, Sourcebooks, Spotify, Steve Potash, Todd Shuster, Ulysses Press, US Book Show, Vivian Tu, Young Publishing Forum

People Round Up, Mid May, 2024

By PT Editors

May 20, 2024

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PEOPLE

Reagan Arthur, EVP, Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, and Lisa Lucas, SVP & Publisher, Pantheon Schocken, will both be leaving Penguin Random House. Jordan Pavlin is promoted to EVP, Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, in addition to her role as Editor-in-Chief, newly reporting to Maya Mavjee. Pavlin will now manage the entire Knopf editorial department as well as Schocken editorial. Pantheon editorial now report into Bill Thomas, EVP, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Doubleday.

Columbia Global Reports has announced that founding publisher Camille McDuffie will retire in June; Jaime Leifer, VP associate publisher of PublicAffairs/Hachette, will succeed her in the role.

Macmillan Publishers announced that Alyssa Awe will take on the newly created role of EVP, Business Development & Strategy effective June 3rd, reporting to CEO Jon Yaged. She was previously at Penguin Random House. Kaustubh Kamat, formerly VP of engineering at Dick’s Sporting Goods, is joining Macmillan as the newly created role of SVP of technology on May 20, and reporting to COO, Neil Strong.

The Untenberg Poetry Center at The 92nd Street Y announced that Lucas Wittman has been appointed executive director. He was previously editorial director of Time.

At Simon & Schuster, Liv Stratman, formerly head bookseller at Book Club Bar, joins Simon & Schuster as independent retail marketing manager. Karina Leon has joined Simon Acumen as associate editor. Kaiya Muniz has been named national account manager for Barnes & Noble. Ric Pychewicz, formerly academic sales data analyst at Bloomsbury, has joined as associate demand planning manager. Anna Skrabacz, formerly senior marketing manager at Pushkin Industries, has joined Summit Books as associate director of marketing. Luiza De Campos Mello Grijns has joined Summit Books as publishing assistant. Kevwe Okumakube has joined Summit Books as editorial assistant. At Gallery Books, Ghjulia Romiti has joined as editor. She was previously assistant editor at HarperOne and HarperVia.

At Penguin Random House, Caylee Gardner has joined Knopf Books for Young Readers as editorial assistant. Emma Leynse has joined Delacorte Press as editorial assistant. Shannon Blackbriar has joined Penguin Random House Audio as art rights associate. Amber Grell has joined Penguin Random House Audio as art rights assistant. Katie Lakina has joined Penguin Random House Audio as assistant acquisitions editor. John McGalagly has joined as director of finance at Penguin Random House Audio. Dee Santana has joined as junior financial analyst at Penguin Random House Audio.

Farah Karim-Cooper has been named director of the Follett Shakespeare Library as of October 2024. She is on the leadership team of Shakespeare’s Globe, and is also a professor at King’s College London.

Fantagraphics has announced Jacq Cohen will leave her position as executive director of communications and publicity on May 31s.

At Page One Media, Gene Taft, manager of Loyalty Books has joined as senior publicity and communications strategist.

At Hidden Pigeon Company, Tori Cook has joined Hidden Pigeon Company as SVP of franchise management. Paula Allen has joined Hidden Pigeon Company as publishing consultant.

At the ‘Beat’, Humberto Saabedra has joined the ‘Beat’ as manga editor.

Page Street Publishing, Mary Ross has joined as PR and marketing assistant.

At Nosy Crow, Jennifer Greene, formerly editor at Clarion Books, has joined as editor.

At Phaidon, Jonas Wanstok has joined as publicity assistant.

At Abrams, Ivan Taurisano, formerly assistant editor at Sourcebooks, has joined Abrams Children’s Books as associate editor, entertainment publishing and content development. Claude Williams has joined Abrams as senior financial analyst.

At Hendrickson Publishers, Robert A. Hand, formerly acquisitions editor at Kregel Academic, has joined as acquisitions editor.

At IDW, Cassandra Jones has joined as editorial assistant, focusing on the Star Trek line. Bixie Mathieu has joined as associate editor, focusing on the My Little Pony and Sonic the Hedgehog comic lines.

In Agency News…

Dani Segelbaum, formerly literary agent at the Carol Mann Agency, has joined Arc Literary Management.

PROMOTIONS

At HarperCollins, Erin Clarke, formerly editorial director at Knopf Books for Young Readers, has joined Clarion Books as VP and publisher.

Penguin Random House has promoted Dorothy Auld to associate director of sales services and administration. Ella Kurki has been promoted to assistant editor at Dutton. Charlotte Peters has been promoted to assistant editor at Dutton.

Kristin Cipolla has been promoted to senior publicist at Berkley. Stephanie Felty has been promoted to publicist at Berkley. Chantelle Walker has been promoted to assistant marketing director at Crown. Stephanie Davis has been promoted to brand director at Crown.

Macmillan Publishers has promoted Francine Yulo to marketing and sales manager at Drawn & Quarterly. Conor Mintzer has been promoted to assistant director of publishing operations at Henry Holt.

At HarperCollins, Kate O’Sullivan has been promoted to editorial director of Clarion Books. Chris Krones has been promoted to senior editor of Clarion Books. Erika DiPasquale has been promoted to editor at the Harper Group at HarperCollins Children’s Books.

At Simon & Schuster, Brandi Stewart has been promoted to independent telemarketing account manager for the western region.

At the ‘Beat’, Deanna Destito has been promoted to managing editor of comicsbeat.com at the ‘Beat.’ Rebecca Oliver Kaplan has been promoted to deputy managing editor of comicsbeat.com at the ‘Beat.’

At IPG, Winona Youngblood-Sultze has been promoted to data manager.

At IDW, Thea Cheuk has been promoted to editor leading the Sonic Hedgehog line and Saturday Morning Adventures titles. Jake Williams has been promoted to associate editor on the Godzilla line and creator-owned titles at IDW. Nic Niño has been promoted to assistant editor on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

DULY NOTED

Short story author and 2013 Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Alice Munro died on May 13 at 92.

The Firebrand Group, is launching the Publishing Innovation Forum, formerly known as the Firebrand Group Industry Conference, with the aim of “bringing the entire publishing industry together for conversations related to evolving and adapting to the book industry’s many changes,” with a focus on sales, rights and permissions, marketing, audiobooks, e-books, printing, distribution, and more. Sessions will encompass three tracks: marketing, technology, and business. The event is planned for September 24-26, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Atria Books will be relaunching Washington Square Press in Spring 2025 as a frontlist hardcover imprint focused on literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Atria’s editorial director, Lindsay Sagnette will lead the imprint.

EVENTS

May 21

International Booker Prize 2024 Ceremony

London, UK

May 22

U.S. Book Show

New York, NY

May 23rd-26th

Warsaw International Book Fair

Warsaw, PO

May 24th-June 2nd

Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair