A spokesperson for Berkley/NAL confirms that “a number of positions” at the division, which was merged into Putnam Dutton in January, have been eliminated. Other outlets and Twitter conversations indicate at least four editors and other support staff have been let go, and that title cuts at the Ace and Roc science fiction and fantasy imprints are on the way.
The spokesperson did not confirm or deny any of these changes, stating “per corporate policy, we will not identify or comment further about the specific positions or individuals affected.” PW had a short report on the cutbacks earlier today. The news comes as many Penguin Random House staff members are off to sales conference.
When the dissolution of Berkley/NAL as a separate division was announced by Penguin adult publishing president Madeline McIntosh, she wrote to employees at the time, “Berkley will remain committed to publishing in mass market paperback, as well as in other formats, while continuing to refine the size of the list in order to ensure optimum results per title.”