George Gibson, whose job as publishing director at Bloomsbury US is being eliminated, will join Grove Atlantic as executive editor in January. CEO Morgan Entrekin says in the announcement that “everyone at Grove Atlantic is thrilled.” He notes, “George is admired here and around the world as a brilliant, gracious, passionate publisher and editor. His independent publishing experience at David Godine, Walker and Bloomsbury makes him a perfect fit for us. In addition, George is a longtime friend and I’m excited to welcome him as a colleague.” Gibson adds, “I have such longstanding admiration for Morgan and his colleagues, for the books they publish, and for the way they publish them. To have that chance now [to work for them] feels like enormous luck, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Roger Hobbs, 28, author of the thrillers GHOSTMAN and VANISHING GAMES, died of an overdose on November 14 in Portland, OR. Gary Fisketjon, Hobbs’ editor at Knopf, said in a statement: “This is a shocking, tragic loss. Roger accomplished so much as a writer in so little time, and his future was sure to be extraordinary in ways we’ll now never know. And as his friend I’m doubly devastated.”
Harlequin announced a number of promotions on the editorial side. Nicole Brebner has been promoted to editorial director for MIRA, while Susan Swinwood moves up to editorial director for HQN Books and Graydon House Books. Natashya Wilson has been appointed editorial director, Harlequin TEEN, and Erika Imranyi moves up to editorial director, Park Row Books. Finally, Reka Rubin has been promoted to director, subsidiary rights and Harlequin Audio.
At Sourcebooks, Cat Clyne has been promoted to editor for Sourcebooks Casablanca, while Kate Prosswimmer moves up to associate editor, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and Fire.
Paul Morris is joining the Authors Guild in the new position of vp, programming & outreach. He was directory of literary programs at PEN America.
Awards
Philippe Sands won the UK’s Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction for East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity. In accepting the award, he told the audience that he and fellow nominee Hisham Matar had agreed in advance that if either were to win, they would share the prize and donate it to a refugee charity.” He commented, “In these trying times we feel that we could all come together to make a real difference. From conversations this evening I understand that some of the Baillie Gifford partners would like to match this from their own personal funds, and that Stephanie Flanders will also be donating her honorarium for chairing the prize. My thanks to them all.”
If all goes well, tonight’s National Book Awards will be livestreamed starting at 7:40 from their Facebook page as well as from the NBF website.