In what many may view as a sign of at least temporary stability for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s adult trade lines, the unit has filled the vacant position of publisher. (Adult trade publisher Becky Saletan resigned last December and was not replaced.)
Bruce Nichols–who saw his position as publisher of the Collins imprint diminished in the reorganization at HarperCollins in February that left him as publisher of the smaller Collins reference line and executive editor at Harper–will take the role as svp, publisher of of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Adult & Reference Group on August 3.
HMH trade & reference president Gary Gentel says, “Nichols is widely recognized in the industry for his leadership, innovation and keen editorial judgment, and his ability to find topics and writers that attract national attention. We want to build on our legacy, but also look to the future, and I’m thrilled to have Bruce guide our Adult and Reference programs.” And he adds, “In a happy historical coincidence, it turns out Bruce’s grandfather, Stephen W. Grant, spent his entire career at Houghton Mifflin, from 1931-1973, serving as the company’s president from 1963 – 1973.”
In other personnel news:
At Pan Macmillan, publishing director Jeremy Trevathan has been promoted to fiction publisher. He will now oversee the Macmillan, Pan and Tor imprints. The Bookseller says he will “also assume responsibility for the company’s adult rights department when Margaret Halton leaves at the end of the month.”
At Random House UK, Sophie Lazar has been promoted to editorial director, for Random House Books and Business Books.
Author, freelance editor and former high school teacher of geography and information technology Geoff Nelder will take over as publisher of BeWrite Books.
Also in the UK, the Bookseller reports that Lucas Alexander Whitley agent Philippa Milnes-Smith is taking a leave of absence from the presidency of the Association of Authors Agents “due to illness.” David Higham Associates’ Anthony Goff will serve as acting president of the organization.
In distribution news, Consortium has announced the signing of five new publisher clients for the fall 2009 season: Busted Flush Press, Exterminating Angel Press, Kube Publishing Ltd, Polhemus Press, and the recently-announced start-up Tyrus Books.