Maria Campbell Associates has named Mary Pender-Coplan vice-president, the first time the scouting agency has appointed someone to this position. She has been there for five years and is responsible for the dramatic rights and children’s book scouting.
They have been appointed exclusive US literary scout for AST Publishing Group in Russia; both Wahlstrom & Widstrand and children’s publisher Bonnier Carlsen in Sweden; Locus in Taiwan; Shanghai 99 in China; and Warner Bros. Television (joining longtime client Warner Bros. Pictures).
Longtime Atria executive editorial director Emily Bestler will establish an eponymous imprint, Atria Books-Emily Bestler Books, and has been promoted to editor-in-chief and senior vice president. The line will debut in spring 2011, publishing both fiction and nonfiction. Atria publisher Judith Curr says in a statement: “An Emily Bestler Book will signal to both the reader and the bookselling community that between the covers they can expect to find many hours of entertaining reading. I’m delighted to launch her new endeavor here at Atria, to salute her past accomplishments and look to many more future bestsellers from her.” Sarah Branham, who previously worked with Bestler, has been promoted to senior editor and will now report to Atria editorial director, Peter Borland. A new editor will be hired for Bestler’s imprint.
In the UK, Michael Dover will retire from his position as editor-in-chief, non-fiction for Weidenfeld & Nicholson at the end of June after nearly 30 years with the company. W&N also announced a number of promotions and changes, effective March 1: Rowland White has been appointed non-fiction publishing director, reporting to Lisa Milton, trade managing director. Amanda Harris will become deputy publishing director, with Jane Sturrock promoted to commissioning editor. Senior editor Debbie Woska will return from maternity leave in February, reporting to Harris. Nicki Crossley will become editorial assistant.
Kerry Donovan has been promoted to senior editor at NAL.
D4EO Literary Agency has promoted Kristin Miller to associate agent. A co-founder of the young adult blog YA Highway, she will work on building the agency’s young adult and middle grade client list.
At Thomas Nelson, Bryan Norman has been promoted to associate publisher, nonfiction trade group, under publisher Brian Hampton. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic list building, as well as continuing to edit key projects and acquiring new authors.
Kaplan announced “several strategic new hires and promotions” related to developing digital products and new ways of offering test prep content. They hired: Allison Risko as svp, content management and strategy (she was svp, learning services for Kaplan EduNeering); Frank Rubino as executive director of technology and user experience; and Babette Ross as marketing director (she was associate director of sales administration at Random House).
Edwina Lui now reports to Risko in the new role of information architect; Brett Sandusky was promoted to director of product innovation; and Shayna Webb was promoted to associate director of digital operations.
Harper Canada has hired children’s author and YA editor Hadley Dyer as executive
editor, children’s books. She has worked as a freelance editor, and at James Lorimer & Company, Groundwood Books, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and as a children’s bookseller.
Pam Abrams has joined the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop as director, partnership development and strategy. She was svp at Downtown Bookworks.
Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series–said to have sold 20 million copies worldwide–died over the weekend of a heart attack. He was 71. His US publisher Philomel says that the 22nd and final Redwall book, THE ROGUE CREW, is scheduled for publication in May 2011.
BBC
Agent and translator Frances Hanna, managing director of Acacia House Publishing Services, died over the weekend, at 67.
Obituary