As Murdoch Books owner Matt Handbury moves into the role of ceo, the company has restructured to grow its UK-based business, while reducing title count to “on doing the best job possible on fewer books.”
Sales and marketing director Christine Jones will become managing director of Murdoch Books UK; a new marketing department under ex-Warner Music executive Mark Ashbridge which will focus on “innovative product and marketing strategies”; former art director of Penguin Australia Deborah Brash joins Murdoch Books Australia as creative director; Lynn Lewis has been appointed publisher – lifestyle; and Melanie Ostell has been appointed publisher for the Pier 9 list.
For the second time, the Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by John Steinbeck’s son Thomas Steinbeck, over control of the author’s works. The AP says the court left in place a 2010 appeals court ruling dismissing Thomas Steinbeck’s claims. Thomas Steinbeck and his niece Blake Smyle have been suing to win back control of the authors’ copyrights and a larger share of publishing royalties from the heirs of Elaine Steinbeck, the author’s third wife.
Bestselling author Leslie Esdaile (who writes as L.A. Banks) is “most gravely ill”, facing an uphill battle in a struggle with an unnamed serious illness. A Facebook message from her friend Tina Wise says Esdaile is not able to receive visitors, and her medical expenses are mounting at an astronomical rate. The message also contains further information about how to donate to help defray the costs.
Literary agent to “a who’s who of Scanadinavian thriller writers” Niclas Salomonsson is profiled in The Daily–both for his string of publishing successes, as well stormy personal episodes with former companion and author Unni Drougge, former agency ceo Emma Tibblin, and trade publication Svensk Bokhandel editor-in-chief Lasse Winkler.
Daily
Rosetta Books is launching a contest to discover science fiction writing talent, in conjunction with the ebook release of selections from the classic science fiction magazine Galaxy. The winner will receive a modest $1,000 advance and “guaranteed e-book publication as part of The Galaxy Project collection.” Judges include author Robert Silverberg.
The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for children’s books have gone to:
Fiction
Blink & Caution, by Tim Wynne-Jones (Candlewick)
Nonfiction
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin (Flash Point/Roaring Brook)
Picture Book
Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor (Houghton)
Honor Books are:
Fiction
Chime, by Franny Billingsley (Dial)
Anna Hibiscus, by Atinuke (Kane Miller)
Nonfiction
Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and Air, by Stewart Ross, illustrated by Stephen Biesty (Candlewick)
Can We Save the Tiger?, by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White (Candlewick)
Picture Book
Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night, by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen (Houghton)
Pecan Pie Baby, by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Putnam)