John Hawkins, who owned and operated the literary agency John Hawkins & Associates, died November 13 at the age of 72. The cause of death was not immediately available. Hawkins joined Paul R. Reynolds Inc., established by his wife’s grandfather, in 1966, became president of the agency in 1980 and changed its name to John Hawkins & Associates in 1985. Among his current and former clients are James Clavell, Alex Haley, Gail Godwin, E. Lynn Harris, Thomas McGuane, Harry Crews and Joyce Carol Oates, who said in a statement that Hawkins “was a beloved friend to his writers, warmly sympathetic, supportive and shrewd in his judgments, gifted with a wonderful sense of humor. He was both gentlemanly and totally contemporary. And he loved books both as reading experiences and works of art.”
Anne Alexander has been named to the new position of svp and editorial director of National Geographic’s Books division, reporting to evp and chief creative officer Melina Gerosa Bellows. Alexander will oversee all aspects of editorial development for the division’s general trade, direct response and digital books. She has been a consultant to the group since October 2010. Also in the books division, Jennifer Thornton is being promoted to director of managing editorial, and Susan Blair moves up to director of photography.
Sulay Hernandez has joined Other Press as editor, concentrating on literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Previously she was at Touchstone. In addition, Marjorie DeWitt has been promoted to assistant editor.
The Mystery Writers of America has named Martha Grimes as its 2012 Grand Master. Grimes, author of the Richard Jury and Emma Graham series, will receive her honor at the Edgar Awards on April 26, 2012. In addition, M is For Mystery in San Mateo, CA and Molly Weston of Meritorious Mysteries will receive the Raven Award, while Joe Meyers, mysteries reviewer for the Connecticut Post, will receive the Ellery Queen Award.