Publisher of Clarkson Potter since 2002 Lauren Shakely will step down from her positions as of the end of December. Pam Krauss, currently publishing director for Rodale Books, will return to Potter–where she worked for over 20 years until moving to Rodale in 2008–as the new publisher, starting next January.
Shakely, who as senior vice president was also publisher of Potter Craft, Potter Style, and Watson-Guptill, is praised by Crown president Maya Mavjee as “the driving force behind the phenomenal success of Clarkson Potter and its associated imprints…renowned throughout our industry and beyond for her impeccable good taste, astute judgment, and marketplace savvy.” Shakely has been with the company since 1987, and became editorial director in 1992.
Clarkson Potter and Potter Style editorial director Doris Cooper will report to Krauss, and “for the time being” editorial director of Potter Craft and Watson-Guptill Victoria Craven will report directly to Mavjee. She says Krauss’s “mandate in her new role with us will be to further extend Clarkson Potter’s market-leading position…and to drive the continuing digital transition of our illustrated publishing program in those core categories.”