Two more publishing veterans are joining the Open Road team. Former publisher and editor-in-chief of Bantam Dell Nita Taublib will serve as strategic advisor for romance–a role similar to the one being played by Betsy Mitchell for sci-fi and fantasy. It is the latest step in the company’s strategy of focusing on verticals, adding to their children’s line overseen by Barbara Marcus, and their partnership with Otto Penzler’s MysteriousPress.com.
Additionally, former Holt editor-in-chief (and former HarperCollins colleague of Jane Friedman) Marjorie Braman will work for Open Road as consulting editorial director. Braman will focus on digital originals (she has previously edited two such titles for the company) as well as “select backlist genres.” She will continue to run her independent literary consulting business for authors as well. Company ceo Jane Friedman says in the announcement, “We are assembling an editorial and acquisition team at Open Road filled with remarkable experience and relationships.” Friedman adds that all of these recent hires and extensions will be tied together under their new publisher following the departure of Brendan Cahill last year, to be announced “sooner rather than later.”
Heading in the opposite direction, Open Road director of acquisitions, author brands Richard Florest will join Rob Weisbach Creative Management February 15 as a senior associate. He will develop his own client list as well as contribute his editorial and digital expertise.
Sumiya Nowshin has joined Tor/Forge Books as marketing manager. She was most recently, associate national accounts manager at Random House Children’s Books.
Children’s editor at the New York Times Book Review Pamela Paul has also been named features editor. She will continue to oversee children’s book coverage as well.
Contributing writer and critic for the New York Times Magazine and Harper’s Wyatt Mason will join Yale University Press as consulting editor-at-large for the Margellos World Republic of Letters, the Press’s series for literature in translation. Mason will be responsible for commissioning up to five titles per year for the series, selecting translators and developing translations.
Former Borders ceo Mike Edwards will relocate to Boston and join Staples as evp of US retail merchandising. The company says he will “drive innovative merchandising initiatives across our US stores.” If you’re thinking of shorting the stock on the news, note that Staples is already down about 8 percent in the last week after Goldman Sachs downgraded the company to sell on January 30. Edwards will retain his previously-announced post as chairman of the board of Portland apparel company Wicked Quick Industries.
Mary Anne Thompson Associates has been appointed North American scout for Profil Knjiga d.o.o. in Croatia, covering both the adult and children’s book markets.