In further executive turnover at Lagardere Publishing, ceo of Hachette Australia and chairman of Hachette New Zealand Malcolm Edwards “has indicated his desire to retire at the end of 2013, after nearly 20 years at the helm.” He will be succeeded by current sales and marketing director Matt Richell, who for now becomes deputy managing director of Hachette Australia, reporting to Edwards. He will take over as ceo of Hachette Australia on February 1, 2013, reporting to Hachette UK’s Commercial Director. From February 2013 until the end of the year, Edwards will serve as part-time non-executive Chairman of Hachette Australia, and executive chairman of Hachette New Zealand and Alliance Distribution Services. Finally, at the end of 2013, Richell will add responsibility as executive chairman of Hachette New Zealand and Alliance Distribution Services.
Leigh Haber joins O Magazine on September 17 as their new books editor (filling the role vacated by Sara Nelson when she moved to Amazon). Haber was most recently editor-at-large at Chronicle and a consultant to Blurb. Previously, she held editorial roles at Scribner, Hyperion, and Rodale.
At Chronicle Books, Ariel Richardson has been promoted to assistant editor in the children’s department. In addition, Mia Blankensop has been promoted to export sales coordinator.
The Oxford American has appointed Roger Hodge as its new editor, replacing founder Marc Smirnoff who left in controversial circumstances in July. Hodge was editor of Harper’s from 2006 to 2010, and has since published THE MENDACITY OF HOPE (Harper). “The appointment of Roger Hodge as editor of The Oxford American will begin an exciting new era for the magazine,” said Oxford American publisher Warwick Sabin in a release. “He brings impeccable literary credentials as well as a rigorous experience editing Harper’s Magazine. Roger is a son of the South, having been born in Texas and educated at Sewanee. Roger has an intuitive understanding of the unique spirit and character of The Oxford American, and he is the perfect person to shepherd it in a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.” Hodge will continue to reside in Brooklyn.