People: RHPG Decentralizes Trade Paperback Publishing, von Mehren Exits

Random House Publishing Group announced Friday that it will “decentralize” trade paperback publishing. Going forward, individual publishers and imprints will manage their own trade paperbacks, “allowing each title’s original publication team to focus on and publish the book through its full life cycle: hardcover, eBook, and paperback.” As a result of the “decentralized” restructure, svp, publisher trade paperbacks Jane von Mehren is leaving the company after more than eight years. RHPG president and publisher Gina Centrello commended von Mehren for turning Random House trade paperbacks “into a driving force in the industry with an impressive track record in a broad range of categories,” and editing books such as Jamie Ford’s HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE by Christian Lander, as well as the Modern Library program.

David Epstein joins Hachette Book Group as vp of sales for young readers. He has more than 25 years of bookselling experience, most recently as director of national accounts for Disney. (HBG takes back responsibility for distributing Disney this spring.) Chief marketing and sales officer Evan Schnittman says in the announcement, “Dave’s hiring represents the final piece in the restructuring of sales that began on the fall. We are now 100% focused on each of our core segments, with spectacular talent behind each and every category.”

At Perseus, Agustina Casal has been promoted to the newly created position of director, Constellation global marketing & communications. In her expanded role, Casal will also work closely with UK-based Faber Factory and oversee the Constellation vendor onboarding process.

Simon & Schuster has made some changes to its subsidiary rights department to align with last year’s restructuring into four divisions. Lance Fitzgerald will oversee subsidiary rights for Simon & Schuster, Free Press and Threshold, while Paul O’Halloran will have responsibility for Touchstone and Gallery/Pocket in addition to Scribner. Finally, Lisa Keim will maintain responsibility for Atria while adding Howard Books to her portfolio.

Adam Eaglin has joined Elyse Cheney Literary Associates as an agent, representing serious non-fiction and literary fiction. He was previously an agent at The Wylie Agency.

At Georges Borchardt, Inc., Kate Johnson was recently promoted to vp and senior agent.