At Crown, Sarah Pekdemir has been named senior marketing manager, Crown Trade.
At Behrman House, Dena Neusner has been promoted to executive editor.
The New York Public Library will pay $2.15 million — funded in large part by a private donation — to purchase 190 boxes of Tom Wolfe‘s papers, “including drafts, outlines and research materials for his four novels and 12 other books as well as his uncollected journalism.”
As previewed earlier in the week, World Book Night US has addred three YA titles to the list of books to be given away on April 22, 2014:
Zora and Me, by Victoria Bond & T.S. Simon (Candlewick)
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews (Amulet/Abrams)
The Raven’s Warrior, by Vincent Pratchett (YMAA Publications)
Executive director Carl Lennertz said, “Sadly, the call for books for at risk teens across the country is growing, from underfunded schools to foster homes to tutoring programs, but it’s encouraging that our givers are seeing that need and want to reach out with a book.”
New York children’s book publisher Lee & Low Books has acquired Shen’s Books. Originally based in California, Shen’s started publishing children’s books in 1997, concentrating on titles that “emphasize cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.” President and publisher of Shen’s Books Renee Ting says in the announcement, “There is no better publisher I can think of to carry on the values and spirit of Shen’s Books and advance the cause of diversity in children’s publishing.”
The newly-independent David Fickling Books has a first-look deal with Scholastic for publication of their titles in the US and internationally outside of the UK. Scholastic will publish under a David Fickling Books imprint.
At the new Egmont Publishing division, Rob McMenemy has been promoted to CEO, International. (The company has put Egmont Kids Media and Egmont Magazines together in a single unit.) He notes in the release, “I am immensely proud to be leading our new International business. We are Europe’s largest children’s publisher and a vibrant and exciting business focused on providing great content. Former president of Egmont Kids Media Frank Knau has “chosen to focus on charity and board work” and will continue to work part-time for Egmont.
In the UK, Egmont Press and the Egmont Publishing Group, Books units are being combined in a single children’s publisher, Egmont Books, to be led by managing director Cally Poplak (also overseeing books in the US). Managing director of the UK’s licensed character business David Riley is leaving, though he will consult with Egmont next year.