Former Literature Director at the National Endowment of the Arts Ira Silverberg will join Open Road Integrated Media on April 22 as strategic advisor, author brands, reporting to Tina Pohlman. In his new role, Silverberg will focus primarily on backlist acquisitions for “a wide range of authors.” Jane Friedman, co-founder and ceo of Open Road said in the announcement: “Ira’s broad range of experience has given him a deep understanding of all aspects of the publishing industry and he will make an incredible addition to Open Road.”
Silverberg added: “Joining Open Road allows me to get back to the very reason I went in to publishing — to be a part of the process of getting great literature to readers. It’s great to be back in the fold, especially with my visionary friends Jane and Tina. I couldn’t think of a more natural fit. It’s as if it was destined to be.”
At Kensington, Gary Goldstein has been promoted to editorial director.
In the UK, Daniel Crewe has joined Viking as publisher. Previously he was publisher at Profile Books.
Founder and managing director of the Diagram Group Bruce Robertson died March 21 in hospital after collapsing at his home. He had suffered poor health for a number of years. Diagram is the sponsor of the Diagram Group Prize for the Oddest Title, which gave out its most recent annual award last Friday.
Nahoko Uehashi and illustrator Roger Mello are the winners of the 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Mary Anne Thompson Associates has been appointed literary scout for all adult and children’s/YA imprints of The Dutch Media Group in Holland.
Bookmasters has signed an agreement with the Wybel Marketing Group to provide sales representation throughout the Midwest region.