Arabella Stein is stepping down as co-director of Abner Stein after a leave of absence to “pursue a new direction”, the Bookseller reports. Stein began at Abner Stein in 2002 and moved up to co-director in 2011 after the death of her father (and the agency’s founder & namesake). Sandy Violette and Caspian Dennis will remain as co-directors, and said in a statement: “We would also like to thank Arabella wholeheartedly for her contribution to the agency. We will of course miss Arabella but fully support her decision, and wish her every happiness and success in the next stage of her publishing career.”
The Crown Publishing Group announced a number of promotions in its marketing department. Christina Foxley has been promoted to senior marketing anager, Harmony Books, while Carly Gorga moves up to senior marketing manager, Clarkson Potter, Potter Style, and Potter Craft. Kevin Sweeting is promoted to assistant marketing manager, Clarkson Potter, Potter Style, and Potter Craft, while Jessica Prudhomme moves up to marketing manager, Crown, Hogarth, and Broadway Books. Finally, Ellyn Russo is promoted to associate, Ad Promo.
Joel Needler has joined Thomas Nelson imprint W Publishing as associate publisher. Previously he was lead agent at Alive Communications.
Miriam Chotiner-Gardiner has won the 2014 Ashmead Award, which recognizes emerging talent in the publishing field. She is an associate editor at Crown.
Jane Lee has joined Little, Brown Books for Young Readers as associate manager of digital marketing and social media. Previously she was online marketing associate at Grand Central. In addition, Swetlana Keselman will join as subsidiary rights associate on June 30. Previously she was subsidiary rights associate in Hachette’s adult rights group, where she worked on domestic rights for Grand Central, FaithWords, and Center Street Publishing.
Daniel Handler will host the National Book Awards ceremony on November 19.
Following on two rounds of grants to US-based independent bookstores, James Patterson is now donating £250,000 (in grants between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds) to bookshops across the UK and Ireland.