Books-A-Million has hired James Phelps as vp of eCommerce, responsible for “executing the vision, branding, merchandising and marketing strategy for Booksamillion.com.” Phelps has worked for retailers including HSN, Kohl’s, and Brookstone. At Red Wheel/Weiser Books and Conari Press, Kim Ehart has been promoted to assistant editor, while Michael Alexander has been promoted to production editor. Our Deal reports show the first reports from agent Anna Ghosh under her independent agency Ghosh Literary in San Francisco, though she set up the agency last year. That leaves Russell Galen as the sole principal at Scovil Galen Ghosh. In first-week sales reports, CNN laments Congressman Paul Ryan‘s […]
Archives for August 2014
People: Applebaum Takes Emeritus Role at PRH, and More
At Penguin Random House, now entering his forty-third year with the company, Stuart Applebaum will step aside from his current role and took on a position “that is as unique as he is,” ceo Markus Dohle writes: Emeritus evp, corporate communications. Claire von Schilling is being promoted to svp, director, corporate communications, leading external and internal communications, branding, and corporate social responsibility, overseeing the US communications team and coordinating global communications efforts. She will report to Dohle. Applebaum, who remains at PRH full-time, will advise Schilling and “work with our colleagues on key communications issues and opportunities.” Dohle writes to colleagues […]
Kobo Confirms October 1 Launch of Waterproof eReader
Kobo went poolside to unveil their newest ereading device, the Kobo Aura H20, which will go on sale for $179 on October 1 in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. Kobo president Michael Tamblyn says in the release: “When we asked our customers what held them back from reading more ebooks, many told us they love to read in the bath, by the pool, or on the beach, but believed that devices and water didn’t mix. As we dug deeper, we found that more than 60 percent of customers surveyed said they would love to be able […]
Briefs: NPR to Announce National Book Award Finalists; Fall Previews Begin
The National Book Awards will announce its finalists on NPR’s Morning Edition at 8:40 PM on October 15. Books & Books owner and co-founder of Miami Book Fair Mitchell Kaplan will make the announcement. Longtime co-owner of Village Books Dee Robinson will retire at the end of the week after more than 34 years. “It’s been a great job for 34 years,” Robinson wrote in a Facebook post to customers. “On to whatever awaits, starting with a pile of books!” Robinson’s husband and co-owner Chuck Robinson will stay on. Ingram will handle sales and distribution for Magnet & Steel, a […]
People, Etc.
Jandra Sutton has left Turner Publishing, where she was the head of marketing, to pursue freelance work in marketing, social media strategy, and publicity. She can be reached at contact@jandralee.com. The James Tait Black Prizes have been awarded to Jim Crace for his novel HARVEST and to Hermoine Lee for her biography PENELOPE FITZGERALD: A Life. John P. Vallier Sr., 88, a longtime Simon & Schuster executive, died August 18. He joined S&S in 1958 and retired in 1992 as vp, regional sales. One of the few Hachette titles kept its Amazon discount throughout the ongoing dispute between the two […]
People: Adjustments At Simon Pulse, and More
The Simon Pulse imprint has announced a new structure to “maximize the amazing potential of Pulse and continue to support the success of Aladdin.” Liesa Abrams is being promoted to vp, editorial director of Pulse and associate editorial director of Aladdin. But “as a result of this reorganization,” Simon Pulse editorial director Patrick Price is leaving the company. Additionally, Michael Strother is being promoted to associate editor of Simon Pulse. At Twelve, Libby Burton has been promoted to associate editor. At Macmillan, Astra Berzinskas and John Edwards have both been promoted to director, mass merchandise sales. The Saroyan Prize for International Writing has been awarded to […]