At Simon & Schuster, Brit Hvide has been promoted to associate editor.
Sarah Bloxham has left Bonnier Publishing UK, where she was publisher of Weldon Owen, and is “available for work on a permanent, contract or consultancy basis.” She can be reached at bloxham.sarah@googlemail.com.
Barbara Casey has joined Strategic Media Books as partner, and will be involved in acquisitions and company operations, and oversee book production. She also continues as president of the Barbara Casey Agency.
Jesse Aylen has been promoted to assistant editor, Crown Archetype and Three Rivers Press.
Cindy Whittemore has rejoined Alive Literary Agency as contracts director, working out of her home in New Hampshire. Previously she was senior director, contracts at Harper Christian.
The Mystery Writers of America announced that Lois Duncan and James Ellroy will be its 2015 Grand Masters. In addition, Hard Case Crime co-founder and editor Charles Ardai will receive the Ellery Queen Award, while the Raven Award goes to Kathryn Kennison, founder of Magna Cum Murder, and Crimespree Magazine founders Jon & Ruth Jordan.
Penguin Random House Publisher Services announced a multi-year extension of its expanded distribution services, which includes traditional sales & distribution and added editorial and marketing services, with Kodansha, which has partnered with PRHPS since 2010. Over the last four years Kodansha’s sales have more than tripled.