Akhil Sharma has won the Folio Prize for his novel FAMILY LIFE (Norton). In announcing the $60,000 prize, chair of the judging committee William Fiennes commented: “From a shortlist of which we are enormously proud, Akhil Sharma’s lucid, compassionate, quietly funny account of one family’s life across continents and cultures, emerged as our winner. ‘Family Life’ is a masterful novel of distilled complexity: about catastrophe and survival; attachment and independence; the tension between selfishness and responsibility. We loved its deceptive simplicity and rare warmth. More than a decade in the writing, this is a work of art that expands with […]
Archives for March 2015
People, Etc.
Grand Central Publishing announced a number of promotions across its imprints. At GCP, Andrew Duncan has been promoted to director, online marketing, while Linda Duggins moves up to senior director of publicity. Jimmy Franco has also been promoted to senior director of publicity while Fareeda Bullert moves up to associate publicist. At Twelve, Paul Samuelson has been promoted to deputy director of publicity, while Catherine Casalino moves up to art director. Finally, Madeleine Colavita moves up to assistant editor, Forever. At Balzer + Bray, Kristin Rens has been promoted to executive editor. Libraries Just two weeks after announcing he would […]
Scholastic Acquires Minority Stake in UK Publisher Make Believe Ideas
Scholastic announced Monday that it acquired a minority equity interest in UK-based education learning company Make Believe Ideas. The first co-branded books for children aged 0-5 will be unveiled at the Bologna Book Fair next week, with worldwide release scheduled for fall 2015. Financial terms were not disclosed. “Make Believe Ideas’ focus on early learning and creativity and its engaging product line extends our publishing program and fits seamlessly into our distribution channels at Scholastic,” said evp & president, trade publishing Ellie Berger in the announcement. “With a renewed focus on the importance of reading with babies beginning at birth, […]
People, Etc.
Jenny Todd has been appointed publisher and managing director at Canongate, with longtime publisher Jaime Byng moving up to chief executive, which will allow him a “greater focus on developing new businesses”. Of Todd, promoted from associate publisher, Byng said in a statement: [She] has played an instrumental role in the growth and development of Canongate. She brings to the role considerable skill and experience.” With respect to the restructure, Byng added: “Not only do I believe that the new structure will make us more efficient as an organisation but it will harness more fully the creativity of the team […]
Quarto Revenue and Profit Gain Throughout 2014
Quarto Group reported results for the year ending December 31, 2014, with sales up 2 percent to $172.6 million (a increase of $3.4 million) and operating profit up 10 percent to $15.4 million (an increase of $1.4 million). CEO Marcus Leaver said in the release, “In 2014, Quarto started to deliver on its potential following a year of tactical reorganization. The business has been simplified and focused and is beginning to deliver on its strategic priorities. The second half of the year was strong and this has given us momentum into 2015.” Chairman Tim Chadwick added: “We have made good […]
People, Etc.
Luke Dempsey will join Harper One as executive editor on March 23, working out of the New York office. Previously he was non-fiction editorial director at Ballantine. Camille Perri has been named books editor-at-large at Cosmopolitan, where she will serve as the point person for all books coverage, including first serial rights, excerpts, and author opportunities, as well as attend industry events as a representative of the magazine. Previously she was assistant editor and books consultant at Esquire. Emily Williams joins educational non-profit Expeditionary Learning as manager, publisher relations. Previously she was manager, digital content at Nook, and before that […]