Alex Merrill has joined Skyhorse in the newly created role of chief operating officer, reporting to Tony Lyons. Merrill was most recently group publisher at Morris Media Network. “Alex Merrill is the right person at the right time for Skyhorse Publishing,” said Lyons in the announcement. “I am confident that his strong management background combined with his entrepreneurial skills will help Skyhorse soar to the next level.”
Stephanie Abou has joined Lippincott Massie McQuilkin, where she will continue working with literary and upmarket novelists as well as select authors of narrative nonfiction and pop culture works. She had been at Foundry.
At Grove Atlantic, Katie Raissian has been promoted to associate editor, and Allison Malecha moves up to assistant editor.
At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Katherine Devendorf has been promoted to senior managing editor for Aladdin, Simon Pulse, Little Simon, and Simon Spotlight. In addition, Christina Solazzo moves up to associate managing editor of Little Simon.
Leon Heward-Mills joins Taylor & Francis as global publishing director, journals. He was previously chief executive of the Society for Endocrinology and managing director of their commercial subsidiary Bioscientifica.
Jennifer Smith is leaving Ballantine to write full-time. From now on, she can be reached at JenniferESmith@hotmail.com.
The explosion and building collapse on Manhattan’s Lower East Side last Thursday has temporarily dislocated the Princeton Architectural Press — four doors away from the explosion site, at 37 East Seventh Street. Their office has been closed for the week and is undergoing a cleaning “to ensure there are no particulates, asbestos, and other fallout from the collapse site and subsequent, ongoing demolition.” Publisher Ken Lippert says, “Although still without phone service or heat, the Press plans to reopen Monday, April 6, pending the outcome of air sample and surface swab tests in the office.” Employees have been working remotely from home.