Publisher of Cleis Press and founder of Viva Editions Brenda Knight is leaving the company, citing “irreconcilable differences of vision with the new ownership.” (The company was sold to Start Publishing in late 2014.) She adds, “But the authors of Cleis Press and Viva Editions are rock stars, too, and I will always be grateful to them.” Along with Knight, “the remaining original Cleis Press staff also resigned, effective immediately.” Knight plans to launch an author-centered marketing consultancy.
NYT book critic Janet Maslin “has decided to leave the grind of full-time reviewing to become a contributing book critic, in which capacity she will continue to write regularly for The New York Times but at a somewhat less grueling pace,” according to an internal memo reproduced by Capital New York. Maslin’s transition is effective July 1, and “we will begin the hunt for a third full-time book critic immediately.”
Gail Gonzales will join Rodale on June 15 as vp, associate publisher, trade books, reporting to Mary Ann Naples. Previously she was director of integrated marketing at Simon & Schuster, and the Rodale trade sales & marketing departments will report to Gonzales.
James Ernest will join Wm. B. Eerdmans as editor in chief, taking over from the retiring Jon Pott, and also joins the board of directors as a vice president. With more than two decades of experience in academic books in biblical studies and related fields, Ernest was most recently executive editor for Baker Academic and Brazos Press.
At Bloomsbury, Megan Ernst has been promoted to marketing manger for the adult tra”de division.
At Scribner, Ashley Gilliam has been promoted to online marketing manager.
At Sky Pony Press, Adrienne Szpyrka has been promoted to assistant editor.
Awards
Phil Klay has won the Chatauqua Prize for Redeployment, adding to his National Book Award win.
The PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story, recognizing a body of work, is being given to Deborah Eisenberg.
The MacDowell Colony announced a Charlotte Sheedy Fellowship that will be awarded to writers representing populations across racial and cultural boundaries.” Backed by an anonymous donor, the fellowship will fund a residency of up to two months at MacDowell Colony.
BEA’s fifth annual Industry Ambassador Award will be presented to the Children’s Book Council.
Partnerships
Time Inc. Books and Animal Planet are partnering on a new line of Animal Planet-branded nonfiction books for all ages, beginning this fall with Animals: A Visual Encyclopedia. New titles are currently under development for young readers of all ages, including a Gift & Companion series, Animal Bites series and Chapter Book series, through 2017.
Distribution
Fulcrum Publishing will move their sales and distribution to IPG from Consortium, effective January 1, 2016.