At the American Booksellers Association, Gen de Botton has joined the organization in the new position of program and development coordinator, supporting all publisher-related programs and initiatives. She worked at Borders and then the children’s bookstore Little Joe’s in Katonah, NY. Additionally, Teresa Pereira Neufeld has joined ABA as a part-time graphic designer.
Emi Battaglia has launched Emi Battaglia Public Relations, “a full service publicity, marketing and literary consultation firm.” Most recently she was recently director of marketing and publicity at Regan Arts.
Scholastic Education announced “three key appointments to leadership” as they expand to serve Learning Supports and Family and Community Engagement (FACE) programs nationwide. Joining the company are svp of Learning Supports & FACE Ron Mirr and vp and publisher of Learning Supports & FACE Tonya Leslie, both reporting to Scholastic Education president Greg Worrell. Dr. Rhonda Neal Waltman, will lead the field services team as director of consulting services for learning supports, reporting to Mirr.
Authors Oliver Sacks, 82, and Wayne Dyer, 75, died over the weekend.
Buying
Between August 20 and August 29, investor Abrams Capital Management added over 785,000 shares of stock in Barnes & Noble Education — giving them a total stake of more than 6.32 million shares, or 13.1 percent the company. Abrams is also the fourth-largest owner of stock in the now-separate Barnes & Noble, Inc. holding a 5.4 percent stake of 4.1 million shares.