Obituaries
Founder of Tarcher Books, Jeremy Tarcher, 83, died on Sunday of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. Current publisher of the Tarcher Perigee imprint of Penguin Random House Joel Fotinos says in a statement: “Jeremy was one of the most creative and brilliant people I’ve ever met. His boundless curiosity inspired him to go beyond traditional publishing and thought, and led him to discover the most innovative and exciting voices in the field of human potential. This curiosity about the world, our minds, and our capacity to expand our abilities drove him every day, and was reflected in the eponymous, pioneering publishing company he built from ground up.”
Author of dozens of books on American religion and spirituality, lay eucharistic minister in the Episcopal Church, and founder of Publishers Weekly’s religious section Phyllis Tickle, 81, died of lung cancer on Tuesday.
Reorganizing
Software provider Publishing Technology continues to struggle. In an awkwardly everything-is-great-but statement, the board has concluded that “the company is now not expected to meet current market expectations and is expected to produce a loss for the year.” PT surprised itself and markets in April when they announced what turned out to be a £4 million loss (on £14.4 million in sales) for 2014, while still promising that “a realignment of revenue recognition that reduces 2014’s results and will boost sales and margins in 2015 and 2016.” Shortly thereafter they issued additional shares in order to raise £9 million to replenish working capital and pay down debt. Shares are trading down roughly 15 percent on the news.
The board has dismissed ceo Michael Cairns, who took over in April 2014, with cto David
Montgomery taking over as acting ceo and non‐executive chairman Martyn Rose taking the role of executive chairman “in order to support the business during this transition period.” The board is “taking decisive steps to address the performance of the business.” Cairns can be reached at michael.cairns@outlook.com.
People
Matthew Daddona has joined Dey Street as an associate editor, reporting to Carrie Thornton. He was at Blue Rider/Plume for the last three and a half years.
Rebecca Marsh has been promoted to senior publicist, Crown Archetype, Harmony, and Three Rivers Press.
Imprints
Penguin Random House UK is launching a new imprint in January 2016, Penguin Life, a “personal development and healthy living imprint” publishing “up-market, intelligent books on personal development.” The line will issue 10 titles in 2016 and aims to grow to “around 20 books a year by 2018, across the UK & Commonwealth as well as many other markets.”
Publishing director of Viking UK and Portfolio UK Venetia Butterfield will oversee the new line as well. Other editors acquiring for the imprint include Joel Rickett, Daniel Crewe, Zoe Bohm, Emily Robertson and Patricia Deevy. Richard Lennon will take the new position of head of communications for Portfolio Penguin and Penguin Life and Julia Murday is being promoted to Penguin Life campaigns manager.
Awards
The National Book Foundation will honor James Patterson at the November 18 awards ceremony, with the 2015 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.
The George Washington Book Prize board is giving a special achievement award (and a $50,000 cash prize) to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the playwright, lyricist, composer, and star of the musical Hamilton.