Harlequin will launch a new imprint, Park Row Books, in summer 2017, with a focus on “thought-provoking and voice-driven novels” that have “mainstream appeal.” Executive editor for the imprint Erika Imranyi told the AP: “We’ve been growing that part of our business for a very long time. It’s a small piece of what we do, but a really important piece.” Park Row Books is named for the street where Harlequin’s offices were once located. Separately, the rebranded HQ imprint in the UK (combining Harlequin UK and Mira UK, as an imprint of Harper UK), has announced the acquisition of their first two nonfiction titles for release in May 2017 — two titles by actress and food writer Nicola ‘Milly’ Millbank.
At Random House Children’s Books, Kerri Benvenuto has been promoted to vp, marketing, licensed and proprietary brands. In addition, Josh Redlich has joined as associate publicist. He was previously at Sterling Publishing.
At Hachette Book Group, Peggy Garry has been appointed senior counsel. She has been at Perseus since 2013. Garry will focus on legal guidance in connection with all the Perseus publishing imprints, handling the drafting of brand license agreements for Running Press, Little Brown Children’s and other HBG groups, advising on educational publishing issues and other general legal matters.
Hari Ram will join Chronicle as Oracle technical manager. Previously he worked as an IT manager at Bare Escentuals, supporting the supply chain and finance teams.
Penguin Random House is celebrating the third anniversary of their merger with a renewed focus on social responsibility. CEO Markus Dohle said to employees in a note: “Working in an industry that is inherently a service to society, we risk subscribing to the notion that this is enough. It’s not. We ought to do more – and we can – by taking advantage of our capacity as Penguin Random House to drive positive social, environmental, and cultural change, locally and globally.” The company “will continue to unveil social responsibility initiatives that I am truly excited about” throughout the year, and mark some of those programs in this video.
Executive director of the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia Margaret Reynolds will retire this fall after 28 years with the organization. Managing editor at Coach House Books Heidi Waechtler will take over the position.
Rizzoli chief financial officer Alan Rutsky died June 28. Rutsky, who was transitioning into retirement when he became ill, joined Rizzoli in 2003 after 24 years at Abrams. “Alan was treasured by all members of Rizzoli staff for his wisdom, diplomacy, practicality, humor, and warmth,” the company said in the announcement.
The Gernert Company will be represented by Marianne Schönbach Literary Agency for Dutch rights and Licht & Burr Literary Agency for Scandinavia.