At Penguin Random House, svp, corporate director business affairs John Schline is stepping down after more than three decades with Penguin and Random House. He will serve as a consultant to the company through the end of 2016. David Sanford has been promoted to svp, executive director, contracts and permissions companywide, with responsibility for all the adult and children’s imprint and divisional contract directors. Robin Simon, Erica Cuculic and Megan Thomas are each appointed director, contracts, Penguin Publishing Group, with respective imprint responsibilities.
At Delacorte Press, Wendy Loggia and Krista Marino have both been promoted to senior executive editor, while Monica Jean moves up to assistant editor.
Jessica Craig has launched her own international literary agency, Craig Literary, based primarily in Barcelona. Most recently she was an agent at the Pontas Agency. Among her first clients are Nigerian 2015 Booker finalist Chigozie Obioma and Chinese-American middle-grade novelist Jack Cheng.
Jess Brallier joins Abrams as vp and publisher of Abrams Plus, a newly-named group of businesses comprising the company’s gift and stationery line Noterie, and their calendar, ebook and digital businesses. Brallier was publisher and president of Pearson’s digital consumer business, Family Education Network — where he worked closely with Abrams star author Jeff Kinney. Brallier comments, “Abrams has an enduring record of serving readers, making beautiful books and gifts and advancing the industry. I’m honored to join Abrams and excited for the opportunity to contribute to its future growth. This is going to be fun!”
Lindy Humphreys is promoted to associate publisher, Abrams Plus, continuing to run ebook and digital publishing, and reports to Brallier along with Karrie Witkin and Miriam Tribble.
For the second year in a row, James Patterson is giving a total of $250,000 in “holiday bonuses” to independent booksellers via the ABA, awarding gifts of between $1,000 and $5,000. The nomination form, open until November 1, is here.