Liese Mayer will join Bloomsbury on February 27 in the newly created role of editorial director, fiction, reporting to Cindy Loh (with editor in chief Nancy Miller continuing to report to Loh as well). Mayer, who has been an editor at Scribner, says in the announcement, "I'm excited for this great opportunity to publish the sort of books I love most, books written from that space where literary and smart commercial fiction meet." Loh says in the release: "Expanding into a bigger fiction market with Liese at the helm is a bold, fresh step -- and just the first -- for continued growth at Bloomsbury. As we near our 20th anniversary, it's wonderful to be moving forward into new genres and across all categories of publishing. Liese is just the right person to lead this charge and we are excited to have her join the Bloomsbury team."
John Morgan joins Imprint as executive editor. Previously he was a senior producer at Melcher Media, director of digital publishing at Penguin, and a creative director at DC Comics.
Abrams announced a number of recent new hires and promotions across various divisions. Carmen Álvarez has joined as assistant manager, Wimpy Kid brand marketing. Previously she was an integrated marketing assistant at Harper Collins Children's. Rebecca Westall has joined as production manager, moving over Hachette Book Group, where she was a senior production associate. Evangelos Vasilakis was recently hired as managing editor, children's. Previously he was an associate managing editor at Penguin Random House.
In editorial, Anne Heltzel was recently promoted to senior editor, Amulet & ComicArts, while Courtney Code moves up to assistant editor, Amulet and Bridget Waterhouse moves up to assistant editor, Abrams Plus. In marketing & publicity, Patricia McNamara and Mamie VanLangen were both recently promoted to digital & social media manager for children's and adult, respectively. Nicole Schaefer moves up to marketing & publicity associate, children's, while Jordan Sapiro was promoted to publicist, adult. In production, Denise LaCongo was promoted to associate director, while Kathy Gaffney moves up to manager. Finally, Alyssa Nassner was recently promoted to art director, children's.
Barbara Brown has joined Kensington as senior designer.
Doug Pocock will take over as managing director of Capstone's UK businesses, which include the Curious Fox book line and the educational Raintree business. Current MD Miles Stevens-Hoare is leaving the company for audiobook business W F Howes. Pocock left his position as managing director of the Abrams & Chronicle Books joint venture almost a year ago to "pursue other opportunities."
Alice Sutherland-Hawes has joined Madeleine Milburn Ltd as rights agent. Previously she was a literary assistant at The Agency.
In awards news, Waterstones named shortlists for their three children's book prizes, the London Book Fair has nominated candidates for 15 different International Excellence awards, and Australia's Stella Prize has released a longlist of 12 titles.
