Jason Rekulak has resigned as publisher of Quirk Books after 18 years with the company, effective immediately, to pursue his writing career and other creative projects. There will be a transition period through March, and the company “will explore a new relationship with Rekulak” thereafter. Quirk president Brett Cohen will take on the role and responsibilities of publisher as well, and the company will search for an editorial director. Owner and ceo of the parent company David Borgenicht notes, “with 17 years at Quirk Books, Brett is a seasoned publishing professional who has a deep understanding of our business as well as of our publishing and entertainment vision.”
In other personnel news, Sarah Stein has been promoted to senior editor at Penguin Books.
At Vintage/Anchor, Angie Venezia has been promoted to assistant director of publicity. In addition, Jessica Deitcher and Laura Chamberlain both move up to marketing manager.
Jake Eldred has been promoted to managing editor, Knopf Children’s. Taking over his former position of associate managing editor for The Princeton Review imprint is Amanda Yee. She was an assistant managing editor at NYU Press.
At Tor/Forge/Tor Teen/Starscape, Theresa DeLucci has been promoted to associate director of marketing and Alexis Saarela has been promoted to associate director of publicity.
Brianna Yamashita, currently executive publicity & marketing director for TarcherPerigee will join Houghton Mifflin as marketing director, lifestyle & culinary, later this month.
Claribel Vasquez has been promoted to assistant manager of production for Random House Children’s.
In Canada, Kelvin Kong left The Rights Factory, where he was an agent and rights manager, to launch K2 Literary.
In author news, Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance told CNN (for which he is a contributor) that he is seriously considering challenging Sherrod Brown for his Senate seat in Ohio in the 2018 election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is said to have spoken with Vance about the possibility recently.
Imprints
Quarto will consolidate their adult UK imprints Aurum Press, Frances Lincoln, and Quintessence into a single imprint, White Lion Publishing. All books will begin publishing under the White Lion brand starting September 2018. The line will be led by group publisher Richard Green. Andrew Dunn, the publisher of Frances Lincoln, “has decided to use this opportunity to seek a new challenge and will leave Quarto.”
Green said, “Since the summer, we have been conducting a full review of our UK-based trade imprints in the context of a challenging market. We’re inspired by the bold move of launching a new, single imprint which will feed on our 40 years’ experience while breaking down silos and embracing new ways of communicating with our target readers. White Lion Publishing will be a revolution in how we conceive, commission, make, market and sell books at Quarto.”
The School of Life Press, based on writer and philosopher Alain de Botton’s organization The School of Life, launches in February. Consortium will distribute the line in the US and Canada. The books will collect know-how of The School of Life in a series of practical titles.