After Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher’s expulsion from the SCBWI last year following sexual harassment allegations came to light earlier this week, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency has said that it is no longer working with him. “All of the agents at ABLA support the important national conversation about sexual harassment and bullying and we believe that all creators should have a safe space to work professionally,” they said in a statement that was sent to their clients. “We have counseled Jay to take a step back from the industry and he’s doing so. He is no longer working with the agency.” (Asher’s primary […]
Archives for February 2018
People, Etc.
Allison Cohen will join Running Press Kids as editor starting February 20. Previously, she was literary agent at The Gersh Agency. At Random House Children’s, Andrea Posner-Sanchez has been promoted to senior executive editor and Meika Hashimoto has been promoted to editor. Quarto has eliminated five positions from the foreign rights team in their Brighton, England office, part of a “strategic evolution” in line with their focus “on territories and languages rather than imprint portfolios.” Four people left the company, and one toke another position in their London office, the Bookseller reports.
Asher Says He Left SCBWI On His Own, and Feels “Harassed” Himself
After Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators executive director Lin Oliver acknowledged (per our report yesterday) that Jay Asher, author of Thirteen Reasons Why, had been expelled from the SCBWI last year in the wake of sexual harassment allegations, Asher denied that account to BuzzFeed News. “I love the organization, but they didn’t decide to push me out. It was my decision,” Asher said. He reports that Oliver “said the email [reporting allegations against him] contained nothing that their organization should have anything to do with.” But Oliver has said in written statements that “both Jay Asher and David Diaz […]
Barnes & Noble Cutting Staff On Sales Decline
On Monday Barnes & Noble started layoffs of “lead cashiers, digital leads and other experienced workers in a company-wide clearing,” CNBC reported that it had learned from multiple sources. “The news came abruptly for many workers who showed up Monday morning at various Barnes & Noble locations to be notified that they no longer had a job, the people said.” In the last conference call with investors, Barnes & Noble ceo Demos Parneros claimed the company was refocusing on selling books and valuing the role of staff in their stores: “Customers come not only to browse and discover but to interact […]
Newbery to Kelly, Caldecott to Cordell, and More
The American Library Association presented their annual book awards at their mid-winter meeting in Denver. On Monday morning, at the Youth Media Awards, the Newbery medal went to Erin Entrada Kelly for Hello, Universe (Greenwillow Books) and the Caldecott Medal to Matthew Cordell for Wolf in the Snow (Feiwel & Friends). Nina Lacour won the Michael L. Printz Award for We Are Okay (Dutton Children’s), and author Angela Johnson won the Margaret A. Edwards Award for “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” The William C. Morris YA Debut award went to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Balzer + Bray), which also won the Odyssey […]
People: Mantel Named Barnes & Noble CMO
Timothy Mantel has joined Barnes & Noble as chief merchandising officer, reporting to ceo Demos Parneros. He was cmo for GNC, and prior to he was svp, food, household essentials and food service. Mantel fills the position vacated when Mary Amicucci was dismissed in September. Parnernos said of Mantel in the announcement: “His deep knowledge of retail and proven track record are exactly what we need to invigorate our merchandising strategy and grow our business. He will be a great addition to our management team.” Naomi Davis and Amanda Jain have both joined Bookends Literary Agency as agents. Previously both […]