At Crown Publishing Group, Diana Baroni has been promoted to vice president, associate publisher, editorial director, Harmony and Rodale Books, reporting to Aaron Wehner. Crown has also hired a number of former Rodale employees, following its January acquisition of Rodale Books: Gail Gonzales has been appointed vice president, director, publishing strategy, Harmony, Rodale Books, and Clarkson Potter; Dervla Kelly has joined as senior editor, Rodale Books and Ten Speed Press; Brianne Sperber has been named senior marketing manager, Harmony and Rodale Books; and Holly Smith has joined as senior digital marketer.
European publisher World Editions, dedicated to publishing English-language translations of literary fiction from around the world, is launching in the US, and will start distribution through Consortium in September. Christine Swedowsky, most recently director of international marketing and sales at Penguin Random House, will serve as US director.
In the UK, vp, insight and analytics at Nielsen Book Jo Henry will leave her position on March 31.
Imprints
Simon & Schuster is shutting down digital imprint Crimson Romance, and its staff of three have left the company. Titles scheduled through April 1 will be published as planned. Crimson Romance was started by F+W in 2012 and acquired by S&S in 2016 as part of their purchase of Adams Media.
Bookselling
Dawn Porter and Steven Porter will hold a grand opening this weekend for their new store Stillwater Books in downtown Pawtucket, RI. They have published over 125 titles through their Stillwater River Publications. Steven had worked as public relations and marketing director for the former Lauriat’s book chain.