Mark Smith is stepping down as ceo of Bonnier Zaffre at the end of July and has sold his equity stake. Smith has been with the company since 2014. While Bonnier looks for a successor, executive director of adult publishing Kate Parkin, executive director of children’s publishing Jane Harris, and executive director of sales and marketing James Horobin will fill in, reporting to Bonnier Publishing UK ceo Perminder Mann.
Smith said, “The last three and a half years at Bonnier Zaffre, working with the brilliant team in Marylebone to build a commercial fiction company that covers both children’s and adult, has been a truly unique experience and Bonnier Zaffre is now firmly established and ready for the next stage of growth. The strategy of having a very narrow focus on both the types and number of books we published has produced regular appearances in the bestseller charts and rapid growth. Looking to the future, our authors, agents and partners are in great hands and there will be many more exciting developments to come.”
Transatlantic Agency is expanding in the US, absorbing Jill Corcoran Literary Agency. Jill Corcoran, president of JCLA, joins Transatlantic as partner and senior agent; Jodell Sadler joins as senior agent; and Timothy Travaglini and Elizabeth Bennett join as literary agents. Jill Corcoran clients will move with their agents and be represented by Transatlantic going forward. Transatlantic president Samantha Haywood says, “Jill Corcoran is a powerhouse and her dynamic agents are well respected for good reason. Jill, Jodell, Elizabeth and Tim have terrific industry experience and excellent taste. They will be a great addition to our group. We are simply delighted to welcome them and their remarkable author and illustrator clients to Transatlantic, growing our already successful children’s and YA list, and increasing our presence in the US market.”