The situation at Bonnier Publishing in the UK remains tumultuous, as managing director of the Kings Road Publishing line Ben Dunn has resigned, the Bookseller reports, with the company saying it is not replacing him “at the moment.” The turnover began in February when group ceo Richard Johnson stepped down after 9 years following a year of “lagging” sales and “write-offs.”
In March they closed their Australian children’s publishing arm and laid off 35 people. Chief operating officer Sharon Parker announced at the beginning of June she would leave in October after 20 years with the company and earlier this week it was announced that Bonnier Zaffre ceo Mark Smith will leave at the end of July.
Cletus Durkin has been promoted to vice president, education distributor sales, Penguin Random House.
At Kensington, Samantha McVeigh has been promoted to assistant communications manager, handling publicity and marketing for contemporary romance and romantic suspense titles, while James Akinaka moves up to communications associate, handling science fiction, fantasy and horror titles. In addition, Ann Pryor has been hired as senior communications manager, handling non-fiction and select mystery titles.
Chi Wang has joined the American Psychological Association as books marketing manager for academic and professional publishing and APA Style. She was previously books marketing manager at the American Chemical Society.
Signed?
Dylan Byers at CNN Tech says a source reports Netflix CEO Reed Hastings will write a book about the company and its success, covering his leadership strategy and the company’s culture. Co-authored by Erin Meyer, it’s said to have gone to Ann Godoff at Penguin Press for publication in 2019.
Awards
The Audio Publishers Association has reimagined their annual Audie Awards, no longer holding the gala at the same time as Book Expo. Next year’s awards will be held March 4, “to improve our chances of gathering media attention.” They also intend to “increase visibility and also make the night less expensive for attendees.”