Steve Ross has created the Steve Ross Agency, while continuing to discuss a potential ongoing relationship with Abrams Artists, where he was director of the book division since 2010.
Rebecca Suss has been promoted to corporate communications associate for Simon & Schuster.
At Vintage UK, Rachel Cugnoni is moving up to publisher for the division, and while Beth Coates has been promoted to publishing director for Vintage UK Paperbacks.
Stephan Moore has joined Open Road Integrated Media as digital marketing & analytics manager. James Barry has joined as senior manager, email marketing.
In Germany, Aufbau Verlag is reorganizing its editorial team for literary fiction. As of May 1, 2019, Friederike Schilbach will become editorial director, in charge of acquiring German and international fiction, reporting to publishing director Constanze Neumann. Until recently, Schilbach was at S. Fischer Verlag. Anvar Cukoski will be appointed as editorial director for Aufbau’s Blumenbar imprint.
Distribution
Simon & Schuster is continuing to expand their capacity to service the distribution of books by other publishers. The company said it will open a new 300,000 square-foot warehouse facility in Milan, TN on January 2, 2019. As part of the expansion, Chris Wagner has joined S&S as vp, general manager warehouse operations, reporting to Dave Schaeffer. Wagner was formerly vp of distribution and general manager of operations at the Perseus distribution facilities in Jackson, Tennessee. CEO Carolyn Reidy says in the announcement: “By opening this new facility we are embarking on an important new era in Simon & Schuster’s distribution business, building upon our well-known commitment to distribution and the important role it plays in Simon & Schuster’s overall business.”
Corporate
Bellevue Literary Press has become an independent nonprofit, breaking ties with NYU School of Medicine. Founded in 2005 in partnership with NYU and housed in Bellevue Hospital, the press will now move to offices at 90 Broad Street. Publisher and editorial director Erika Goldman said, “We’re looking forward to the nimbleness independence affords us and we remain fully committed to our mission of publishing books that enrich, engage, and provoke lively discussion and debate.”
Bookselling
Books Inc. will close their location in Burlingame, CA early next year, since “changes in the retail environment on Burlingame Avenue have made it untenable to remain.”
A 700-square-foot bookstore Run for Cover is about to open in San Diego’s Ocean Beach.