At Abrams Children’s Books, Hallie Patterson has been promoted to director of publicity and Brooke Shearouse to publicity manager.
In the UK, John Murray publisher Mark Richards and Profile Books commercial director Diana Broccardo have founded Swift Press. They expect to publish 6 to 8 titles in 2021. The principal investors are Geoffrey Faber Holdings and Set Copyrights, co-owners of Faber & Faber. It’s the first time they have invested in another publisher. Swift will join the Independent Alliance for sales.
Duke University press editorial director since 2005 Ken Wissoker is staying with the house, now as senior executive editor, focusing on building his interdisciplinary list of titles and working with authors.
Nora Rawn has been promoted to director of foreign rights at Trident Media Group.
Lucy Abrahams is now scouting for Leda in the Czech Republic.
Barbara Neely, 78, Mystery Writers of America’s 2020 Grand Master and the author of the Blanche White series, died last week. The MWA writes, “she was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a remarkable talent and voice whose loss is deeply felt. We are grateful we had the opportunity to let her know how much she meant to the mystery community before she left us. Her talent and memory will live on forever in her wonderful books. She will be missed.”
Acquisitions
RBMedia has acquired GraphicAudio, a producer of dramatized audio content featuring full casts of actors, sound effects, and cinematic music, with over 1,300 titles across 150 series.
Picks
Barnes & Noble Book Club chose A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler as their March selection.
Bookselling
The Strand expects to open its new store in the former Book Culture space on Columbus Avenue in NYC in the first or second week of April.
Awards
The Lambda Literary Awards announced finalists, with winners to be named on June 8.