Former Holt chairman Stephen Rubin has joined Simon & Schuster as a consulting publisher, reporting to Jonathan Karp. Rubin will acquire fiction and nonfiction for all of the company’s adult publishing imprints. Karp says in the announcement, “Steve has an extraordinary eye for talent and keen judgment as a publisher on both sides of the Atlantic. He’ll be a valuable adviser and a rainmaker.”
Rubin adds, “Jon and I have had a mutual admiration society since we met more than two decades ago. The opportunity to discover and champion notable authors, the great joy of my career, and publish them with Simon & Schuster is a dream come true.”
Brian Distelberg has been promoted to editorial director, history and social sciences, at Basic Books. Claire Potter has been promoted to senior editor, Basic Books and Seal Press.
Kait Heacock has joined the University of Washington Press as publicity manager. She was formerly the publicist at Dottir Press.
Lori Steel has been promoted to agent at Raven Quill Literary Agency.
Forthcoming
Scholastic will publish The Grinny Granny Donkey, the third Wonky Donkey picture book by Craig Smith and illustrated by Katz Cowle, in November.
Bankruptcy
Canadian publisher Coteau Books is closing and has gone into bankruptcy protection. Founded in 1975, the non-profit based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has published hundreds of titles.