Longtime svp and publisher of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Bruce Nichols will join Little, Brown as svp and publisher on May 4. He will report to ceo Michael Pietsch and join HBG’s executive management board. Nichols, who started his publishing career at Little, Brown in the company’s former College Publishing division, says in the announcement, “I have long admired the range and strengths of the publishing program at Little, Brown, its enormously talented staff, and the spectacular writers they have brought into the world. Continuing their remarkable programs, and finding new opportunities for growth and innovation, is the challenge of a lifetime that I’m honored to accept. It’s a thrill to come full circle and rejoin Little, Brown, and to lead such a sterling team.”
Pietsch adds, “As Little, Brown’s publishing range has expanded significantly, it was important to find someone with the proven ability to publish brilliantly across many categories. Bruce has worked with great writers in literary fiction and commercial fiction and in narrative nonfiction, history, cookbooks, business, inspiration, and more. It’s rare to find someone with such editorial breadth and strong business skills. I’m thrilled that Bruce has agreed to come lead Little, Brown, and I’m excited to see all he will do in concert with the superbly talented LB editorial, marketing, publicity, and design teams.”
HMH Books & Media president Ellen Archer says, “We are currently mapping out next steps for the leadership of the division and will be sharing them later this month. Deb Brody, HMH’s vp and editor-in-chief, continues to be in charge of our nonfiction and lifestyle lists, in partnership with Millicent Bennett, editorial director.” She notes, “Bruce Nichols has done an outstanding job at HMH. He has been a terrific colleague, a trusted leader, and valued mentor to so many of us at the company. His wit and wisdom will be sorely missed by all of us. Little, Brown is very lucky to have him joining their team. Personally, I am thrilled for him, though of course I’m sad to be losing a business partner and friend who has helped drive HMH to new heights of success over the last decade.”