Liza Baker will be promoted to vp, publisher in the Scholastic Trade publishing division as of September 7, reporting to Ellie Berger. Baker will oversee the publishing and editorial direction for the young readers’ imprints, including Cartwheel, Orchard, Acorn, and Branches. She will report to Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic Trade Publishing. Berger says in the announcement, “I am delighted she will be at the helm creating engaging content for our youngest readers and look forward to seeing our list grow and innovate under her leadership.”
At the same time, Ken Geist will transition to vp, publisher-at-large, following a move to Portland, OR. Geist will continue to head up the Pilkey publishing program and will acquire new projects as well as working with his established artists and illustrators. He will continue to work with vp, creative director and publisher of Graphix, David Saylor.
Samantha Gil has been promoted to associate production editor for the Workman Publishing imprint. Hillary Leary becomes senior production editor. Amanda German has been promoted to assistant gift sales manager across all Workman Publishing imprints.
Courtney Paganelli has been promoted to associate agent at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.
Maria Vicente has been promoted to senior literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency.
Heather Gold has been promoted to editor for classics and ancient world at Yale University Press.
Arriel Vinson has joined Catapult/Counterpoint/Soft Skull as a marketing coordinator.
The UK’s Head of Zeus is adding a sci-fi/fantasy imprint, Ad Astra, launching in October. Chief executive Nicolas Cheetham is founding publisher of the new line, which plans up to 30 titles for 2021.
Bookselling
Ben McNally Books in Toronto has signed a short-term lease at at 317 Adelaide Street East, through January 2021. They learned a year ago that their current lease would not be renewed, and they need to vacate before September 1.
Forthcoming
HEROES WEAR MASKS: Elmo’s Super Adventure, a picture book from Sesame Workshop to help children manage back-to-school anxiety and understand the changes they’ll face in their classrooms and playrooms, will be published September 15 by Sourcebooks. Sesame Workshop president, media & education and coo Steve Youngwood says, “One of the most powerful things about the Sesame Street Muppets is how deeply kids identify with them. When they see their friend Elmo adjusting to something unfamiliar—like wearing a mask to school—they realize that they can do it too. We’re thrilled to work with Sourcebooks to get this special book to families—we hope it helps ease their back-to-school transitions in this difficult time.”
And coming soon are more TV-movie adaptations of works by the late Ann Rule. Lifetime’s airing last weekend of Sleeping with Danger and A Murder to Remember reached more than 6.5 million — and now three additional Ann Rule adaptations, Danger in the Dorm, Bitter Harvest and Practice to Deceive, are set to air on Lifetime in early 2021.
Andy Weir‘s Project Hail Mary, has been announced for publication on May 4, 2021.