Traci Lester has joined the Center for Fiction as executive director, succeeding interim executive director Michael Roberts who took over last June after the retirement of Noreen Tomassi. Lester was most recently executive director of the National Dance Institute. Board chair Erroll McDonald said in the announcement, “Ms. Lester is a proven leader with an extensive background in education and the arts. She brings more than 25 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector with an impressive track record of organizational development and growth. I am confident she will lead The Center with vision, creativity, and managerial skill as we continue […]
Archives for April 2021
Shipstead’s Great Circle Tops May Indie Next List
The ABA named Maggie Shipstead’s marvelous sweeping third novel Great Circle as the No. 1 pick for the May Indie Next list. Also on the list, now expanded to 24 selections, are titles from Jean Hanff Korelitz and Eileen Garvin, both excerpted and available in our Buzz Books 2021 Spring/Summer sampler. The rest of the picks: Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir People We Meet on Vacation, by Emily Henry Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave Secrets of Happiness, by Joan Silber Mary Jane, by Jessica Anya Blau The Woman […]
Simon & Schuster to Publish Mike Pence
Former vice president Mike Pence’s autobiography will be published by Simon & Schuster. Publisher Dana Canedy made a two-book, world rights deal with Pence through David Vigliano and Thomas Flannery at Vigliano Associates. The first book is scheduled for publication in 2023. Canedy says in the announcement, “Vice President Pence’s life and work, his journey as a Christian, the challenges and triumphs he has faced, and the lessons he has learned, tells an American story of extraordinary public service during a time of unrivaled public interest in our government and politics. His revelatory autobiography will be the definitive book on […]
People, Etc.
Ann Marie Wong has joined Holt Children’s as editorial director. She was previously senior editorial director at Scholastic Book Clubs. Kendall Storey has been promoted to full-time editor at Catapult and Soft Skull Press, moving over from managing foreign rights and contracts for Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull Press. 2 Seas Agency will represent foreign rights sales for the publisher going forward. Elizabeth Worthy has been promoted to director, event management at Simon & Schuster. At Random House Children’s, Caite Arocho has joined as marketing coordinator. She was previously marketing and design lead at Outside the Lense. Natali Cavanagh has also […]
Tomorrow’s Discussion
A reminder to writers that tomorrow at 12 Eastern we’ll convene our first live discussion on our new Discuss user forum at PublishersMarketplace. To clear up any confusion, there’s no Zoom link or other media required: These are old-fashioned text-based AMA (ask me anything) sessions with trade publishing veterans. You can join us tomorrow for the live discussion, post your questions in advance, or check the forum after the fact, since we’ll preserve the whole session. Once again, here are the scheduled guests for our first month of discussions. (A reminder: If you’re interested in joining us a featured guest, […]
Gendell Files Counterclaims Against McGuigan, Alleging Defamation Along with “Inattentiveness, Incompetence” and “Unprofessional and Abusive Behavior”
Yfat Reiss Gendell denied the charges made against against her by former Foundry partner Peter McGuigan in his January lawsuit and filed counterclaims of her own, alleging defamation, tortious interference with agents and deals at her firm YRG Partners, breach of contract and more. The filing accuses McGuigan of “years of inattentiveness, incompetence, as well as unprofessional and abusive behavior,” and charges him with creating and spreading “a defamatory smear campaign” designed “to falsely justify his own foolish actions” in freezing both the client and operating accounts of Foundry. In her counterclaims, Gendell seeks damages for reputational harm, lost business […]