Shire Publications’ recently-hired US sales and marketing director Robert Kempe died on Tuesday from complications arising from cancer (just diagnosed in August).
The publisher says, “Though Robert joined the company only months ago, his contribution to and impact upon it were incalculable. Swiftly assuming control of Shire in the North American market, he made it immediately and abundantly clear that we had found someone who would not only fulfil our expectations and requirements for the role but exceed them in every regard.”
At Harlequin, Miranda Indrigo has taken on the new role of author liaison, concierge services. She was most recently an editor at Mira.
Ginger Curwen is returning to publishing, joining Julia Lord Literary Management as an agent representing mysteries and thrillers. Before leaving the industry, Curwen worked at HarperCollins, the American Booksellers Association, Bantam, and Random House.
At Medallion Press, president Adam Mock has been promoted to acting COO, current svp Ali DeGray has been promoted to president, and Heather Musick has been promoted to Medallion Media Group svp.
Books-A-Million has hired Mary Jane Karwoski as vp of human resources. Previously, she was director of human resources and regional sales director at Borders.
Headline publisher-at-large Martin Fletcher will leave the company at the end of November after more than than a decade to pursue freelance editing and consulting opportunities. In his new role Fletcher will handle several projects for Headline and other publishers and expand his book review work.
In awards news, The Crime Writers’ Association announced the winners of various Dagger Awards in a ceremony that will be televised on ITV3 on October 23.
Gold Dagger For Best Crime Novel of the Year:
Gene Kerrigan, THE RAGE
John Creasey New Blood Dagger:
Wiley Cash, A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME
The Ian Fleming Steel Dagger:
Charles Cumming, A FOREIGN COUNTRY
The Stella Prize, Australia’s new annual prize given to the best work of literature by an Australian woman, will be awarded for the first time in April 2013. Entries for the $50,000 Prize are open through November 15 and will consider both fiction and non-fiction submissions. “The Stella Prize will raise the profile and the sales of books by women,’ said chair Aviva Tuffield in a release. “We want to encourage future generations of women writers, by increasing the recognition for Australian women’s writing and supporting strong female role models. We also want to celebrate women’s contribution to Australian literature.”