At Writers House, Stephen Barr has been promoted to senior agent.
Brian Jud will take over as executive director of the Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) on January 1, following the resignation of Brad Flora. Jud is an author, book-marketing consultant, seminar leader, television host and a partner in Premium Book Company.
Rachel Burkot has been named assistant editor for Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
Danielle Plafsky will join Knopf as assistant marketing manager on January 2. Previously she was a marketing associate for Harper.
Daniel L. Knotts has been named coo of R.R. Donnelley, replacing John R. Paloian, who is retiring after over 25 years in the industry and more than 5 years as the company’s coo. Knotts, who has been with the company for 26 years, was most recently group president at Donnelley, responsible for global sales, operations, information technology, logistics, financial services, business process outsourcing operations, strategic sourcing and Environmental, Health and Safety.
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by EL James has won the Specsavers National Book of the Year for 2012, receiving 75 percent of the public vote.
In the UK, Hachette reported more than 250,000 ebooks sold between Christmas and Boxing Day, up 86 percent from the same holiday period in 2011.