Seven years after setting up an enonymous imprint at Putnam, Amy Einhorn is leaving the company at the end of June for another publisher. Her departure was confirmed for us by both Einhorn and Putnam president Ivan Held, to whom she has reported.
Amy Einhorn Books started publishing in February 2009 in the most successful way possible — with publication of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. The line went on to publish bestsellers including Jenny Lawson’s Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Sarah Blake’s The Postmistress, and Liane Moriarty’s The Husband’s Secret. Moriarty’s next book, Big Little Lies, is set for publication in July.
In a recent Poets & Writers interview, Einhorn said: “I think the main reason I’m here is for my taste. I can sniff out books that might not be the most obvious, and for whatever reason, make them work…. I feel as if I’m here because I have an eye for books that other people seem to respond to.” She worked at Grand Central (and Warner) before setting up her imprint at Putnam, and prior to that worked at FSG, Villard, and Poseidon Press.
While we have heard unconfirmed reports of where Einhorn will set up her publishing line next, the principals declined to confirm at this time, so stay tuned for that subsequent announcement. Einhorn writes, “I’m very excited to talk about my future plans when I am able.”
Literary agent Charlie Campbell’s new business partner is former World Book Night UK ceo Julia Kingsford. Kingsford Campbell Literary & Marketing Agents will start up in June, providing literary agency services as well as brand, marketing and digital strategy services. Publishing veteran Patrick Janson-Smith will serve as non-executive chair of the agency. Foreign rights will be handled by ILA, and Kingsford will continue her work at Valobox as well.
Editorial director at Plume Phil Budnick is switch over to a new role, as director of field & wholesaler sales for Penguin’s adult hardcover division as of June 16, reporting to John Lawton. Budnick will also manage Penguin’s Ingram and Baker & Taylor businesses.
At Sourcebooks, Deb Werksman has been promoted to editorial director, Sourcebooks Casablanca.
At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Alyson Heller has been promoted to editor at Aladdin. In addition, Krista Vossen has been promoted to art director, while Michael McCartney moves up to associate art director and Karina Granda has been promoted to designer.
At Berkley, Leis Pederson and Michelle Vega have been promoted to senior editor, while Robin Barletta moves up to assistant editor.
At Yale University Press, Katherine Boller has been promoted to editor.
Melissanne Scheld is taking over as managing director of Publishing Technology’s PCG (Publishers Communication Group) division on May 27. She replaces Douglas Wright and will report to Publishing Technology ceo Michael Cairns. PCG is a sales, marketing and research firm providing audience development strategies for scholarly publishers. Most recently Scheld worked at Cambridge University Press.
In author news, the first few events related to the release of Hillary Clinton‘s HARD CHOICES on June 10 have been announced. Diane Sawyer will have the first television interview, airing as a primetime special on ABC on June 9. Then Robin Roberts will have the first live interview the following morning, on Good Morning America.
Two paid “conversations” organized by Innovation Arts & Entertainment have been announced as well. On June 20, Clinton will speak in Austin, TX (tickets are $125 to $500) and on June 25 she’ll be in San Francisco (tickers are $95 to $520). Full tour details are still forthcoming.