Book Expo America’s opening event will feature author Jonathan Franzen interviewed by Salon book critic Laura Miller, on May 27 at 12 PM (an hour before the show floor opens; this year the trade exhibition runs for two and a half days). This will be Franzen’s first event to discuss his new novel PURITY, which FSG will publish in September. The conversation will include “a discussion of the author’s writing [and] the important influences in his life” as well.
Nonfiction publisher at Pan Macmillan Jon Butler is leaving the company at the end of the month to join Quercus as managing director, with current Quercus managing director David North leaving once the “integration of Quercus into Hachette is completed”, i.e. when Quercus moves into the new Hachette UK building on Victoria Embankment. Succeeding Butler at Pan Macmillan is Robin Harvie, currently editorial director of Pan Macmillan’s sports list. Butler begins at Quercus in July, reporting to Hodder ceo Jamie Hodder-Williams.
Michelle Bayuk has joined Quarto Publishing Group USA in the newly created position of associate director, children’s book marketing, publicity, & social media. She was most recently associate sales & marketing director at Egmont Publishing.
Sharon Hancock will retire from Candlewick Press after more than 10 years with the company, most recently executive director of library marketing & outreach, to “enjoy some well-deserved time relaxing and undoubtedly reading.” She may be reached at sharonbostonmail@gmail.com.
At Flatiron Books, Jasmine Faustino has been promoted to associate manager.
At Maria B. Campbell Associates, Agnes Ahlander Turner has been promoted to vp, Deputy Director. She has been at MBCA for seven years.
Effective spring 2015, Parragon is expanding its Disney publishing portfolio to Denmark, Norway and Sweden.