Wendy McCurdy will return to Kensington, as editorial director, starting August 3. She was previously an executive editor at Berkley and prior to that a senior editor at Bantam Dell after starting her career at Kensington’s Zebra Books.
Philip Turner has returned to his roots as a bookseller, working at the new Rizzoli Bookstore in New York, which opens on July 27. He continues to operate his editorial service and publishing consultancy Philip Turner Book Productions as well.
Mark Thomas has joined Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as senior vice president of engineering, based in New York, leading global software development and driving the effective delivery of HMH’s digital products. He reports to evp and cto Brook Colangelo, and comes to HMH from HBO, where was svp of technology program management.
Christian Smythe has joined bluebottle biz, a digital library focusing on business-relevant content, as head of content and partner strategy. Previously he was head of Sony’s Reader Store.
Christopher Beetham has joined Zondervan in the new role of senior editor of Biblical languages, textbooks, and reference tools. Reporting to Stan Gundry, he will handle the editorial responsibilities that were once assigned to longtime editor Verlyn Verbrugge, who passed away recently.
Lucy Abrahams is now scouting for Portuguese publisher Jacaranda.
Actor Rainn Wilson is narrating Listening Library’s audiobook edition of the forthcoming new Dr. Seuss book, WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?
Awards
Sarah Hilary‘s debut novel SOMEONE ELSE’S SKIN won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.