Andrew Smith will join Abrams as svp, publisher, children’s books on March 31. Previously he was svp, deputy publisher at Little, Brown Children’s. He succeeds Susan Van Metre, who after six years as publisher will transition to vp, editor in chief, children’s books and editorial director, Amulet to focus on acquisitions and guiding its editorial team. Van Metre and associate publisher Jody Mosley will report to Smith.
Abrams president & ceo Michael Jacobs said in the announcement: “I am pleased that Andrew Smith will be joining Abrams. In him, we have found an experienced and extremely dedicated book publishing executive who will not only lead our exceptional children’s publishing program but also challenge us to expand and grow with new and creative opportunities.”
Scholastic Education has appointed Michael Haggen to the new role of chief academic officer, based in New York and reporting to president Greg Worrell. Haggen first joined Scholastic last summer as the National Consultant for School Transformation Services, after serving in executive positions in three school districts (the East Baton Rouge Parish School System; the St. Louis Public Schools; and New Orleans’ Recovery School District).
Hachette Book Group’s week of promotions continues with Little, Brown and its imprints. Josh Kendall has been promoted to vp, editorial director, Mulholland Books and executive editor, Little, Brown; Amanda Brower and Jean Garnett are both promoted to associate editor. Kendall and Brower report to Judy Clain, while Garnett will report to Tracy Behar. In addition, Carina Guiterman moves up to assistant editor, Lee Boudreaux Books.
In marketing and publicity, Pam Brown has been promoted to associate director of marketing, Little, Brown and marketing director, Mulholland, while Lisa Erickson is promoted to associate director of marketing, both reporting to Craig Young. Sabrina Callahan is taking on the new role of director of publicity, Mulholland, while Elizabeth Garriga has been promoted to director of publicity, Little Brown and Julie Ertl moves up to associate publicist.
At Chronicle Books, Mercury Ellis and Graham Barry are both promoted to distribution client account manager; Tracy Turpen moves up to associate manager of operations; and Francesca Kelly is promoted to operations coordinator.
Cristina Arreola has joined Bustle as books editor. Previously she was associate editor at Latina.com and Latina magazine.
Awards
R.L. Stine is the winner of the Chicago Tribune Young Adult Literary Award.
The Paris Review’s Plimpton Prize for Fiction honoring a new voice published in the magazine goes to David Szalay for his novellas Youth and Lascia Amor e siegui Marte, and their Terry Southern Prize (“recognizing humor, wit, and sprezzatura”) goes to Chris Bachelder for his novel The Throwback Special.
Obituary
Booker Prize-winning author of Hotel Du Lac and 23 other novels Anita Brookner, 87, died on March 10. A notice in the Times indicated she had asked not to have a funeral.
Initiatives
NetGalley has launched its service in German at Netgalley.de, as previously announced last October. The platform is a collaboration between NetGalley and vorablesen.de.
Distribution
Penguin Random House India will distribute Pushkin Press in the Indian subcontinent as of April 1.