The New York Times Book Review announced personnel changes, with Greg Cowles moving up to senior editor for the Books desk. Previously he was a preview editor for fiction and poetry. Two new hires will replace Cowles and Jennifer Szalai, who was recently named nonfiction book critic. Tina Jordan, formerly the books editor for Entertainment Weekly, will become a fiction preview editor and Inside the List bestseller columnist. She will “work on literary fiction, as well as science fiction and fantasy, horror, thrillers and romance coverage.” Emily Eakin has joined as preview editor, covering fiction and nonfiction reviews and editing essays for the Book Review. She previously worked as a senior editor at The New Yorker, with writing appearing in The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New Republic, New York, The New York Review of Books Daily, and more, as well as in The Times Book Review.
Hanna Otero has been hired as publisher of Lonely Planet Kids, starting January 8, based in New York. She was editorial director at Sterling Children’s. Lisa Ford is production manager for the line and they plan to hire an art eirector and editor for the team, which is divided between New York and London. Managing director of publishing Piers Pickard says the hire “marks a major step in our expansion of the imprint in the US, where we see huge opportunity in children’s publishing.”
Tim Sullivan will become executive director of the University of California Press in February. He has been editorial director of Harvard Business Review Press. UC vice provost for academic personal and programs Susan Carlson says in the announcement: “Tim’s ability to work with current and prospective authors to advance the global recognition of their works is especially anticipated and welcomed.”
At Avery/TarcherPerigee, Lindsay Gordon has been promoted to associate publisher; Anne Kosmoski to publicity director; Casey Maloney to associate publicity director; and Farin Schlussel to marketing manager.
Elizabeth Ault has been promoted to acquisitions editor at Duke University Press.
Laura Simeon has joined Kirkus Media in the new role of young adult editor. Previously she was library learning commons director and diversity coordinator for Open Window School in Bellevue, WA.
Kristen Luby has joined the school & library team at Macmillan Children’s as marketing manager.
Rayya Elias, 57, author of the memoir Harley Loco and partner of author Elizabeth Gilbert, died. Gilbert wrote in an Instagram post, “Thank you for letting me walk with you right to the edge of the river. It has been the greatest honor of my life.”
Acquisitions
Alaska-based Epicenter Press has acquired Coffeetown Enterprises, including Coffeetown Press, Camel Press, and Fanny Press imprints.
Awards
In the UK, Hearst is launching a Big Book Festival initiative, presenting book-focused awards as well as live events, that will be deployed across their magazine brands. “Readers of Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prima, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Elle, Red, Women’s Health and Men’s Health will be encouraged to get involved and vote. Each brand will have a category assigned to it such as Crime or Modern Classics.” Managing director of Hearst Brand Services Judith Secombe says: “By creating the Big Book Festival, we’re aiming to help boost the amazing work of authors across the country, as well as offering publishers the chance to amplify their consumer outreach campaigns by having the Hearst stamp of approval.”