At WaterBrook, Multnomah and Convergent, Keren Baltzer has joined Convergent Books as editorial director, reporting to Tina Constable. She was previously senior acquisitions editor at FaithWords. Becky Nesbitt joins as executive editor, acquiring books for WaterBrook, reporting to Laura Barker. She was previously vp, editor-in-chief of Howard Books. Paul Pastor has joined as editor for WaterBrook and Multnomah, reporting to Laura Barker. Pastor previously worked as a freelance collaborator, writer, editor, and consultant. Porscha Burke moves over from Random House, becoming senior editor, publishing manager, Christian projects, reporting to Campbell Wharton. Louise Quayle has joined Audible as a director of […]
Oni Press/Lion Forge Merger Leads to Controversial Layoffs
Since comics publisher Oni Press merged with Lion Forge and its parent company Polarity on May 8, critics charge that layoffs disproportionately targeted marginalized employees, especially queer women and women of color. The Daily Beast reports that those fired included editor-in-chief Andrea Colvin and associate editor (and Eisner award-winning cartoonist) Christina “Steenz” Stewart. In total, nine people were laid off, including Oni’s only black editor and two employees who had requested accommodations for their disabilities. Online criticism began when the merger was announced in the NYT. Editor Desiree Wilson posted on Twitter, “I, the only black person at Oni, just got […]
People, Etc.
Len Wiggins moves over to Penguin Random House Audio as of July 22 in the new position of vp, audio finance and strategy, reporting to Susan Livingston, svp, strategic business planning. Wiggins was previously senior director, finance and analysis, Penguin Random House. At Vintage Anchor, Angie Venezia has been promoted to associate director of publicity and Julie Ertl to publicity manager, both reporting to Russell Perreault, vp/executive director of publicity and social media. Melissa Esner has been promoted to associate marketing director for Crown and Hogarth; Katie Tull to assistant marketing manager for Random House, Dial, Modern Library, and One […]
People, Etc.
Digital director and publisher at Bloomsbury Publishing Stephanie Duncan leaves the company this week: “I’ve loved working at Bloomsbury, it’s been challenging, fun and great to work with such brilliant colleagues, authors and books. After over twenty years here, it’s time for me to do something new, somewhere new.” She oversaw the first official Harry Potter website, Bloomsbury’s global ebook operations and the digital-first imprint Bloomsbury Reader. She can be reached at stephanie@duncan.uk.com Arcadia Publishing has hired Shane Hennigan as sales specialist; and Ashley Hill and Hayley Behal as production editors for History Press. Katelyn Jenkins returns to Arcadia as acquisitions […]
Apple Books’ Best So Far
Apple Books chose 16 books as their best of the year so far. Titles that overlap with Amazon’s list include: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (Amazon’s top pick); The River by Peter Heller; Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene; Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe; and Underland by Robert Macfarlane. The rest of the picks feature: Normal People, By Sally Rooney The Paris Diversion, by Chris Pavone Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James The Friend Zone, by Abby Jimenez Blood Relations, by Jonathan Moore Patsy, by Nicole Dennis-Benn The Light Years, by Chris Rush Tinsel, by Devney Perry The […]
People, Etc.
Vicki Lame has been promoted to senior editor at St. Martin’s and Wednesday Books. At Delacorte, Kelsey Horton has been promoted to editor; Monica Jean and Audrey Ingerson to associate editor; and Alexandra Hightower to assistant editor. At Random House Children’s, Stacey Sundar has joined as creative services administrator. She previously worked freelance for Clarkson Potter. Joshua Redlich has been promoted senior publicist, while Sydney Tillman has been promoted to publicist. Emi Ikkanda will join Seal Press as senior editor on July 1. Most recently, she was senior editor at Spiegel & Grau. Ben Willis will join Bonnier Books UK […]