Along with the significant shutdown of the nation’s public libraries, independent booksellers are joining the call for social distancing and closing on a temporary basis, at least to the public, with many stores continuing to process shipments and/or make deliveries. Powell’s Books is among the most prominent to close so far, at least through the end of March, shuttering all five retail locations while continuing to operate online. New York area stores announcing closures include Astoria Bookshop, Three Lives & Company, Inquiring Minds (New Paltz), and Words Bookstore (Maplewood, NJ). Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor, MI was among the first […]
Bookstores
Briefs: A New Wilkerson Book, Elliott Bay Unionizes, and More
People Liz Van Doren has been promoted to vp, executive editorial director at Highlights for Children. Forthcoming Isabel Wilkerson‘s next book, CASTE: THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENT, will be published by Random House on August 20. Her first book since the 2010 Pulitzer-winning The Warmth of Other Suns, it’s about “the human impulse to create hierarchies runs across societies and cultures.” Bookselling Workers at Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle have unionized, creating the newly formed Book Workers Union, which has been recognized by management. They write in their mission statement, “We organize because our people are what make Elliott […]
People, Etc.
Tim Holman will step down as the publisher of Orbit UK to focus on his role as svp and publisher of Orbit in the US, though he will continue to work from London. HBG ceo Michael Pietsch says, “I’m extremely happy that he has decided to devote 100% of his time and talent to even greater growth and creative publishing in the US market. Anna Jackson will move up to publisher of Orbit UK in April, reporting to Charlie King. Paola Crespo has been promoted to marketing manager at Orbit. At St. Martin’s publishing group: Rebecca Lang has been promoted to […]
People, Etc.
At Abrams Children’s Books, Hallie Patterson has been promoted to director of publicity and Brooke Shearouse to publicity manager. In the UK, John Murray publisher Mark Richards and Profile Books commercial director Diana Broccardo have founded Swift Press. They expect to publish 6 to 8 titles in 2021. The principal investors are Geoffrey Faber Holdings and Set Copyrights, co-owners of Faber & Faber. It’s the first time they have invested in another publisher. Swift will join the Independent Alliance for sales. Duke University press editorial director since 2005 Ken Wissoker is staying with the house, now as senior executive editor, […]
People, Etc.
Sarah Malarkey will join Ten Speed Press as an executive editor, reporting to Lorena Jones. She was previously executive editorial director at Chronicle Books for two decades. At Mountaineers Books, publisher for 20 years Helen Cherullo will move into the role of executive director of conservation and advancement on March 1 to focus on philanthropic development. Director of finance and operations Tom Helleberg will succeed her as publisher. Darryl Booker will move up to director of sales and marketing. At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Katherine Devendorf has been promoted to executive managing editor. Julia McCarthy becomes associate editor at Atheneum. Michelle […]
Briefs: Bologna Book Fair Postponed
Bologna Children’s Book Fair, due to open on March 30, has been postponed to May 4 – May 7 due to the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19 to Italy, where five people have died of the virus so far. A note on the fair’s website says, “We will be releasing further organizational details in a few hours.” Hallmark is launching a line of mass market paperbacks in partnership with Walmart on February 25. One Hallmark romance novel will be highlighted each week, beginning with Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen. Stacey Donovan, director, Hallmark Publishing, said in the release, “We believe Walmart shoppers […]