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 […]
Bookstores
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 […]
People, Etc.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced that evp and chief learning officer Rosamund Else-Mitchell will leave effective June 28. She will receive a year’s salary, among other benefits. An agreement between the parties “also provides for a release of certain claims by Ms. Else-Mitchell against the company, mutual non-disparagement obligations, certain confidentiality requirements, and non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions for a period of 12 months.” Shannon Donnelly has joined Diversion Books as marketing manager. Kandi Rich has joined Sourcebooks as graphic designer. Molly Koecher will join Longleaf Services as operations manager. She was previously vice president and general manager of Sunrise River Press, […]
Waiting for Readerlink, Investor Agitates and Barnes & Noble Shares Ebb
In the absence of real news about bidding for Barnes & Noble, agitator and modest BN investor Richard Schottenfeld filed paperwork with the SEC in which he asks for a better price than the $6.50 a share deal with Elliott Advisors. The stake controlled by Schottenfeld and related investors is down to under 2.5 million shares, or about 3.4 percent of the company. The statement expresses “the view that the Company is worth considerably more than the agreed-upon sale price,” and they “believe that the special committee, including its Chairman, Mark Carlton, has failed in its duty to maximize value […]
People, Etc.
At Simon & Schuster, Allison Stegeland has been promoted to the newly created position of international sales manager. Shannon Grant joins the independent sales team as field sales account manager for the Southern California and Arizona region as well as select educational jobbers. She was previously senior children’s book buyer at Books Inc. Gabrielle Greco becomes telesales manager, starting June 17. Melissa Hurt joins as telesales manager, effective June 24. She was previously sales support coordinator for special markets at Harper Collins. Kristen Bianco has been promoted to associate publicist for Algonquin Books and Algonquin Children’s. Morgan Hoit will join […]
Briefs
Boston Globe books editor Paul Makishima has left the newspaper. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have another production deal; under this one, their production company Higher Ground will “develop and produce podcasts” exclusive to Spotify. The Obamas “are expected to participate in at least some of the podcasts, which “could potentially mean hosting, narrating or interview roles.” Entertainment Weekly, which has continued to provide substantive coverage of books and authors, will become a monthly publication as of August. New editor-in-chief JD Heyman insists in the press release, despite all reason, that “With the transition to a new monthly frequency, readers […]