Victoria Wells Arms is joining Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency as of May 1, bringing her clients over from Wells Arms Literary. Ken Brooks, Bill Kasdorf, Thad McIlroy, Bill Rosenblatt and Bill Trippe are coming together in a powerhouse alignment of “independent consultants with complementary expertise,” forming Publishing Technology Partners. They are calling it a “one-stop destination for addressing your publishing technology challenges and opportunities at a strategic level and implementing practical, effective solutions tailored to fit your needs.” Their announcement notes: “We recognized that no one of us could solve all of the technology problems of every publisher. But together we’re convinced that we’ve […]
Bookstores
Controlling Stake In Waterstones Sold to Elliott Advisors
As has been expected since they initiated an exclusive negotiation period at the end of January, hedge fund Elliott Advisors has reached a deal to acquire and finance UK bookselling chain Waterstones, for undisclosed terms. They are financing the transaction — a good portion of which likely includes either the assumption, or repayment, of Waterstones’ debt of between 83 million and 139 million pounds — themselves. Current owner Alexander Mamut’s Lynwood Investments will retain a minority stake, however, and the deal is expected to close in early May. James Daunt will stay on as ceo of the chain. Head of […]
People, Etc.
Interim director of English PEN since August 2017 Antonia Byatt has been made the organization’s standing director. Lena Moses-Schmitt was promoted to publicity manager for Catapult, Counterpoint and Soft Skull. Kate Hutchison has joined LSC Communications as director of business development and strategy, publisher services, focusing on creating digital solutions within the publishing industry. She was most recently at BookShout. On Twitter, Ginger Clark at Curtis Brown offers “an incomplete list of [30] literary agent nightmares.” Awards Ibrahim Nasrallah won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction for his second novel, The Second War of the Dog (Arab Scientific Publishers. The $50,000 […]
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Janine Barlow and Samantha Zukergood have both been promoted to assistant editor at Thomas Dunne Books. At Dutton, Jamie Knapp has been promoted to associate director of publicity, and Becky Odell moves up to associate publicist. James Hegberg has been promoted to senior online marketing manager at Sourcebooks. At Random House Children’s books, on the licensed & proprietary brands marketing team: Krister Engstrom has been promoted to assistant director, Tara Grieco moves up to associate marketing manager, and Jena Debois is now marketing coordinator. Sarah Gaydos will join Oni Press as editorial director of licensed publishing. She has been an editor at IDW Publishing. Rebecca Vnuk has joined LibraryReads […]
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Sourcebooks has appointed Moxie & Company as their brand licensing agency. More changes to UK-based website Pottermore have resulted in some layoffs. BuzzFeed had suggested there were “significant” reductions, citing only a “well-placed source.” A company spokesperson told the site, “As a result of a reorganization at Pottermore, there have been a small number of job losses. These reflect the evolution of the business and are being handled as sensitively as possible.” Pottermore tells the Bookseller the job cuts are related to an “exciting new strategy” they will unveil soon. According to their annual filings with Companies House, the workforce […]
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Ken Wright has been promoted to the newly created position of president and publisher, Viking Children’s and Philomel. Each imprint will retain its autonomous identity and editorial direction. Of Wright’s promotion, Penguin Young Readers president Jen Loja said in the announcement: “Viking and Philomel are home to some of our most beloved classics and dynamic new voices. Viking has flourished under Ken’s direction.” In addition, Jill Santopolo has been promoted to associate publisher, Philomel. Loja commented: “Jill’s editorial vision and commi tment to finding anddeveloping new talent, coupled with Ken’s seasoned leadership, will ensure Philomel continues to evolve and thrive as […]