Michael Ballanco has been hired as Hachette Book Group’s as svp, chief information officer, starting September 28, filling the position vacated by Ralph Munsen. Ballanco was CIO at the Warner Music Group and prior to that at EMI Music. Caitlin McDonald has joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She was formerly an associate agent at Sterling Lord Literistic. At Grove Atlantic, Peter Blackstock has been promoted to senior editor. In addition, John Mark Boling moves up to senior publicity manager, Justina Batchelor has been promoted to publicity manager, and Becca Putman has been promoted to sales and marketing associate and academic marketing manager. […]
Distribution
Hachette Book Group Consolidates Full US Distribution of Hachette UK
In a logical if perhaps overdue more, Hachette Book Group has announced that as of January 2016 they will handle full sales and distribution for Hachette UK titles in the United States. HBG has represented some Hachette UK lines — such as Octopus Books — for many years, and recently added others, like the Asterix line, in early 2015, along with acquired lines such Quercus, which was purchased by Hachette UK in mid-2014. And HBG has handled most Hachette UK titles in Canada since 2010. But other Hachette UK titles remained with Trafalgar Square for US distribution. HBG says that Hachette […]
People, Etc.
Andy Dodds will join Grand Central Publishing as associate director of publicity on September 2. Previously he was associate director of publicity at William Morrow. Brette Dorris has joined Ingram Content Group as senior sales representative for public and school libraries in the Midwest. Previously he was a sales representative with Brodart and Book Wholesalers. Former Amazon Publishing employee, now executive editor at Dey Street Books, Julia Cheiffetz tells her story of employment at the etailer — from a health insurance glitch while on maternity leave, to returning to find her staff was reporting to someone else: “Jeff: You asked […]
People, Etc.
At National Geographic Books, Hilary Black has been promoted to deputy editor, taking on a larger strategic and managerial role in acquisitions and positioning. In addition, Bridget English has been promoted to senior editor and Anne Smyth has been appointed as a full-time project manager. Karen Fink has joined Putnam as associate director of publicity. Previously she was deputy director of publicity at Grand Central. At Dutton, Liza Cassity has been promoted to publicity manager. Terry Vaughn, who held editorial positions at MIT, Oxford, and Princeton University Presses, died August 6 at the University Medical Center of Princeton from complications […]
People, Etc.
Obituaries Longtime Knopf editor, translator, and director of foreign rights Carol Brown Janeway, 71, died early Monday morning at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, two weeks after being diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Janeway joined Knopf in March 1970 and over 45 years at the publishing house she was, as Sonny Mehta noted in the announcement, “an esteemed figure here and abroad, and central to our publication of great international works of literature Authors loved her. Agents respected her. And foreign publishers trusted her. I hasten to add — she was also a formidable dealmaker. She leaves behind an enduring legacy as an editor […]
People, Etc.
Juan Felipe Herrera has been named Poet Laureate, the first Latino writer to receive the honor since its inception in 1936. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said in the announcement that Herrera’s poems “champion voices, traditions and histories, as well as a cultural perspective, which is a vital part of our larger American identity.” Herrera told the Washington Post: “I’m looking forward to a whole new world — and a new me. The times now seem to be evolving with voices of color. All voices are important, and yet it seems that people of color have a lot to […]