Diverse Editions, which dressed twelve classic books from Penguin Random House in new dust jackets featuring typically white characters reimagined as people of different races, was “suspended” following a quick wave of online criticism and accusations of “literary blackface.” Comprising such titles as Moby Dick, Romeo and Juliet, and The Secret Garden, the new covers were scheduled to launch Wednesday evening at the Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue in NYC. A panel discussion as part of that launch, including manager, business development and business department at the Fifth Avenue store Cal Hunter and assistant marketing manager at Penguin Random […]
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Jessica Friedman has joined Sterling Lord Literistic as agent. She was previously at The Wylie Agency. Sara O’Keeffe has joined Aevitas Creative Management UK as an agent, based in London, representing literary and commercial fiction, along with some middle-grade and YA fiction. She was previously publishing director of Corvus. Megan Fishman has been promoted to vp/associate publisher, publicity for Catapult/Counterpoint Press/Soft Skull. At Random House, Cindy Murray has been promoted to senior publicity director, Christian Publishing/Forum. Jordan Pace and Erin Richards have each been promoted to associate publicist. Imprints Emily Books is shutting down after their final title publishes on March […]
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Otto Penzler has taken sole ownership of the Mysterious Press, after nine years of operating as an imprint at Grove Atlantic. The line will publish 10 books through Grove Atlantic in 2020, and starting in 2021 the Mysterious Press will be distributed by Norton. (Norton already distributes Penzler Publishers two other imprints.) Penzler said in the announcement, “Working with Morgan Entrekin at Grove Atlantic has been one of the singular pleasures of my career. He has been enormously supportive and generous throughout our years of working together. There is no greater gentleman in the world of publishing than he is, […]
Alice Mayhew Dies at 87
Simon & Schuster announced “with great sadness” that renowned vp and editorial director Alice Mayhew, 87, died peacefully at home earlier today. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. She joined Simon & Schuster in 1971 (following editorial positions and Harper & Row and Random House). CEO Carolyn Reidy writes that, “In her nearly fifty years here she established herself as a true mainstay of our publishing efforts, editing a distinguished list of writers in history, biography, journalism, politics, contemporary affairs and popular culture. Four authors published by her were awarded the Pulitzer Prize—Taylor Branch, […]
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Dover Publications editor Stephanie Castillo Samoy will leave the company on February 7 due to layoffs. She can be reached at scastillosamoy@gmail.com. She is part of a wave of layoffs at the company that is expected eliminate 23 jobs from a staff of 59, announced last November in a notice filed with the state. The layoffs are a small part of much broader cuts underway at Dover’s parent company, LSC Communications. Christina Garces has joined Chronicle Books as senior editor for food and lifestyle. She was previously with Harper Design. At Doubleday, Michael Goldsmith has been promoted to director of publicity. […]
Mary Higgins Clark Dies at 92
NYT bestselling suspense novelist Mary Higgins Clark died Friday of natural causes at 92 in Naples, FL. Simon & Schuster ceo Carolyn Reidy wrote: “It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Mary’s contribution to our success, and her role in the modern history of Simon & Schuster. Beginning in 1975 with the publication of WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN, each of her 56 books has been a bestseller. There are more than 100 million copies of her books in print in the United States; they are international bestsellers and have been translated into every major and many less well-known languages. […]