James Jordan will retire as president and director of Columbia University Press in September after more than nine years. During his tenure CUP launched the Columbia Business School Publishing imprint, developed a new book series with the Columbia Journalism Review, and reinvested in life science publishing, economics, recent American history, and international affairs publishing. “Jim has been a very effective steward at the Press during the last nine years,” said Columbia provost John Coatsworth in the announcement. “We are truly indebted to him for the professionalism and vigor that he brought to the table, both as an editor and as […]
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Editor-at-large and former editor of the New York Times Book Review Charles McGrath is leaving the NYT after taking a buyout, Poynter reports, though he will continue to write occasional pieces for the paper. At Kensington, Vida Engstrand has been promoted to assistant director of publicity, while Peter Senftleben moves up to associate editor. Julia O’Halloran has joined DK Publishing as publicist. Previously she was a publicist at William Morrow. Suzy Lucas has been hired as prize administrator for the UK’s new Literature Prize. She was literature consultant to the BFI’s Film Fund. Lucas began her career at Bloomsbury and went […]
Haruf’s BENEDICTION Leads March Indie Next List, Plus February Amazon and BN Picks
Amazon and Barnes & Noble both posted their February “books of the month”–and both booksellers agree with the Indie Next list in selecting Herman Koch’s THE DINNER and Karen Russell’s VAMPIRES IN THE LEMON GROVE (as long as you have read her splendid SWAMPLANDIA! first). The WSJ also echoes the positioning of Koch’s book as “the European GONE GIRL” today. Additionally, Amazon picks: Wise Men, Stuart Nadler (their “spotlight” selection) Schroder, Amity Gaige After Visiting Friends: A Son’s Story, Michael Hainey A History of Future Cities, Daniel Brook Autobiography of Us, Aria Beth Sloss How Literature Saved My Life, […]
People: Harrison Moves Up to Scribner EIC
Recently promoted Scribner publisher Nan Graham announced to staff on Wednesday that senior editor Colin Harrison has been promoted to fill Graham’s previous position of editor-in-chief. She writes: “Some of you may believe Colin already has had a leadership role at Scribner, so authoritative is he, such a mentor and guide, not just to our own staff, but to the many, across all imprints, who have benefited from his wisdom and experience at his Standing Room Only Editing 101 class.” Harrison has been at Scribner for 11 years. Martyn Beeny has joined the University of Nebraska Press as marketing manager, […]
People, Etc.: Mantel Wins Overall Costa Prize
Hilary Mantel won the Costa Book of the Year Prize Tuesday afternoon for BRING UP THE BODIES, making her the first author to win the Booker and Costa for the same book. Judging chair Jenni Murray said the unanimous decision took “less than an hour”, telling the Guardian: “One book simply stood head and shoulders, more than head and shoulders … on stilts, above the rest. We had a really good discussion, like being at a high-powered book club, and I said, ‘OK, let’s have a vote on Bring up the Bodies’ and every hand went up.” Accepting the prize, […]
People, Etc.
Juliet Pickering will move to Blake Friedmann in the UK on February 4 as a book agent. She was most recently at AP Watt (now part of United Agents). Pickering’s client list is moving with her. At NetGalley, Stuart Evers has been hired as UK community manager, based in London, and Steve Manes joins the development team. The electronic galley service’s community recently passed 100,000 members. At parent company Firebrand, Steve Rutberg has been hired as director of marketing and sales. He has held positions at WoltersKluwer Health, Taylor & Francis, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Prentice Hall, and McGraw-Hill. Additionally, Annie Johnston […]