Anna Knutson has joined Barer Literary as foreign rights director. Knutson was previously a senior literary scout at Maria B. Campbell Associates. Stephanie Kim has joined Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as senior publicist. Previously she was public relations coordinator at Hulu. Sara Grubb has joined the Irene Goodman Literary Agency full-time to manage the agency’s audio rights. Karen Li will join OwlKids as editorial director on July 15. Previously she was a senior editor at Kids Can Press. Simone Garzella Literary Scouting has been appointed US literary scout for Massolit Forlag in Sweden and KRP in Turkey. Award-winning journalist for Rolling […]
Free
Gelfman Schneider Joins ICM In Latest “Strategic Alliance”
In another move that signals the growing consolidation of literary agencies, ICM Partners announced a new strategic alliance with Gelfman Schneider, who will now do business as Gelfman/Schneider/ICM (but will still retain their Seventh Avenue offices.) ICM says the partnership “increases the footprint…of the publishing unit and solidifies its status as a market leader among the talent and literary agencies.” Clients on the Gelfman Schneider list include Jeffery Deaver, David Rabe, Lauren Weisberger, Chris Bohjalian, and the estate for Evan Hunter/Ed McBain. Last November, ICM set up a similar strategic alliance with the Washington, DC-based Sagalyn Agency. In addition, Curtis […]
People, Etc.
Ira Silverberg will leave the National Endowment of the Arts, where he has been director of literature since October 2011, on July 11 and return to New York City, saying in a statement “the demands of family are such that I must return.” Literature program officer Amy Stolls has been appointed acting director of literature until a permanent hire is in place. At the Random House Speakers Bureau, Caitlin McCaskey has joined as agent direct. Previously she worked at the HarperCollins Speakers Bureau. In addition, Jayme Boucher has been promoted to senior agent. Lynda Zuber Sassi will rejoin Chronicle Books […]
People, Etc.
Beth Lamb will join Vintage/Anchor on June 19 in the newly created position of vp, associate publisher, reporting to Anne Messitte. Previously she was associate publisher, trade books at Rodale. Messitte said in the announcement that Lamb “very much shares our belief that paperback and digital publishing today require creativity, innovation, and flexible strategies, that our authors are the center of all that we do, and that successful publishing relies on a deep understanding of the marketplace and consumer interests. Recognizing the potential of a robust backlist — sensing opportunities and acting on them — is a part of Beth’s […]
People, Etc.
Tim Ditlow has left Amazon Children’s, where he was associate publisher (after working for Amazon-owned Brilliance Audio since 2008). Michelle Nagler will join Random House Children’s Books on July 15 as associate publishing director for the Random House/Golden Books group, reporting to Mallory Loehr. Nagler is currently editorial director at Bloomsbury Children’s. Editorial director for Stepping Stones Jennifer Arena; executive editor Shana Corey, and associate editor and Chelsea Eberly will report to Nagler going forward. Harper Christian has created a Zondervan Gift Books unit, which “indicates Zondervan’s intention to place a strong focus on inspirational gift books, devotionals and journals. […]
Springer Decides on IPO; Pottermore Offers More
The longstanding efforts by private equity owners EQT and the Singaporean sovereign-wealth fund to sell Springer Science have taken yet another twist. They will walk away from BC Partners’ recent offer to buy the entire company for approximately €3.1 billion, and instead will go ahead with the long-contemplated IPO. The WSJ says that share offering “could value Springer Science at more than €3 billion, people familiar with the matter have said previously” — as well it should if they turned down that sum as a full buyout. They have been trying, since last fall, to get a valuation of closer […]