Author, essayist, screenwriter, bon vivant, and public intellectual Gore Vidal, 86, died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia. His 25 novels included THE CITY AND THE PILLAR (1948), JULIAN (1964), and MYRA BRECKENRIDGE (1968), as well as a trilogy of crime novels written under the pseudonym Edgar Box, though he was more famous to younger generations for his bon mots and television appearances. His editor for over a decade Gerry Howard said in a brief statement: “Gore Vidal was the last surviving giant of a postwar crop of American literary giants. He was also that rare American writer who spoke not […]
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At S&S Children’s, Hannah Buchsbaum has joined Little Simon as associate editor. Previously she was at Disney Press. Michael Rediker is joining Books-a-Million as corporate development analyst, responsible for identifying, analyzing and implementing strategic corporate initiatives within the organization, including new business growth opportunities. He will report to evp James Turner. He was most recently with the investment banking firm Paces Battle Group. Author Maeve Binchy, 72, died after what was reported as a short illness. Ireland’s RTE says she sold over 40 million books in 42 languages. Ireland’s president Michael Higgins called her “an outstanding novelist, short story writer and columnist” and […]
People, Etc.: Atria Partners With Short Books on Marble Arch Press
In its first international co-publishing agreement, Atria will publish approximately 12 titles annually in print and digital formats from UK publisher Short Books’ list under the banner Marble Arch Press. The fall list will launch with The J M Barrie Ladies’ Swimming Society by Barbara J Zitwer, The House on Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff, and For the Love of Letters by John O’Connell. Atria executive vp and publisher Judith Curr said in the announcement: “Even as digital distribution and marketing take on ever-greater importance in our industry, quality content remains the driving force in successful publishing. The Short Books […]
People: Jones Takes Over at Bookseller
At the UK’s The Bookseller, deputy editor Philip Jones has been promoted to be editor, taking over from editor-in-chief Neill Denny who “is leaving to follow new opportunities but will remain an integral part” of the magazine’s editorial team, including writing a new column starting in September. To file under “etc.” or enews, Weinstein Books has a promotional twist for an ebook giveaway. Their ebook of You Changed My Life: A Memoir, by Abdel Sellou, the man whose life story is the basis of the Weinstein movie The Intouchables, is available free between July 27 and August 3. Moviegoers will receive a […]
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At Italy’s Garzanti Libri, editorial director Oliviero Ponte di Pino has resigned after more than 20 years there. Paolo Zaninoni, who has been editorial director of Rizzoli and BUR since 2003, will take over at a time to be announced. As part of the reorganization director of Garzanti foreign fiction Elisabetta Migliavada will also serve as director of Italian fiction. Nellie Kurtzman will join Little, Brown Books for Young Readers as vp, marketing. She was most recently director of digital and trade marketing at Disney/Hyperion. At PS Literary Agency, Irene Merritt has been named literary assistant. World Book Night US confirmed that their campaign will return […]
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Hachette UK is opening an office in Hong Kong, covering sales and marketing in all Southeast Asia territories excluding Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Paul Kenny, named to the new role of Southeast Asia sales and marketing manager, will manage the office as of September 17. He was most recently regional sales and marketing manager for Pan Macmillan Asia. “The establishment of an office in Hong Kong is part of our ongoing strategy to develop and manage our sales operations in all our markets,” group commercial director of Hachette UK Richard Kitson said in a statement. “It follows the establishment of […]