No Reservations television host and author of Kitchen Confidential and Medium Raw, Anthony Bourdain, will develop an an eponymous line of books with his publisher Ecco, planning on issue three to five books a year. The announcement says he will “acquire books that reflect his remarkably eclectic tastes.” As usual, Bourdain was represented by his agent Kim Witherspoon at Inkwell Management, who negotiated the deal with Ecco president and publisher Daniel Halpern. In the release, Bourdain says, “I’m doing this because…I can. Anyone who loves books, I think, given the opportunity to work with a legendary character like Daniel Halpern, […]
New Imprints
People, Etc.
At Penguin, Molly Barton has been promoted to vp, digital publishing and business development and strategy. Earlier this year she was responsible for launching the writing community website Book Country and was also responsible for developing Penguin eSpecials, expanding the publisher’s relationship with Starz, and spearheading Penguin’s enhanced ebook app program. Meagan Stacey has joined Crown as editor, trade paperbacks, reporting to Tina Pohlman. Previously she was an editor at Mariner Books. Project Gutenberg founder Michael S. Hart died September 6 at his home in Urbana, IL. He was 64 and the cause of death was not disclosed. He is […]
Ruckus Forms Imprint with Scholastic
Children’s app and interactive storybook developer Ruckus Media Group is creating a transmedia imprint in collaboration with children’s giant Scholastic, called Scholastic Ruckus. From a service standpoint it looks a bit like a distribution agreement–Ruckus remains fully independent, and Scholastic will handle print, ebook and enhnanced ebook publishing and distribution for intellectual property controlled by Ruckus (and Ruckus will continue to produce and sell children’s apps). But the relationship also allows for more comprehensive joint development and exploitation across all of Scholastic’s sales and marketing channels, with input from Scholastic’s creative and executive teams. Part of “what makes it an […]
People, Etc.
Nicole de Jackmo has been named publicity manager for Quirk Books. Previously she was a senior publicist for Running Press. Meghan Cassidy joins Free Press as senior publicist as of Monday, August 15. Previously she was a senior account executive at Widmeyer Communications. Joy Aquilino has joined Sixth&Spring Books as editorial director. Previously she was executive editor of Watson-Guptill/Potter Craft. At Phaidon Press, Peter Tittiger has been promoted to publicist. At Lonely Planet, Gary Todoroff has been promoted to v-p, sales, Brice Gosnell moves up to v-p, publishing, and publisher, Americas, Marc Visnick has been promoted to director of sales, […]
People: Welby and Martin to Run Putnam & Riverhead Publicity Departments
Alexis Welby will join Putnam as director of publicity and Jynne Martin has been named director of publicity for Riverhead, as part of “a new strategic publicity structure that focuses on the editorial strengths of each imprint” and creates two separate publicity teams. Welby was most recently associate director of publicity for Simon & Schuster, and Martin was associate director of publicity for the Random House Publishing Group. Both start on September 6, reporting to executive director of publicity Marilyn Ducksworth. Mih-Ho Cha will remain senior publicity director for both imprints, while Michael Barson will move into a new role as senior […]
Monacelli Press Buys Back Its Independence
Publisher and founder of The Monacelli Press Gianfranco Monacelli has led a buyback of the publisher of visual arts, design, and architecture books from Random House, which purchased the unit in early 2008. Terms were not disclosed, but Monacelli will become a sales and distribution client of Random House Publisher Services. Monacelli says in the release that his line’s sales “more than doubled” in the three years it was part of Random House. “As an independent company once again, we look forward to continuing to expand our distinctive and individualized publishing program.” The press’s staff will continue to use the […]