Founder of Writers House and chairman emeritus Albert Zuckerman, 94, has died, of natural causes. The agency writes: “A true legend of the industry, Al was the agent for some of the most important and best-read writers of our time, helping to bring era-defining books to tens of millions of readers around the world, including Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, Michael Lewis’s Moneyball and Professor Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time.” “At the beginning of his storied career, Al was a one-man shop, taking business meetings in a bank lobby; Al retired in 2020 after nearly 50 years, having overseen the […]
Obits
Ann Godoff Dies at 76
Penguin Press founder, president and editor-in-chief Ann Godoff died on Tuesday evening, from complications of bone cancer. She was 76. Penguin Press publisher Scott Moyers wrote, “Ann’s impact on American book culture over the past four decades is incalculable.An editor of an immense range in fiction, nonfiction and poetry, Ann shepherded into print innumerable New York Times bestsellers, multiple winners of every major award, and works that have appeared on all manner of best books lists – of the year, the decade, and the century. Beyond the industry accolades, her legacy should be measured in her success in helping authors […]
Obituary: Will Murphy
Editor and literary agent Will Murphy, 57, died of a heart attack at home in New York on February 1. As an editor at Random House, Murphy published Salman Rushdie, President Joe Biden, former US Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Reza Aslan, Edmund Morris, and Pope Francis. Most recently Murphy was an agent at Folio. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 3:00 pm at The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola (Park Avenue and 84th Street) followed by a reception from 4:00-6:00 pm. All are welcome. The service will also be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/wy6YaCgbrlE
Obituary: Toni Burbank
Former editor Toni Burbank, 85, died on January 9. She started in publishing at Columbia University Press and then moved to Bantam Books. Burbank worked at Bantam for more than 40 years, becoming a vice president and executive editor. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Bantam editor, Toni Burbank,” the team at Bantam said. “Toni was a legend who championed books that inspired readers to better understand themselves and the world around them. Her editorial vision, care for authors, and commitment to meaningful storytelling left a lasting mark on our company and her contributions remain an important […]
Obituary: Georges Borchardt
Literary agent Georges Borchardt, 97, died peacefully at home on January 18. He started his eponymous agency more than 60 years ago to represent French authors for the American market, and it grew to a full service agency representing fiction and nonfiction clients. “To those who worked with him, Georges was more than a legendary agent. He was a mentor, a fierce advocate, and a man of profound integrity and wit. His curiosity never faded, nor did his conviction that serious books matter. The standards he set—for excellence, independence, and loyalty—remain the foundation of our work,” the agency said in […]
Obituary: Scott Adams
Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comics and books, died on January 13 at 68. Last year, he announced that he had metastatic prostate cancer. He published several Dilbert collections and satirical business books. In 2023, following racist comments he made online, Adams’ agent Daniel Greenberg and publishers Andrews McMeel and Portfolio ended their relationships with him.