Obits

Adams Media editor Peter Archer died unexpectedly at home last week. He joined Adams in 2007 after teaching college history and working at Dungeons & Dragons publisher TSR, and worked extensively on Adams’s role-playing game books and other titles. VP publisher Karen Cooper said, “It’s difficult to imagine a more gentle-hearted, learned, or humble man than Peter Archer. Peter brought a lifetime—and a vast range—of knowledge to his position as development editor. His mastery of history, religion, and politics was matched only by his passion for Scottish knitting, the Beatles, and all things RPG. Peter would be the first to share […]

Former academic publisher Michael Holdsworth, 73, died September 9 of a heart attack while vacationing in France. Cambridge University Press, where he worked until 2006, called him, “Arguably the strongest publishing presence in the entire organization with a well-justified reputation as one of the most original, thoughtful and clear-sighted non-fiction book publishers in the world.” In addition to his accomplishments as a publisher, Holdsworth was a pioneer in converting much of CUP’s backlist to print on demand in the early days of the technology.

Penguin Random House vp, backlist sales Candice Chaplin, 53, died on Wednesday. She had cancer. In a statement, Penguin Random House said, “As VP, Director, Backlist Sales, her storied career with Penguin Random House was not only marked by her leadership and fierce sense of what was required for success but her unwavering friendship and incredible sense of humor. In many ways, she was the heart and soul of the Sales department. Our thoughts are with Candice’s loving family, and our colleagues, who will miss her deeply.”

Longtime president of Thames & Hudson for over 30 years before his retirement in 2010 — and author of books including Lifestyle and The Mole — Peter Warner, 79, died on September 9 from complications due to MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome).  The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please honor him with donations to the foundation: www.mds-foundation.org/donate. A memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced.

Penguin Random House vp, director, digital strategy and consumer engagement Erika Seyfried, 36, died in Vermont on Sunday. She had been staying at a vacation home with her husband near the Saxtons River and was reported missing after leaving to walk her dog. Penguin Random House said Seyfried, “Established herself as a marketing leader through the innovative digital campaigns she developed for our books. Her reader-centric approach to consumers, her social-media prowess, and her tireless nurturing of our authors earned her reverence throughout our company and our industry. With her forward-looking, inclusive approach to every team and project she led, […]

A memorial for the late Lynn C. Franklin, who passed away on July 19, will be held on Wednesday, September 29 at 6:00 pm at The Cosmopolitan Club, 122 East 66 Street, in New York City.