Elmore Leonard, 87, author of more than 40 novels who helped redefine the crime genre over the past four decades, died Tuesday morning at his home outside of Detroit from complications of a stroke he suffered earlier this month. His novels, many of which were the basis of successful film and television adaptations, included GET SHORTY, RUM PUNCH, 3:10 to YUMA, OUT OF SIGHT and, most recently, RAYLAN, and the Library of America had recently announced plans to publish the first of a three-volume collection of his books beginning in fall 2014. As part of S&S Children’s reorganization of its […]
Obits
Briefs: More Funding for Open Road; Commonwealth Book Prize Discontinued; And More
Open Road Integrated Media announced it has received $11 million in Series C funding led by private equity group NewSpring Capital (whose technology fund NewSpring Growth Capital III supplied $8 million) with existing investors Kohlberg Ventures, Azure Capital, and Golden Seeds joining NewSpring in the financing, bringing the total amount Open Road has raised to $24 million. On Open Road’s blog ceo Jane Friedman said the new funding will be used for new technology, additional revenue streams, expand their International Publishing Partners Translation Program (which includes 8 partners to date) and further investment in “appropriate content and technology companies.” Andrea […]
People, Etc.
David Inman will return to Quarto in September as managing director of their UK publishing group, Aurum. He is currently sales and marketing director at Templar, prior to which he was sales and marketing director Quarto. Former senior editor at Ballantine and literary agent Pamela Dean Strickler, 53, died July 18 from cancer. Strickler spent sixteen years at Ballantine before leaving to start her own agency, specializing in romance, women’s fiction, and historical fiction. The Dayton Literary Peace Prize’s lifetime achievement award has gone to Wendell Berry. He tells the AP: “As a poet and fiction writer, my goal was to write […]
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Group communications director for HarperCollins UK and International Siobhan Kenny is leaving the company after six years, with her last day after the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. “After almost six amazing years at HC, it is time for me to move on,” Kenny said in the announcement. “Publishing is always a fascinating business, but these last few years have been really transformational and I have learnt a huge amount being part of a business in rapid transition.” At Public Affairs, Lindsay Fradkoff has been promoted to associate director of marketing, and Emily Lavelle moves up to publicity manager. At NetGalley, […]
People
Jeffrey Batzli has been named creative director, trade books at Rodale, effective August 1. Previously he was creative director of Barnes & Noble’s publishing business, including the Art, Photography and Production departments of the B&N Bargain trade division, and also Sterling’s trade division. At the Quarto Group, Iain MacGregor has been hired as publisher for Aurum Press. He was formerly publishing director of Collins in the UK. Aurum’s list will “reorientate back to its illustrated roots.” Writer, researcher and sex therapist Virginia Johnson, 88, died Wednesday in St. Louis. Along with longtime collaborator (and onetime husband) William Masters, Johnson “helped […]
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Sydny Miner has left her position as executive editor at Crown, and is “looking for new opportunities.” She can be reached at sydny.miner@gmail.com. At Macmillan, Erin Coffey has been promoted to the newly created role of vp, internal communications, event and community services. Colin Bettam has joined Kobo as chief marketing officer, reporting to Michael Serbinis. He was formerly vp, marketing at LG. Bettam will “be responsible for building and expanding the Kobo brand internationally,” with stores “expected to launch this year…[in] countries like India, Russia and Philippines.” Separately, Kobo announced the release of their app for the disappointing new […]