Ghostwriting and publishing services firm Scribe Media abruptly shut down yesterday, laying off its staff. Wednesday evening the company sent an email to employees’ personal email addresses, stating: “Based on unforeseen business circumstances and faltering business based on unavailability of additional capital, Scribe is forced to shut down its operations and layoff employees at our Austin location on May 24, 2023.” An employee said staff was initially notified in a Zoom meeting, with company email access and healthcare cut off by the end of the day, and the company offering no severance. The employee estimated layoffs numbered 85 to 100 […]
Personnel
People: Glusman Steps Down As Norton Editor-In-Chief, with Gerstle to Take Over
Vice president, editor-in-chief of Norton John A. Glusman will step back from managerial duties in July, becoming vice president, executive editor, and continuing to acquire. Glusman has been editor in chief since 2011. Dan Gerstle is promoted to editor in chief. Chairman and president Julia A. Reidhead said, “This change, coming at a time when Norton is celebrating its centenary year, underscores the shift that is essential to the continuity and well-being of our independent, employee-owned firm. Under John’s leadership, Norton Trade has thrived, collectively achieving record sales in 2020 and 2021 and enjoying a bounty of awards… We are […]
People: Andrew Franklin to Step Back at Profile
In the UK, Profile Books founder and managing director Andrew Franklin will step back from running the company as of July 1, when current nonfiction publisher Rebecca Gray will take over as managing director. Franklin will “return to his first love – acquiring, editing and publishing books.” As part of the “wider plan to ensure the company’s future as a thriving independent,” sales director Claire Beaumont will become commercial director, leading the marketing and publicity teams as well. They join finance director Frances Ford and pre-press and production director Jack Murphy on the executive team, with Franklin remaining on that […]
People: Jack Jensen to Step Down
Jack Jensen, who has been with Chronicle Books for 46 years, will step down from his position as president of the McEvoy Group this month. He will take the role of chair of the McEvoy Group advisory board, and he will continue to serve on the board of Abrams & Chronicle Books in the UK. Jensen joined Chronicle Books in 1977 as Western States sales rep when the company had six employees producing twelve titles per year, rising to president and publisher of Chronicle Books in 1991. In 2017, Tyrrell Mahoney was named president of Chronicle Books and Jensen served […]
People: Dawn Davis Returns to S&S, 37 Ink
Dawn Davis will return to Simon & Schuster as senior vice president and publisher of 37 Ink and executive editor of the Simon & Schuster imprint, starting in September. She will also join the S&S executive leadership team, reporting to Jonathan Karp. Davis was with S&S since 2013, and founded 37 Ink, before departing in 2020 to lead Bon Appétit and Epicurious as editor in chief. Davis said in the announcement, “I have enjoyed working with Condé Nast leadership and my team to rebuild the Bon Appétit brand. Together, we’ve created a culture where people feel respected, created spectacular content and world-class recipes, […]
People: Harmony and Rodale Expand Leadership Team; Zoro Becomes President
Harmony Books and Rodale Books have announced multiple promotions to expand their leadership team, with Theresa Zoro promoted to president. Penguin Random House Publishing Group president Sanyu Dillon writes in a release, “Theresa is an innovative publishing strategist, and her extensive publicity, marketing, and consumer engagement expertise complements the existing team as we focus on category expansion. Her exceptional leadership, a lifelong passion for health and wellness, and a keen understanding of consumer behavior and community development will provide a fresh perspective, enabling us to reach more readers as we solidify Harmony Books and Rodale Books as the leaders in […]