At Pearson, Alexa Christon has been promoted to chief marketing officer, reporting to chief corporate affairs officer, Deirdre Latour. Robb Forman Dew, 73, author of fiction, memoirs, essays, criticism, and cookbooks, died on May 22. Her 1981 novel, Dale Loves Sophie to Death, won the National Book Award (then known as the American Book Award) for a first novel. A memorial will be held at a time and place to be determined once quarantine restrictions have been lifted. Awards Amazon Literary Partnership announced its 2020 grant recipients, including Deep Vellum Publishing, City of Asylum Pittsburgh, The Center for Africa and LitNet. Past recipients […]
Personnel
People, Etc.
Kristin Sevick has been promoted to executive editor at Forge. Relief Harvard University Press and Yale University Press are offering special terms through their distributor to independent booksellers for ordered by June 30. Accounts in good standing can receive 120 days dating, free freight, and +2 points in discount (minimum 15 units) on available titles. Awards Romance Writers of America is retiring its RITA Awards and intends to introduce a new award called The Vivian. Named after RWA founder Vivian Stephens, the new award “recognizes excellence in romance writing and showcases author talent and creativity. We celebrate the power of […]
Briefs
People Tim Duggan, founder and publisher of the eponymous Tim Duggan Books imprint, confirms to PL: “My time at Crown is soon coming to a close. It’s been a dream job in every way, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have this little imprint, and for all the support I’ve received over the last half-dozen years, from my amazingly talented colleagues as well as from the many booksellers, agents, critics, readers, and especially the brilliant authors whose books I’ve been lucky enough to work on.” Cinthia Granzo Nespoli is being promoted to chief legal officer at Pearson, which […]
Simon & Schuster Children’s Creates Two Core Groups; Anastas to Leave
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has organized itself into “two core publishing entities.” The Trade Publishing Group is led by svp and publisher Justin Chanda. He takes on additional oversight for the editorial staff of Simon Pulse, which joins this group. The Branded Publishing Group is led by vp and publisher Valerie Garfield, who takes on responsibility for Aladdin. As a result of the changes, vp and publisher of Aladdin and Simon Pulse Mara Anastas will leave the company. Paula Wiseman at Paula Wiseman Books and Allyn Johnston at Beach Lane Books will continue to manage their respective imprints within the […]
People, Etc.
Kent Watson is stepping down from his role as executive director of PubWest on June 12 after 12 years in the position. The board has begun the search for an interim executive director. Imprints China’s Thinkingdom Media Group has formed Astra Publishing House, a publishing group that will combine their Boyd Mills & Kane and mineditionUS (in which Boyd Mills recently made “a substantial investment”) with a new adult imprint, Astra House. Distributed by Penguin Random House, Astra House will publish 20 to 25 titles a year — about half of those books works in translation — across literary fiction, poetry, […]
People, Etc.
Longtime literary agent Frances Goldin, 95, died in her home in New York on May 16, after years of declining health. She founded the Frances Goldin Literary Agency in 1977 to champion left-wing authors, and her roster included Dorothy Allison, Barbara Kingsolver, Martin Duberman, Adrienne Rich, Mumia Abu Jamal, Mike Wallace, Frances Fox Piven, Susan Brownmiller, Martin Espada, Juan Gonzalez, and many others. A memorial will be held when gathering becomes possible again, with details to be announced. Pam Gruber has joined Irene Goodman Literary Agency as a literary agent, representing adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction, graphic novels, […]