Libby McGuire has joined The Gernert Company as an agent. Most recently she was publisher at Ballantine Bantam Dell, which she left a year ago. David Gernert said in the announcement: “Having worked with Libby for years I have no doubt that she will be a terrific, and terrifically successful, agent. And her vast experience in publishing will be helpful to us in a variety of ways.” McGuire added: “I have long admired the talent and strategy of The Gernert Company, so when I made the decision to become an agent, they were my first choice. I am thrilled to […]
Personnel
People
Mary Pachnos, who has worked in association with Aitken Alexander Associates for the last 20 years, retired at the end of 2016. Her next phase will include volunteering as a guide at London Zoo. Marilyn Dahl has retired as editor of Shelf Awareness for Readers after twelve years with the publication. Dahl is succeeded by Stefanie Hargreaves as editor, effective Tuesday. Greaves has worked as an editor, bookseller, and reviewer for Ballantine, Girl Friday Productions, HarperCollins, Amazon.com and Book Page. Robbin Brosterman is joining Bright USA on January 9 as an agent in in the company’s New York office. Most recently […]
People
In the UK, Juliet Mushens and Robert Caskie have formed a new literary agency, Caskie Mushens. Mushens has left UTA and will bring her clients over with her; Caskie had left PFD, where he was chief operating officer as well as an agent, in early 2016, saying he intended to explore new opportunities “in a related industry.” Separately, another former UTA agent Sarah Manning has joined the Bent Agency, based in London. She will expand the UK office’s representation into adult fiction and nonfiction. At Penguin Random House in the US, Debra Polansky has been hired as vp, director of sales for Penguin Children’s, under Felicia Frazier. She previously […]
People
Scholastic has hired Kiffin Steurer as managing editor for Klutz (he was at Harper Children’s), Chloe Fraboni as editor, licensed publishing. (she was at Simon & Schuster Children’s); and Kirk Benshoff as art director for readers, branches and nonfiction (he was at HBG). In promotions: Erin McMahon is now senior designer, licensed publishing; Emily Feliberty moved up to associate director of marketing and publicity for Klutz; Jenna Ballard is now associate editor, licensed publishing; Brooke Shearouse moves up to publicist; Hillary Doyle and Emily Clement are both work working as rights manager; Milena Giunco is publicity coordinator; Christine Reedy is marketing coordinator; and Courtney DeVerges is now sales coordinator for Klutz.
People
Laura Donnini has been named managing director and publisher of Harper Italia, effective February 1, 2017, responsible for the “day-to-day management of operations, establishing strategic and publishing direction, and for driving business expansion in Italy.” She will take over from Paola Ronchi, who “recently made the decision to leave the company after a successful nine year career with Harlequin/Harper.” Most recently, Donnini was ceo of Rizzoli’s RCS Libri. Harper ceo Brian Murray says in the announcement, “I am delighted that Laura is joining HarperCollins Italia. Her prior experience at Harlequin, Mondadori and Rizzoli makes her uniquely qualified to grow our […]
Muted Greetings From Dohle, and A Lump of Coal As PRH UK Breaks Off with Unions
Penguin Random House ceo Markus Dohle dispatched a modest letter of holiday greetings to employees last Thursday (this year with no video accompaniment) that reaffirms the company’s fundamental mission without dwelling on any of the year’s particulars: “What a year this has been. As Penguin Random House, we managed changes, we took on challenges, and from them both we created opportunities to better serve our authors, our retail partners, our readers, and one another. Personally, this year gave me the chance to reflect upon the inextricable link between the work we do and the world we live in. In light […]