Simon & Schuster vp, director of subsidiary rights Marcella Berger will retire at the end of this year after more than 35 years with the company. In a statement jointly sent out by S&S publisher Jonathan Karp, Touchstone publisher Stacy Creamer and Threshold publisher Louise Burke, they commend Berger for her “stalwart presence” and for being “known and respected throughout the international publishing community for her knowledge, amiable calm, and depth of experience.” Among the books Berger worked on included every title by Bob Woodward, LIVING HISTORY by Hilary Clinton, THE DYLAN CHRONICLES by Bob Dylan, 35 suspense novels by […]
Personnel
People, Etc.
Carol Nygren has joined Thomas Nelson as evp and managing director of the company’s Live Events business in Plano, TX. Previously she was svp of Licensed Live Family Entertainment, part of the Disney Theatrical Group. In an interview on Waterstone’s intranet obtained by the Bookseller, new owner Alexander Mamut claimed the company’s existence was “important for UK society” though was vague on the specifics of ensuring the chain’s survival beyond saying that “massive work” was necessary: “If we can make a turnaround, improve everything, have good books properly displayed, a good atmosphere, good recommendations [with] marketing and investment of course, […]
People
Jackie Harvey has joined the Lerner Publishing Group as national sales director. Previously she was a product and marketing manager in the K-12 school division of Pearson. Casey Francis has been named director of corporate communications for Thomas Nelson. Previously she was public relations and communications officer for Commonwealth Brands. Bella Pagan will join Tor UK as a senior commissioning editor on September 1. Previously she was an editor at Orbit UK. William Sleator, 66, the author of more than thirty books for young adults and children, died on August 2 in Thailand. Among his acclaimed novels were THE INTERSTELLAR […]
People, Etc.
The successors to Larry Kirshbaum’s former agency LJK Literary Management have formally launched their new entity, Einstein Thompson Agency. Susanna Einstein and Meg Thompson are co-directors of the new agency. They will take over representation of Kirshbaum’s clients, including Elizabeth Flock, Dorothea Benton Frank, Anita Hill, Steven James, James Kimmel, Kimberly Pauley, Austin Ratner, James Redfield, Jeremy Rifkin, Larkin Warren, and the estate of Donald E. Westlake. Sandy Hodgman has been promoted to director of foreign rights under the new banner, and Molly Reese has been promoted to associate agent. She will continue to assist Einstein and Thompson, oversee audio […]
People: DiPreta to Crown Archetype, Dickerman Named Penguin Press Executive Editor
Mauro DiPreta will join Crown in the newly created position of VP, Editor-in-Chief of Crown Archetype on September 7. DiPreta will be responsible for directing and overseeing the editorial operations for Archetype, Harmony, Crown Business, and Crown Forum. He will report to Crown Archetype svp and publisher Tina Constable, who says in a statement: “[DiPreta] possesses a deep understanding of the entire publishing process…has a well-established reputation as an editor and editorial leader with an uncommonly keen commercial sense, and an enviable track record of success. Over the course of his career, he has spearheaded the publication of numerous bestsellers […]
UK’s World Book Night Comes to US Under Carl Lennertz
A US division of the UK’s World Book Night program is being formed under the direction of HarperCollins vp, retail marketing Carl Lennertz, who starts there September 1. The second annual World Book Night will take place April 23 in the US and the UK. Twenty-five titles for the UK will be announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 12, chosen by an editorial selection committee chaired by author Tracy Chevalier. In the US, a “cross-industry steering committee” is in formation. Lennertz says in the announcement, “I have loved everything about my time at Harper. The books, the people, […]