At Penguin, Molly Barton has been promoted to vp, digital publishing and business development and strategy. Earlier this year she was responsible for launching the writing community website Book Country and was also responsible for developing Penguin eSpecials, expanding the publisher’s relationship with Starz, and spearheading Penguin’s enhanced ebook app program. Meagan Stacey has joined Crown as editor, trade paperbacks, reporting to Tina Pohlman. Previously she was an editor at Mariner Books. Project Gutenberg founder Michael S. Hart died September 6 at his home in Urbana, IL. He was 64 and the cause of death was not disclosed. He is […]
Personnel
Houghton Hires Microsoft Exec As New CEO
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has filled the ceo slot that has been vacant since financial genius-turned-mere-employee Barry O’Callaghan resigned in mid-March, The company has hired Linda K. Zecher as president, ceo and director, starting September 19. Most recently she was a corporate vp at Microsoft, running their $8 billion worldwide public sector business. HMH chairman of the board Lawrence Fish says in the announcement, “The board sought a ceo with proven executive experience, the ability to deliver financial results, and a deep familiarity with the technology and education space. Linda is the perfect fit.” Zecher says “I look forward to combining […]
People, Etc.
Lance Fitzgerald will join Simon & Schuster as VP, director of foreign rights for the S&S and Touchstone imprints on November 28, so as to allow for a month of overlap with Marcella Berger, who is retiring at the end of the year. He is currently director of subsidiary rights at Penguin. In addition, Marie Florio has been promoted to deputy director of subsidiary rights for the Touchstone, Threshold, Howard, and Simon & Schuster imprints, effective immediately. At Ten Speed Press, Kristin Casemore has been promoted to publicity director, cookbooks, and Katy Brown has been promoted to senior designer. In […]
Wiley Discloses CEO Smith Is Receiving Cancer Treatment
Wiley reported in an SEC filing today that president and ceo Stephen Smith is currently being treated for urological cancer. After what they call “successful surgery,” he is now receiving “preventive chemotherapy…every three weeks for a period of a few months.” The company notes that “Smith’s doctors have advised him that the condition is highly treatable, and a full recovery is expected.” Smith “will continue to handle his day-to-day responsibilities” while undergoing treatment. Chairman of the board Peter Booth Wiley says in the filing, “We fully support Steve every step of the way and give him our full confidence as […]
People, Etc.
At Orion, Kate Mills has been promoted to publishing director, fiction, and Genevieve Pegg moves up to editorial director, fiction. Mills replaces Jon Wood, who is relinquished his responsibilities to focus on his other role as deputy group publisher. In addition, Amanda Harris has been promoted to publishing director, non-fiction. Also in the UK, at Macmillan Children’s Books, Ruth Alltimes takes over immediately as publishing director, fiction. She will report to incoming publisher Belinda Rasmussen, who joins the comapny this fall. Editorial director Rebecca McNally is leaving the company at the end of October. Polly Nolan will join the unit […]
People, Etc.
Regan McMahon has joined Common Sense Media as book editor, managing their network of book reviewers who provide “information for parents so that they can make great media choices for their families.” McMahon had been a book editor at the San Francisco Chronicle and a blogger for the paper’s parenting blog. The TNT television show Rizzoli & Isles, based on the series of books by New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen, has been renewed for a third season. The 2011 Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Awards of $25,000 each, for “women writers who demonstrate excellence and promise in the early […]