NYT deputy editor for travel Laura Marmor will move over to the Book Review as senior editor in December, following Dwight Garner’s departure to serve as a book critic. Sam Tanenhaus says in the memo quoted by the Observer, she “will be making a broad range of review assignments in addition to helping Bob Harris and me put the section together each week and collaborating with our editorial team to upgrade our enterprise projects.” Marmor was an editor at the WSJ before moving to the Times post-9/11.Observer Webster Younce will join Henry Holt next week as a senior editor reporting […]
Personnel
On John Leonard, 69
Former editor of the NYT Book Review during the 70s John Leonard, 69, died from complications of lung cancer. Most recently he was TV critic for New York Magazine and a book critic for Harper’s Magazine. “As a critic, Mr. Leonard was far less interested in saying yea or nay about a work of art than he was in scrutinizing the who, the what and the why of it. His writing opened a window onto the contemporary American scene, examining a book or film or television show as it was shaped by the cultural winds of the day. “Amid the […]
Michael Crichton Dies "Unexpectedly"
Michael Crichton’s family revealed his death at age 66 yesterday, saying that he had been “waging a private battle against cancer.” The family noted in their statement: “While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes. He did this with a wry sense of […]
People
Egmont USA announced new hires including Greg Ferguson as editor (he was at Harper Children’s) and Nico Medina as managing editor (he was at Viking Children’s). The company has acquired 15 titles for their launch list, starting in fall 2009. Elsewhere, Elda Rotor has been promoted to editorial Director of Penguin Classics.
People
Reed Elsevier has named Ian Smith as ceo-designate as of January 1, preparing to take over when Crispin Davis retires next March. Smith is the former head of homebuilder Taylor Woodrow. Amanda Tobier has joined Little, Brown as marketing manager. She was most recently marketing director for Avery and Viking Studio. She’s also worked in the marketing departments at Hyperion and Harper Perennial, and was a frontlist buyer at Third Place Books for five years. Columbia University Press has hired Julia Kushnirsky as art director. Most recently she has been a freelance art director for Random House and Grand Central […]
People and More
Chief executive of Oxford University Press Henry Reece has announced he will retire in 11 months, after 11 years in the position. A search is being organized, and the university hopes to announce a replacement next spring. With sales of close to 500 million pounds a year, it is the largest university press in the world. The National Association of Independent Publisher Representatives’ Call Report newsletter notes that Workman Publishing has purchased the Como Sales group, covering Northeastern territory (via Shelf Awareness). Workman’s Steve Pace is running the organization, functioning as house reps the company, though it’s possible they will […]