The PEN American Center has named Steven Isenberg as executive director. For the past six years, he was a visiting professor of humanities at the University of Texas, Austin). His many previous positions include stints as publisher of New York Newsday, evp of the Los Angeles Times, and chief of staff to New York Mayor John Lindsay. Release Susannah McFarlane, former co-owner, managing direct and publisher of Hardie Grant Egmont in Australia has launched a new company, Lemonfizz Media. She will “focus on fully developing a small number of publishing projects that we are passionate about and really investing in […]
Personnel
People: McMurtry's Novel Might Be His Last; Sharma-Jensen Takes Buyout; Blessing Joins Inkwell
Larry McMurtry, 73, tells the Dallas Morning News in advance of the release of his new novel RHINO RANCH later this month: “I don’t think I can write fiction any more. I think I’ve used it up over 30 novels. That’s a lot of novels.” He adds, “Most great novels are written by people between 40 and 60, or 35 and 60,” he says. “Not too many great novels are written by people over 75. Hardly any. Maybe Tolstoy.”DMN Another longtime newspaper books editor (and also NBCC board member) Geeta Sharma-Jensen at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is taking a buyout and […]
People: Steven Murphy to Leave Rodale, and More
After a decade as ceo of Rodale, Steve Murphy says “I have decided not to renew my contract and to take time off to pursue my own creative interests.” Granddaughter of the company’s founder Maria Rodale will take over. As she says, “I have been preparing my whole life to lead Rodale. As chairman and CEO, I will work to build on the strong foundation we have established during the past ten years to take this incredible company to even greater heights. I am grateful for the full support of the family and the board to guide me on our […]
People: Don Linn Leaving Taunton for eStartup Quartet Press
SVP and publisher at The Taunton Press Don Linn is leaving that post to join digital publishing start-up Quartet Press, overseeing finance, administration and general management. He notes, “I’m an entrepreneur at heart and I’ve been fascinated with this transitional phase of reading, writing and publishing for some time. So when the opportunity to create Quartet presented itself, it seemed the time was right to make the move.” Linn joins Kassia Krozser, Kirk Biglione, and Kat Meyer as a partner in Quartet, which expects to launch romance imprint Quench Romance! in fall 2009, followed by “additional categories and service offerings […]
People and Announcements
The Bookseller reports that Anthony Cheetham will join Atlantic UK, where his son Nicolas set up the crime/thriller imprint Corvus earlier this year, starting in September. They say he intends to start an “entirely new activity” for the publisher. Cheetham did not provide additional details.Bookseller Borders promoted Joanna Goldstein to the new position of vp, marketing revenue, responsible for “developing and managing cooperative marketing promotions and sales-driving initiatives with publishers as well as other vendors and third-party marketing partners.” She was merchandising director, newsstand, calendars, games and trend gifts. The Today show picked Ingrid Law’s Newbery Honor winner SAVVY as […]
LibreDigital Gets More Funding, and People News
LibreDigital has closed a $15 million Series B funding round, led by new investor Triangle Peak Partners and existing investor Adams Capital Management. (Existing investors include HarperCollins and the New York Times Comany.) They say the new capital will be used by “to expand marketing and development of the company’s digital platform, designed to help publishers go direct to consumers as they access, buy, read and share content across online and mobile platforms.” Rachel Dicker has joined Baker & Taylor as director, publisher digital services, reporting to Linda Gagnon, svp, publisher digital services and business development. She was formerly Director […]