Co-founder and longtime executive director of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Lin Oliver said in an email that she will retire at the end of this year (which she then confirmed to PW). The organization has been embroiled in controversy following a post in June by chief equity and inclusion officer April Powers condemning antisemitism. When a Palestinian American member asked for a similar statement condemning Islamophobia, she was blocked from the organization’s social media and her comments were deleted. Powers subsequently apologized for “mishandling the moment” and resigned, and Oliver apologized to “our Muslim and Palestinian […]
Personnel
More On Scholastic: Lucchese to Inherit Robinson’s Controlling Shares
SEC filings further illuminate the bigger story overlooked yesterday: Scholastic executive Iole Lucchese’s ascent to chair of the company’s board, while continuing to serve as evp, chief strategy officer. In early July, the Surrogate’s Court issued preliminary letters appointing Lucchese as executor of the late Richard Robinson’s estate. Furthermore, she is “also expected to be the sole beneficiary” (e.g. inherit) Robinson’s special Class A shares — which gave him control of the company — “after probate is completed.” As the filing notes in its official language, “Consequently, Ms. Lucchese may be deemed to control the Registrant” (i.e. Scholastic). As executor, […]
Warwick Is New Scholastic CEO; Lucchese Becomes Board Chair
Six weeks after the unexpected death of longtime ceo Richard Robinson, independent board member Peter Warwick was named the new president and CEO, approved and announced by the board, effective August 1. Mr. Warwick, 69, has served on the board since 2014. He was EVP and chief people officer at Thompson Reuters until the end of 2017. Warwick says in the announcement, “Dick Robinson built Scholastic into the most admired global children’s book and education business. His devotion to children’s literacy, education, and journalistic integrity was so profound it is ingrained in the culture of the Company. I am deeply […]
People: Quarto CEO Resigns
After less than a year as CEO, Polly Powell has resigned. Controlling shareholder CK Lau will once again serve as interim group CEO. Despite the abrupt departure, Powell provides a cheery statement: “I came to Quarto to make a difference, and I think I have achieved that, so my job is done. Quarto is a fabulous company with outstanding people and it is now firing on all cylinders. The publishing program is super-strong and the numbers are looking good.”
People
Leis Pederson has returned to Berkley as editor at large acquiring romance and mysteries. Heather Kelly has been promoted to assistant art director, Appleseed and Abrams Childrens. Gabrielle Nugent has been promoted to associate publicist at Norton. At Harper Christian, Becky Monds has been promoted to associate publisher, Laura Wheeler to acquisitions editor, and Jodi Hughes to senior editor for Thomas Nelson and Zondervan.
People
Danielle Dieterich and Gabriella Mongelli have each been promoted to editor at Putnam. At Random House Children’s, Sarah Hokanson has been promoted to art director, and Nicole Gastonguay has been promoted to assistant art director. Taline Boghosian has joined as designer. She was previously a designer at Starry Forest Books. Miriam Vance has been promoted to contracts & rights associate at Catapult, Counterpoint, Soft Skull Press. Latoya Smith at LCS Literary and Felice Laverne at Art + Deco have launched a new agency, ArtHouse Literary Agency, which will “acquire talent across genres in the adult and young adult markets while proudly standing […]