People 1/7 - Publishers Lunch

Kirkus

Meg LaBorde Kuehn returns to Kirkus as ceo and publisher, “in an expanded ownership position,” resuming her leadership with a “focus on strategic long-term growth through acquisitions and technology initiatives.”

Kirkus has acquired AudioFile magazine, started in 1992, and will now feature an audiobook section within Kirkus Reviews, edited by AudioFile’s managing editor Jennifer Dowell. AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb will continue with Kirkus as its enterprise advertising director.

Kuehn said in a release, “Audiobook coverage is the perfect next step in our expansion, and there is no company in the world more tuned in to the audience and its needs than AudioFile.”

McGraw Hill

Philip Moyer will become president, ceo, and board member on February 9. He was previously ceo of Vimeo and an executive at Google. He also co-founded IEP+ Orion System Group, “where he built one of the first digital Individualized Education Programs designed to help K-12 schools manage special education curriculums, testing scores and regulatory reporting.”

Moyer succeeds Simon Allen, who will retire and remain board chair.

James Patterson

James Patterson has signed with UTA for worldwide representation, brought to the agency by Albert Lee.

He was previously represented by the late Robert Barnett (and Deneen Howell) at Williams & Connolly. UTA represents MrBeast, with whom Patterson is co-authoring a book due for release later this year.

Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull

Olenka Burgess has been promoted to production director.

Wah-Ming Chang has been promoted to director of managing editorial.

Laura Berry has been promoted to senior production editor.

Olivia Hammerman has joined as production editor.

Crooked Lane / Alcove Press

Gary Goldstein has joined as an editor. He was previously an editor and editorial director at Kensington for 22 years.

Elana Gibson has joined as an editor. She was previously at CamCat Publishing.

New Leaf Literary & Media

Eileen Lalley has been promoted to licensing manager.

Katherine Curtis has been promoted to manager, film & TV.

Keifer Ludwig has been promoted to subrights and literary associate.

Jenniea Carter has been promoted to literary manager.

Lindsay Howard has been promoted to literary associate.

Handspun Literary

Justina Ireland joins as associate agent. She is the author of multiple books as well as a writer of both comics and television.

Cheyenne Faircloth has been promoted to agent.

Hachette Book Group

VP, corporate business development and strategy Todd McGarity has left after almost 17 years with the company.

Fortier Public Relations

Lauren Ortiz has joined as assistant publicity director. She was previously at Little, Brown.