People 12/10

Bob Miller will become CEO of Phaidon Press and its affiliated companies The Monacelli Press and Artspace on January 1, 2025. Until the end of July, he was president of Flatiron Books, which he founded in 2013. Speaking for the Phaidon Board, Lili Lynton said, “We’ve gotten to know Bob over the past several years, and he has impressed us with his creativity, innovative thinking, and love for our business. We are excited to see Phaidon flourish under his leadership.”

He will take over from Keith Fox, who announced in November that he would step down at the end of the year.

Longtime President and later chair of the agency Peter Matson will retire after six decades in publishing. He began his agenting career at the Harold Matson Company in 1964 and established his own firm, Literistic, in 1979. In 1987 he acquired the Sterling Lord Agency, and in 2001 Matson became partners at Sterling Lord Literistic with Philippa Brophy and Laurie Liss. Matson’s retirement “will allow time for other passions, including the historic house in the Berkshires he crafted himself and his apple orchard.”

Todd Doughty has been promoted to svp, deputy publisher, publicity and communications. In his expanded role, he will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing subrights, with Suzanne Smith now reporting to Doughty.

Jenny Goodman Abrami returns to the company as executive director of global sales, overseeing all trade, mass market, and specialty sales teams in the United States and around the world. Most recently she was vp, sales & strategy at Sasquatch Books, and associate publisher of the Little Bigfoot imprint. Abrami will report to vp of sales Kim Anderson.

Amanda Weirich joins in the newly created position of director of international sales and subsidiary rights, reporting to Abrami. Weirich was at Ingram Publisher Services, where she supervised and directed international sales, marketing, and promotional activities.

Sarah Jessica Parker will be a judge for the 2025 Booker Prize along with Ayòbámi Adébáyò, Kiley Reid and Chris Power. The NYT reports that Parker saw a video about the judging process posted by the awards on Instagram in 2022 and replied, “Oh let me try!!!!”

The NYT writes, “Parker said that having the opportunity to judge ‘the greatest literary award’ was ‘the thrill of a life,’ although she feared she wasn’t worthy of the role.” Roddy Doyle will chair the committee.

Melissa Vogan has joined Simon Spotlight as senior editor. She was most recently editor and content manager at Epic for Kids.

Shannon Rygg has joined the children’s digital marketing teamassistant marketing manager. She was most recently social media & digital marketing associate at Union Square & Co.

Julia Fink has been promoted to subsidiary rights and sales associate.

Mark Gottlieb has been promoted to senior vice president.