People 3/5 - Publishers Lunch

Scribner

Scribner announced further reorganization under new publisher Marysue Rucci.

Director of publicity and marketing Brian Belfiglio has left the company. Maya Rutherford will join on March 17 as vice president of publicity. She was previously senior director of publicity at HarperCollins.

In reporting line, the marketing team, led by Brianna Yamashita, vice president of marketing, will report to Stu Smith. The editorial team reports to Kathy Belden. The Speakers Bureau, led by Erin Simpson, senior director, will move under corporate marketing, reporting to Wibke Grutjen, svp and global marketing director. The Marysue Rucci Books imprint will continue publish titles through the end of 2025 with the Simon Element team. Moving forward, executive editor Emily Graff will acquire for both Simon Element and Scribner. Executive editor Anne Speyer moves to Scribner, reporting to Belden.

Clare Maurer, senior publicity manager at Simon Element/Marysue Rucci Books, also moves to Scribner.

Reporting to Rucci at Scribner are: Stu Smith vp, deputy publisher; Kathy Belden, vp, editor-in-chief; Colin Harrison, vp, editorial director; and Jaya Miceli, senior art director.

Westwood Creative Artists

Co-head of media rights Jake Babad and executive vice president and literary agent Hilary McMahon have reached an agreement to acquire the agency, with the transaction expected to close shortly. Babad will become president, and Jackie Kaiser will join the agency’s board alongside Babad and McMahon. The deal was struck with founder Bruce Westwood prior to his recent passing. (Westwood created the agency in 1995 after acquiring the Lucinda Vardey Agency and McKnight Gosewich Associates.

McMahon said in the announcement: “My entire publishing career has been within the vibrant agency that is Westwood Creative Artists. Ownership is an energizing investment in the future, and a pledge to work with determination and integrity to support our valued colleagues and creators.”

Muse Media

Mara Anastas has launched a consulting firm “dedicated to helping literary stakeholders maximize brand value, expand audiences, and secure sustainable revenue growth.” She will work with publishers, literary agencies, and estates to “craft tailored strategies that amplify the impact of authors and legacy works.”

Anastas has held senior publishing roles at Open Road, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins.

Workman Running Press Group

At Workman:
Cindy Lee is promoted to marketing director.

Amy Michelson is promoted to assistant director of marketing.

Bella Lemos is promoted to editor.

Analucia Zepeda is promoted to associate editor.

Julie Perry is promoted to assistant editor.

Clare DeZutti is promoted to designer at Workman Calendars.

At Workman Kids:
Sara Corbett is promoted to senior art director.

Keirsten Geise is promoted to art director.

Lourdes Ubidia is promoted to designer.

At Storey:
HK Goldstein is promoted to book designer.

Corey Cusson is promoted to production editor.

At Timber Press:
Makenna Goodman is promoted to executive editor.

Vincent James is promoted to associate art director.

Kevin McConnell’s role is being realigned after last year’s changes to the art department. With the new title of pre media specialist, McConnell will “continue to ensure that our books are of the highest visual quality while collaborating more closely with the design & editorial teams.”

At Running Press:
Jordana Hawkins is promoted to executive editor and licensing manager.

Shannon Kelly is promoted to executive editor.

At Avalon Travel:

Amara Garibyan is promoted to associate marketing manager.

Devon Lee is promoted to acquisitions editor.

Suzanne Albertson is promoted to senior production designer.

Karin Dahl is promoted to cartography associate manager.

Little, Brown Children's

Jackie Engel is promoted to svp, deputy publisher.

Margaret Hansen is promoted to coordinator, school & library marketing.

Bill Grace is promoted to associate director of marketing.

Andie Divelbiss is promoted to assistant marketing manager.

Alice Gelber is promoted to marketing coordinator.

Cheryl Lew is promoted to publicity director.

Amanda Gaglione and Alexandra Houdeshell are promoted to assistant editor.

Ann Dwyer is promoted to senior designer.

Elena Aguirre Uranga is promoted to assistant designer.

Simon & Schuster

Angie Tally is joining Simon & Schuster’s independent sales team as field account manager, Southeast, as of March 10. Previously she was with The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC for 21 years, where she was the children’s department manager, buyer, and author event coordinator.

The Foreign Office

Amaiur Fernández has joined as senior agent.

Jacaranda Books

Sareeta Domingo joins in the newly created position of publishing director. She was previously editorial director at Trapeze Books.