People 4/23

Stephanie Fryling has been named president of sales, beginning May 11, leading the US trade sales business across all retail channels and distribution partners, reporting to Liate Stehlik. She fills the role vacated last summer when Ed Spade left the company. (He joined HBG early this year as senior vice president, commercial operations.)

Fryling was at Barnes & Noble for 12 years, where she was vp, commercial strategy and category management when she left in late 2024 to join Penguin Random House as svp, adult retail sales

Stehlik says in the announcement, “Stephanie brings a rare combination of dynamic leadership, sharp commercial insight, and a deep understanding of the book market. Her proven ability to identify growth opportunities, build strong partnerships, and lead teams through change makes her exceptionally well suited for this role. We’re confident she will propel our sales organization forward and translate bold growth ideas into action.”

Fryling said, “What draws me most is Harper Collins’s deep commitment to authors, readers, and the booksellers who bring stories to life every day. At the heart of this business is the idea that behind every sale is a reader discovering something meaningful—and I’m eager to work alongside this team to strengthen those connections, support our publishing, and find new ways to grow together in a rapidly evolving market.”

A month ago, Harper restructured the sales department into two groups, divisional sales and channel sales.

DeFiore and Company and the Stuart Krichevsky Agency will combine to form one larger agency, operating under the DeFiore name, as of May 1. They will be based out of DeFiore’s Union Square offices.

“With the publishing industry, and the world, facing enormous challenges, having more creativity, expertise, experience and comradery under one roof is exciting,” Brian DeFiore said in a release. “The goal is to create an even more supportive, nimble and powerful framework for all of us to serve our clients masterfully. I have known Stuart for many years and have admired the staff he assembled and the extraordinary authors they have nurtured. Having them all now as colleagues is thrilling.”

“I have known and worked with Brian in many incarnations – as an editor and publisher, and as a valued and respected agent colleague,” Stuart Krichevsky said. “I have long admired his leadership skills, and our shared priority of creating an organization that is collegial and collaborative, and where the needs of the client come first. I have always promised myself that I would secure SKLA’s future well before I make any plans to step down, and can think of no better home for the superb team we have built than at DeFiore and Company. I am confident that this new, combined agency will be a place where we can continue to create new opportunities for our clients and meet our obligations to them for the long term.”

Level Best Books has sold a minority stake to SDC Publishing, an affiliate of Boston-based investment firm Watermill Group, which is also providing growth capital. SDC’s namesake, author Shelly Dickson Carr, joins the company as co-publisher. (Carr’s husband Steve Karol is the founder and managing partner of Watermill Group.)

Navorn Johnson joins as production editor on the corporate bookmaking, Random House Publishing Group, production editorial team. Johnson was most recently been freelancing, including for PRH’s Crown division.

Kathleen Spinelli has been promoted to executive director of sales, international and distribution client publishers.

Liz Frew has been promoted to senior director, national accounts.

Jay Salton has been promoted to senior manager, special markets.

Kristen Luby has been promoted to director, school & library marketing.

Maddie Brock has been promoted to marketing associate, adult.

Gaby Portugal has been promoted to marketing associate, children’s.

Gabby Fisher has been promoted to executive director of publicity, adult.

Tayla Wagenseller has been promoted to publicist, children’s.