People 5/8

Jonathan Merritt joins the imprint on May 12 as vp and executive editor, specializing in faith, religion and spirituality, reporting to Priscilla Painton. He has been a literary agent at the Christopher Ferebee Agency, holds master’s degrees in divinity and theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and is a writer in the field.

Merritt says, “I look forward to helping establish the flagship as a marketplace leader in the faith and spirituality category. Drawing on my lifetime of relationships across the theological and political spectrum, I’ll be seeking out voices united not by ideological conformity but by their ability to craft enduring work with the power to transform lives.”

Nellie Kurtzman has joined as executive creative director, brand marketing. Previously, she was at Harper Children’s.

Angela Graven will lead the newly formed digital and regional print production team. The team will now expand to include digital print formats of both POD and Medium Run across multiple divisions, corporate reprint corrections, corporate archive, and supporting local/regional print initiatives.

Senior production manager, digital reprints Bernice McManus; production manager, digital print Amanda Crawford; and production manager, corrections Avi Bonime will report to Graven.

Andy Craven has been promoted to senior director, reprint production, now heading adult and children’s book production. Associate director Sandra Bretnall will now report to Craven.

Gracie Freeman Lifschutz is promoted to subsidiary rights associate and literary agent.

Picador publishing director Georgina Morley will retire on August 29 after 31 years at Pan Macmillan.

Julia McGarry has been promoted to senior publicist.

The author of the bestselling GOOD ENERGY: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health will be nominated to serve as Surgeon General.

The service has launched a web player, allowing customers to listen directly through the browser if they wish, without any app.

Ashlee MacCallum has joined as a junior agent. Previously she was an intern at Triada US.