Obituary

Marilyn Ferguson, author of THE AQUARIAN CONSPIRACY, “a galvanizing influence on participants in scores of alternative groups that coalesced as the New Age movement,” died October 19 at home.LAT And William Wharton, 82, author of the NBA-winning novel BIRDY, died last week,MSNBC

Novelist Tony Hillerman died of pulmonary failure on Sunday. “Hillerman’s evocative novels, which describe people struggling to maintain ancient traditions in the modern world, touched millions of readers, who made them best sellers. But although the themes of his books were not overtly political, he wrote with a purpose, he often said, and that purpose was to instill in his readers a respect for Indian culture. The plots of his stories, while steeped in contemporary crime and its consequences, were invariably instructive about ancient tribal beliefs and customs, from purification rituals for a soldier returned from a foreign war to […]

John Fagan–who already serves as director of marketing, Penguin Books; executive director, academic marketing & sales; and marketing director, eBooks–is taking on the additional role of marketing director for Plume and Hudson Street Press. Liz Keenan is moving up to publicity director for both imprints. Ginee Seo has resigned as editorial director of her eponymous children’s book imprint at Atheneum, PW writes. Longtime publishing executive Dan Harvey, 62, died yesterday after a long struggle with melanoma. He was most recently svp, director of marketing for Trident Media Group. For 17 years, he held senior management positions at the Putnam Publishing […]

David Moldawer has joined Portfolio as an editor, reporting to publisher Adrian Zackheim, acquiring business titles with a special focus on the Internet and new media, creativity, productivity, management and leadership, and marketing. He was at St. Martin’s. Packager Carter Smith died suddenly at home on October 7. In 1970, he founded Media Projects, one of the first independent book production companies in the US, which he ran for 30 years. In 1980, he helped found the American Book Producers Association, and served as its first president.Notice Erik Riesenberg has been promoted to Random House national accounts manager for Baker […]

The Guardian says the agent Pat Kavanagh’s death was due to a brain tumor, which the Times adds was diagnosed just five weeks ago. The Independent notes that “she had collapsed in the street two weeks ago and was staying in the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Friends and family were privately told last week that her tumor was inoperable.” She was 68. They share testimonials from clients including Blake Morrison, Robert Harris, and Hermione Lee. Short story writer Helen Simpson, among visitors to Kavanagh’s home today, said: “It has been so very quick. It’s been like […]

Renowned agent Pat Kavanagh (and wife of author Julian Barnes) has died. A spokesperson from United Agents, the firm that Kavanagh helped to form after leaving PFD last year, said: “Pat Kavanagh was an exceptional agent and a great friend. We all owe her a tremendous amount. She was an extraordinary presence who was much loved and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and her clients. All our thoughts are with Julian at this difficult time.”