Joanna Trollope defects from Bloomsbury set

Story from the Telegraph

In a defection that is likely to be of some concern to Bloomsbury's beleaguered shareholders, Mandrake hears that Joanna Trollope, the bestselling author of such novels as The Rector's Wife, has defected to a rival publishing house, Transworld, for a figure that is, I am told, well into six figures.
Consummate professional that she is, Trollope, 64, told Mandrake yesterday that she was contracted to work for Bloomsbury until the end of May - and indeed had to attend the forthcoming Hay Festival of Literature on their behalf - and had no intention of breathing a bad word about her present employers.

Mandrake hears, however, that Trollope, who has worked for Bloomsbury since 1989, had concerns about how the publisher, preoccupied with its star author J K Rowling and her creation Harry Potter, had been neglecting its bread and butter authors.

When Trollope met Liz Calder, her editor and a founding director of Bloomsbury, I am told that there was a sense of resignation from both parties.
"We both know why I am here, don't we?" I am told that Trollope had begun the conversation.
Other authors at Bloomsbury, where the share price has fallen to around £1.36 from a year's high of more than £2, expressed surprise at Trollope's decision.
"Speaking for myself, I have no issues with Bloomsbury," said William Boyd. "I am a very happy author. I am sorry to hear that she is leaving, but there it is."
Bloomsbury declined to comment yesterday.