Shinker Leaving Gotham/Avery; Tart to Head Imprints

Shelf Awareness

Effective January 31, William Shinker (left) is stepping down president and publisher of Penguin's Gotham Books and Avery imprints to do consulting. He is being succeeded by Brian Tart, who continues as president and publisher of the Dutton imprint.

Shinker started his career as a bookseller in Oswald's Paradise Bookshop (now Anderson's) in Naperville, Ill., and went on to executive marketing and publishing positions at Avon Books, Warner Books and HarperCollins. In 1996 at Random House, he founded Broadway Books, then in 2001 joined Penguin, where he founded Gotham Books.

In a memo to staff, Susan Petersen Kennedy, president of Penguin Group (USA), said, "Personally, I am sorry that Bill will be leaving. He was a worthy competitor in the past, a trusted colleague in the present, and I will continue to hold him in the highest regard in the future. He is passionate about books, and was never afraid to take risks on writers and books he believed in. His sense of humor, eclectic taste, and deep knowledge of books and publishing as a business: all of these traits and more have made Bill a wonderful addition to Penguin. (Also, he's taught many of us to be better golfers.)"

Tart

Under Brian Tart, who takes the helm February 3, Gotham will maintain its publication of 25 hardcover and 30 trade paperback titles a year, with a focus on its core categories of pop culture, practical inspiration and self-help, the importance (and quirks) of language, news-breaking sports, golf instruction as well as aspirational lifestyle and fashion.

Avery will continue to acquire and publish approximately 20 new titles a year in the health, fitness and wellness categories.

Kennedy said that Tart "has built Dutton into a truly unique home for writers: one that combines commercial sensibilities with focused, individual editorial and marketing author support, and he will now bring that dynamic to Gotham Books/Avery. Brian is disciplined in his acquisition strategies, innovative in his approach to digital marketing, and completely dedicated to his authors and their careers. In collaboration with his Gotham Books/Avery publishing team, and with the full support of Penguin Random House, I have no doubt he will continue Bill's work, and forge new creative partnerships with writers while continuing the Gotham and Avery brands."