People, Awards, Etc.

Publishers Lunch

Keith Fox will join Phaidon Press as chief executive officer, based in the company's New York offices. Previously he was president of McGraw-Hill's construction division, which included Architectural Record and Engineering News Record. In a statement Phaidon owners Debra & Leon Black said: "We are delighted that Keith has joined Phaidon. He brings a unique combination of his personal appreciation of the arts coupled with a proven history of leading and advancing successful global brands." Fox added: "I am honored to be joining Phaidon and humbled by the trust the Black family has placed in me. I look forward to enhancing Phaidon's brand as the world's premier fine arts publisher and driving profitable growth through innovation and digital platforms."

Eric Nystrom will join HarperCollins Christian Publishing on April 7 as vp, Spanish International Sales, based out of the company's Nashville offices. Previously he was International sales & marketing director at Solberg International and a consultant to two midwest colleges.

Founder of New Leaf Publishing Alim Thompson is leaving the New Age wholesaler after more than 39 years. "The book business has changed, New Leaf has changed and will change more," he wrote in a post for the company website. "I am no longer the man to guide this, and I have been given new 'orders from Headquarters' and am embarking on a new venture/adventure." Current president Irv Myers will remain with New Leaf, while recently appointed vp, business development Steven Wallace will also help oversee the company transition.

At Harlequin, Sarah Hermalyn has been named associate publicist. Previously she was associate publicist at Artisan Books.

IPG has signed eight new publishers, including Alazar Press, The American Golfer, Childhood Cancer Guides, Craigmore Creations, Little Beach Books, Mountain Lake Press, Quince & Co., and Tumblehome Learning  as sales & distribution clients. In addition, Trafalgar Square will now distribute Front Row Books, Head of Zeus, KAMA Publishing, Maverick Arts Publishing, Upstart Press, b Small Publishing and Cargo publishing.

In awards news, the NYPL announced its Young Lions Award finalists:

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods, Matt Bell (Soho)
Cartwheel, Jennifer DuBois (Random House)
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, Anthony Marra (Hogarth)
Happiness, Like Water, Chinelo Okparanta (Mariner)
Snow Hunters, Paul Yoon (Simon & Schuster)

The Romance Writers of America announced the finalists in a number of categories for the RITA and Golden Heart Awards, with winners to be named at an awards banquet on July 26.