Thursday, February 09, 2017

Publishers Lunch


Today's Meal
 
Metropolitan Books will release a new book by Senator Elizabeth Warren on April 18, THIS FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT: The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class. In her "forthright, inspiring voice," Warren offers "a rousing call to action and an outline for reclaiming our government so that it is less beholden to the rich and powerful and better serves people who work hard every day but now face such an uncertain future."

She says in the announcement, "Washington works great for the rich and powerful who can hire armies of lawyers and lobbyists, but it is not working very well for everyone else. America's once-solid middle class is on the ropes, and now Donald Trump and his administration seem determined to deliver the knock-out punch. At this perilous moment in our country's history, it's time to fight back—and I'm looking for more people to join me."

On Tuesday night Senator Warren was blocked from speaking further about the nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General after she tried to read from the floor a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King in opposition to Sessions' nomination at the time to become a Federal judge. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell inadvertently gave Warren and her supporters a new rallying cry when he said, "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."

Over 90,000 people bought hardcover copies of her 2014 book A FIGHTING CHANCE (which also sold almost 27,000 copies in trade paperback, according to Bookscan). A "portion" of Warren's "net proceeds from the book" will be donated to The Greater Boston Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
Liese Mayer will join Bloomsbury on February 27 in the newly created role of editorial director, fiction, reporting to Cindy Loh (with editor in chief Nancy Miller continuing to report to Loh as well). Mayer, who has been an editor at Scribner, says in the announcement, "I'm excited for this great opportunity to publish the sort of books I love most, books written from that space where literary and smart commercial fiction meet." Loh says in the release: "Expanding into a bigger fiction market with Liese at the helm is a bold, fresh step -- and just the first -- for continued growth at Bloomsbury. As we near our 20th anniversary, it's wonderful to be moving forward into new genres and across all categories of publishing. Liese is just the right person to lead this charge and we are excited to have her join the Bloomsbury team."

John Morgan joins Imprint as executive editor. Previously he was a senior producer at Melcher Media, director of digital publishing at Penguin, and a creative director at DC Comics.

Abrams announced a number of recent new hires and promotions across various divisions. Carmen Álvarez has joined as assistant manager, Wimpy Kid brand marketing. Previously she was an integrated marketing assistant at Harper Collins Children's. Rebecca Westall has joined as production manager, moving over Hachette Book Group, where she was a senior production associate. Evangelos Vasilakis was recently hired as managing editor, children's. Previously he was an associate managing editor at Penguin Random House.

In editorial, Anne Heltzel was recently promoted to senior editor, Amulet & ComicArts, while Courtney Code moves up to assistant editor, Amulet and Bridget Waterhouse moves up to assistant editor, Abrams Plus. In marketing & publicity, Patricia McNamara and Mamie VanLangen were both recently promoted to digital & social media manager for children's and adult, respectively. Nicole Schaefer moves up to marketing & publicity associate, children's, while Jordan Sapiro was promoted to publicist, adult. In production, Denise LaCongo was promoted to associate director, while Kathy Gaffney moves up to manager. Finally, Alyssa Nassner was recently promoted to art director, children's.

Barbara Brown has joined Kensington as senior designer.

Doug Pocock will take over as managing director of Capstone's UK businesses, which include the Curious Fox book line and the educational Raintree business. Current MD Miles Stevens-Hoare is leaving the company for audiobook business W F Howes. Pocock left his position as managing director of the Abrams & Chronicle Books joint venture almost a year ago to "pursue other opportunities."

Alice Sutherland-Hawes has joined Madeleine Milburn Ltd as rights agent. Previously she was a literary assistant at The Agency.

In awards news, Waterstones named
shortlists for their three children's book prizes, the London Book Fair has nominated candidates for 15 different International Excellence awards, and Australia's Stella Prize has released a longlist of 12 titles.

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