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Besser to Head Putnam Books for Young Readers
Penguin Young Readers Group has announced that, effective April 12, Jennifer Besser will join the publisher as v-p and publisher of G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, a position previously held by Nancy Paulsen, who is launching an eponymous imprint with Penguin.
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People
Shar to B&N; Stein to Paris Review; more
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Marketing Staff Changes at Macmillan Kids
The Macmillan Children's Publishing group, which was streamlined in late 2008 as part of a larger company-wide restructuring, has a new hire and several promotions in its marketing department, moves that have been announced by Joy Dallanegra-Sanger, senior v-p, director of marketing. Liz Hartman has joined the company in the newly created position of executive director, publicity and institutional marketing. Hartman will oversee publicity and school and library marketing for all Macmillan Children's Publishing imprints.
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Yaged to Leave Disney
Jonathan Yaged, v-p and U.S. publisher of the Disney Book Group, has been named chief operating officer of House Party, a consumer activation and experiential marketing company. Yaged has been with Disney since 2000, when he joined as director of business affairs.
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On the Move in Children's Publishing
People announcements in the children's book world.
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Obituary: Michael Cavanaugh
Michael Cavanaugh, former children’s buyer at Barnes & Noble, died unexpectedly last weekend. He joined B&N in the early 1980s after working at Eeyore's Books for Children, and continued to buy for the chain following the acquisition of B. Dalton and the growth of B&N Junior. A gathering of friends will take place on Monday, March 1, at the Hourglass Tavern...
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Q & A with Jeanne McDermott
After 25 years in children's book marketing, Jeanne McDermott is leaving publishing to pursue a master's degree in library science.
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Wareham Leaves Simon & Schuster
Beth Wareham, director of cookbook and lifestyle publishing at Simon & Schuster’s Scribner imprint, has left the company.
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The Christian Market in 2010: A Q&A with ECPA’s Mark Kuyper
Mark Kuyper, president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, talks to RBL about the recession’s effect on ECPA members (not good, but there are glimpses of a turnaround), the volatile digital landscape (worth experimenting), and where Christian readers are shopping now (everywhere).
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Barron's Creates Separate Test Prep Division
Barron’s has broken out its test prep imprint into a separate division, it announced today. Bob O’Sullivan, who has been with the company for 10 years, most recently as managing editor, will be publisher of the Test Preparation division beginning February 1. O’Sullivan will assume all managerial responsibility for editorial and production, and will work on expanding the program both in print and digitally. He will report to Barron’s president and publisher Ellen Sibley.
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Robert B. Parker Dies At 77
Prolific novelist Robert B. Parker died on Tuesday of a sudden heart attack. He was 77.
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Job Moves
Simon & Schuster Australia has promoted Lou Johnson to managing director. Johnson has been with the company since July 2008 as sales and marketing director.
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Lori Benton Joins Capstone
Lori Benton has been named general manager/publisher of fiction imprints at the children's book publisher Capstone. The move puts Benton in charge of Stone Arch Books and Picture Window Books. Benton was most recently v-p and publisher of Harcourt's children's book division. Capstone's major market is schools and libraries, and Benton will be working to develop more of a trade list for the company...
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Pfeffer Joins East/West Literary
Longtime publishing executive Rubin Pfeffer, who was most recently senior v-p of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, has gone to the agenting side, joining the Los Angeles-based outfit, East/West Literary. Pfeffer has been brought on as an agent and partner, and will be based in Boston, handling digital initiatives, among other things, for the agency, which specializes in representing children's authors and illustrators...
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Memorial Set for Soho Press Editor
A memorial has been set for Soho Press publisher and editor-in-chief, Laura Hruska, who passed away on Saturday after a long sickness.
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Obituary: Talivaldis Stubis
Talivaldis Stubis, the prolific graphic designer and artist, died late last year at the age of 83, after a long battle with amyloidosis. Stubis illustrated nearly two dozen books over his long career, including Sir Alva and the Wicked Wizard by Otto Friedrich, Sam's Place by Lillian Moore, and many by the husband-and-wife team Rose Wyler and Gerald Ames...
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Lubeck Named Executive Director of Book Industry Study Group
Scott Lubeck, whose background includes melding print and technology, has been named the new executive director of the Book Industry Study Group. Lubeck was most recently most recently v-p of technology for Wolters Kluwer Health, Professional and Education.
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Steven Rosato Promoted to BEA Event Director
Following the December 9 promotion of former BookExpo America show manager Lance Fensterman to group v-p of Reed Exhibitions, show officials today announced Steve Rosato, who has been with the company for 15 years, will take over as event director of BEA.
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Katherine Paterson: Madam Ambassador
Today Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson adds the title of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature to her long list of honors. In a ceremony at the Library of Congress this morning, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington will officially name Paterson — who succeeds the first children's ambassador, Jon Scieszka — to the position.
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Melanie Kroupa to Join Marshall Cavendish
Around this time last year, Melanie Kroupa, who had had her own imprint at FSG Books for Young Readers since 2000, was let go as part of Macmillan’s reorganization of its children’s division. But news came late yesterday that Kroupa will be joining Marshall Cavendish Children's Books as an editor-at-large on January 1, reporting to publisher Margery Cuyler.



