Mark Gompertz, the Skyhorse Publishing editorial director who began his publishing career in 1976 at the Overlook Press, will retire September 30.

The announcement was made by Tony Lyons, founder of Skyhorse, which Gompertz joined in 2015. There, he published such books as Michael Cohen’s bestseller Disloyal, Julian Lennon and Bart Davis’s Touch the Earth trilogy, and Joyce Maynard’s The Bird Hotel.

Prior to his tenure at Skyhorse, Gompertz spent nearly 18 years at Simon & Schuster, where he oversaw the Touchstone Fireside and Howard imprints before being name S&S’s first EVP for digital publishing in 2009.

While heading Touchstone Fireside, Gompertz added hardcovers to what had been a trade paperback publishing imprint. Among his authors there was Ursula Hegi, whose Stones from the River—an Oprah Book Club pick—sold over one million copies. He also oversaw the hardcover publication of Philippa Gregory’s Tudor novels beginning with the release of The Other Boleyn Girl, which helped propel the series to more than nine million copies sold. During his time at S&S he also helped create the publisher’s Christian imprint, Howard Books, which published Rick Warren’s bestselling The Purpose of Christmas in 2008.

After leaving S&S, Gompertz joined Hearst Magazines where he was creative director for content extensions.

"Having been blessed to work in an industry with some of the brightest and best for 50 years, I look forward to taking the time to write, consult, and volunteer in ways I couldn't working full time," Gompertz told PW.