This year marks the fourth year of Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch program, in association with the Frankfurter Buchmesse, which recognizes up-and-coming members of the U.S. publishing community and provides one chosen honoree with an all-expense paid trip to the Frankfurt Book Fair, for networking and career-building opportunities on a global leve.
Past winners have included Helen Yentus, art director at Riverhead Books; Andrew (Harwell) Eliopulos, executive editor of HarperTeen; and last year’s winner, Gabriella Page-Fort, editorial director at AmazonCrossing.
"The privilege of working in publishing humbles me, and I take the responsibility that comes with my role as editorial director at AmazonCrossing very seriously," Page-Fort said of her win. "May the diversity of the literature we read be the bedrock, fostering compassion and respect across borders as we race toward an ever-more-connected future."
Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly officials confirm that this year the Star Watch program will expand to include nominations from Canada. The expansion recognizes the close relationship between the two nations and the signficant crossover between its book businesses. In 2020, Canada will be the guest of honor country at the Frankfurter Buchmesse. "There is already quite a lot of synergy between the US and Canada," explains Jim Milliot, editorial director of Publishers Weekly, "and we hope this will help strengthen that relationship even further."
Those interested in being considered for the Star Watch program may nominate themselves, their colleagues, or peers who are working hard to advance publishing in North America. The 40 stars chosen will be featured in an editorial feature in the 3rd September issue of Publishers Weekly and celebrated at events in New York in September and during the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. Click here to enter.
