Two weeks after confirming that it was dropping its mass market paperback program for a business model that combines e-books and print-on-demand trade paperbacks that will be sold through retailers, Dorchester Publishers has let go its two top editors--editorial director Leah Hultenschmidt and senior editor Don D'Auria. President John Prebich said the departures of the two were part of Dorchester adusting staff to its new operating plan. He said that the product in the pipeline for 2011 will be published and that Dorchester will continue to acquire books. Chris Keeslar remains on staff as senior editor.
Prebich said Dorchester is outsourcing a number of functions and expects to announce several new partnerships next week.
Prebich earlier acknowledged that the move to an e-book/pod model was due to declining sales for print mass market paperbacks and growing sales of e-books. He told PW this morning Dorchester will take whatever steps are necessary to remain a viable publisher.
