Pulitzer-winning author and former Newsweek editor Jon Meacham has been named executive v-p and executive editor of Random House Publishing Group. Meacham, a longtime RH author who won the Pulitzer Prize for American Lion, will report to RHPG president and publisher Gina Centrello.
Meacham will start at RH in early January on a fill time basis and focus on acquiring and editing a select list of nonfiction titles, working with publisher Susan Kamil, by authors the house described as both "seasoned" and "emerging." Kamil said Meacham will pay particular attention to works of history, biography, and religion. Meacham will also, per the house, "explore potential digital-publishing initiatives, drawing on his journalistic perspective and experience and his wide-ranging international contacts."
Meacham is also still under contract at RH for two forthcoming books: a biography of Thomas Jefferson as well as a biography of George H.W. Bush. His longtime editor, Kate Medina, will be working on both titles.
