The Hachette Book Group has appointed Crown Archetype editor-in-chief Mauro DiPreta v-p and publisher of Hachette Books, a new division created from the more than 1,000 Hyperion backlist titles HBG acquired last summer. DiPretal will start his new job March 31 and Hachette said he will be responsible for the “division's direction and publishing,” overseeing a staff of editors, marketers, and designers. All existing Hyperion employees will report to DiPreta who will also make additions to the division “as necessary,” Hachette said. Martha Levin, who Hachette brought in last year as interim publisher, will leave the company at the end of the month.
The Hachette Books division will publish books in the areas of narrative nonfiction, business, pop culture, science, health and wellness, humor, and some fiction. “The Hyperion backlist provides the perfect base for Hachette Books, which will focus on nonfiction, an important growth area for HBG,” said Michael Pietsch, CEO of HBG, adding that with his “superb publishing instincts, leadership, collaboration, and editorial talent,” DiPreta is the perfect person to lead the company’s new division.In addition to publishing titles acquired from Hyperion, Hachette Books will acquire new books as well. Hachette will put the Hachette Books name on Hyperion titles as they are reprinted.
DiPreta has spent more than two decades in the publishing industry. Before joining Crown, where he oversaw five imprints that release about 100 titles annually, he spent 16 years at HarperCollins and Williams Morrow. At HC he acquired the hit Marley and Me by John Grogan. Other authors he has worked with include Yogi Berra, Jay Leno, Yoko Ono, Slash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Archie and Peyton Manning, and Russell Brand. Upon his move to HBG he will become part of the executive management board.
