Malcolm Margolin, founder and publisher/executive director of Berkeley-based Heyday Books, is retiring this December after 41 years at the press.
Heyday, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, is an independent, nonprofit, regional publisher known for titles on social justice, history, Native American studies and nature books and field guides. As its founder, Margolin is known for being involved in every aspect of the press, which has largely been driven by his personal interests.
“I look with pride and amazement at the hundreds of books we've published, the communities we've nourished, and the wealth of ideas we've put forth,” wrote Margolin in a letter he recently sent out to Heyday followers. “We have a splendid board, the best staff anyone could ask for, several seasons of spectacular, heartfelt books lined up, and money in the bank.” Given his age and the awareness of “limitations of health,” Margolin added that it is time for a person with a different skillset to "run a mature and complex organization and lead it into the future. With deep love and with bittersweet joy, I am now working with the board on the search for a new executive director/publisher to take charge by the end of 2015.”
While Margolin’s last official day is December 31, 2015, the board is retaining him as an “advisor for life”, perhaps to ensure the press maintains the spirit of its iconoclastic founder.
