Heidi Benson, former senior editor of the San Francisco Chronicle's Sunday magazine, has been named the paper's new full-time publishing reporter. Benson told PW she will be covering "the publishing industry, bookstores, trends and personalities for any and all sections of the paper."

The appointment comes about a year after the Chronicle canceled and then later restored its stand-alone book review section. Assistant executive editor Narda Zacchino, who has strengthened the Chronicle's commitment to book coverage, said Benson's appointment "is a recognition by the Chronicle of the importance of publishing in America and in the Bay Area. It's long overdue."