Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has named Jackie Engel v-p and associate publisher, effective August 1. She will step into the role vacated by former LBYR deputy publisher Andrew Smith, who joined Abrams as senior v-p and publisher of its children’s books division this past March.
Engel will report to LBYR executive v-p and publisher Megan Tingley, and will focus on growing the business, specifically through marketing strategy, list positioning, new business development, and digital publishing.
"I'm excited about transitioning from the sales side of the business to the publishing side," Engel told PW, "and more importantly, working closely with the author, illustrator, and editorial talent at LBYR."
Engel, a longtime Penguin sales executive, was most recently v-p and group sales director at Penguin Young Readers. She has worked with authors including John Green, B.J. Novak, Jacqueline Woodson, and Gayle Forman, and on licensed publishing programs including Winnie the Pooh, Mad Libs, and Cartoon Network properties.
"At LBYR our mission is to continue to innovate, grow, and support our stellar list of authors and artists," Tingley said in a statement. "In Jackie I found the perfect partner—a brilliant strategic thinker with an outstanding breadth of industry knowledge and a passionate advocate for children’s books and their creators."
