Sourcebooks has named Catherine Onder to the newly created role of v-p and publisher of children’s books. Onder has worked in the children’s publishing world for two decades, most recently as senior v-p and publisher of HMH Books for Young Readers, and before that as editorial director at Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
At Sourcebooks, Onder will work with the editorial, marketing, and sales teams to grow the company’s children’s and YA brands, among them the How to Catch series by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton; Chris Ferrie’s Baby Universe books; and the work of Bill Cotter, Sandra Magsamen, Marieke Nijkamp, and Marianne Richmond. Onder will also partner with Sourcebooks’s marketing and digital departments and will help lead the further expansion of the internal packaging group.
While at HMH, Onder oversaw the launch of the Versify imprint, the development of the Etch graphic novel list, and the growth of the Little Blue Truck series by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry.
“I deeply admire Sourcebooks’ innovative, entrepreneurial, and agile approach to publishing,” Onder said in a statement. “The company has achieved an extraordinary amount in children’s books since its inaugural kids’ title in 2005. I’m looking forward to working with the ingenious team and brilliant creators to build off their impressive successes and to take the list to new heights.”
Steve Geck, previously editorial director of children’s books at Sourcebooks, moved to editor-at-large in July, focusing on acquisitions and development across the children’s imprints.
Todd Stocke, Sourcebooks’s v-p and editorial director, noted that “2021 will close as our biggest year ever in our children’s business. That will be up more than 35% over last year, which was also our largest year ever. We’re thrilled to add Catherine to our immensely talented team to help continue to fan the flames of growth for our authors, publishing and retail partners, and ultimately kids and families across the world.”
