Penguin Young Readers has announced two promotions to key roles. Tamar Brazis has been named v-p and publisher of Viking Children’s Books and Philomel. Jill Santopolo been promoted to v-p and publisher of Philomel. They replace president and publisher Ken Wright, who is retiring at the end of the month.
Moving up from associate publisher, Brazis will steer the business and publishing strategies of both imprints, while continuing to edit a select number of picture books. Santopolo, who was formerly v-p and associate publisher of Philomel, will oversee that imprint’s acquisitions and publishing strategy, along with Brazis, while continuing to edit her own titles.
Jen Loja, president of PYR, said in a statement, “I am thrilled to see Tamar take the helm of the Viking Penguin group. She is a strategic thinker and a natural leader with an incredible creative eye. Her calm, clear vision will beautifully expand upon the rich and diverse publishing programs built by former Viking heads Regina Hayes and Ken Wright. And I congratulate Jill on her new position. She is already the keeper of both the heart and the strategy of Philomel and this new title solidifies her role as the creative driving force of the imprint.”
Wright said, “I truly couldn’t be more delighted to be passing the baton on to Tamar. She is an enormously creative and big-thinking editor and publisher,” adding, “This is such a well-earned and deserved promotion for Jill. Philomel is a vibrant imprint because of her creative instinct and leadership skills.”
After launching her career at HarperCollins and then Abrams Books for Young Readers, where she worked for nearly 15 years and was named editorial director, Brazis joined Viking Children’s Books in 2018 as editorial director of illustrated publishing and was promoted to associate publisher in 2021. She acquired the debut picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, Change Sings, among other bestselling picture books.
Santopolo, who is also an author, joined Philomel in 2009 and has since acquired and edited bestselling and acclaimed picture books and middle grade nonfiction by such figures as Chelsea Clinton (She Persisted) and Kamala Harris (Superheroes Are Everywhere). She began her career at HarperCollins.
