Penguin Young Readers has announced a reorganization that will merge its Razorbill imprint into Putnam Books for Young Readers.
Razorbill launched in 2004 as a teen imprint, originally focusing on books that tied in to TV and other non-book media. Its portfolio expanded over the years, and now includes picture books, nonfiction, and graphic novels. In an internal announcement, Jen Klonsky, president and publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers and Putnam Books for Young Readers, said, “While Razorbill was founded as a cutting-edge teen fiction list, it has over the years evolved into a broad general interest children’s list that aligns perfectly with the mission of Putnam, and so it makes sense to merge these two lists and their terrific editorial teams under the Putnam shingle to create a truly powerhouse imprint.”
Titles that Razorbill has published over the years include Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, the Ember in the Ashes series and All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir, They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman, Marcel the Shell by Jenny Slate, the Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes, and How to Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine.
Casey McIntyre, who joined Razorbill in 2014 and is currently v-p and publisher, will take on the new role of v-p, editor-at-large, Putnam Books for Young Readers, reporting to Klonsky. The Razorbill staff is moving to Putnam, effective immediately, and Razorbill authors will also be moving to the Putnam list; the final standalone Razorbill list will be spring 2024.
In other related moves, Nancy Mercado, currently associate publisher and editorial director for Dial Books for Young Readers, has been promoted to v-p and associate publisher, Putnam Books for Young Readers and Dial Books for Young Readers, reporting to Klonsky. Putnam associate editorial director Susan Kochan has been promoted to senior executive editor, and executive editor Ruta Rimas has been promoted to senior executive editor, both reporting to Mercado. Senior editor Chris Hernandez will now report to Nancy Mercado.
Executive editor Stephanie Pitts now reports to Mercado. Assistant editor Matt Phipps has been promoted to associate editor; he and editor Polo Orozco will report to Pitts.
Publishing associate Sarah Jospitre will continue to report to Klonsky, and will provide administrative support to Dial, Putnam, and Rocky Pond Books.
With art director Cecilia Yung announcing her retirement in September, the design group has been restructured. Lily Malcom, v-p and executive art director of Dial Books for Young Readers and Rocky Pond Books, has been promoted to senior v-p, executive art director of Dial Books for Young Readers, Nancy Paulsen Books, Putnam Books for Young Readers, and Rocky Pond Books.
Art director Marikka Tamura will now report to Malcom and support Putnam and Nancy Paulsen Books. Senior designer Suki Boynton, designer Nicole Rheingans, and designer Cindy de la Cruz will report to Tamura.
Art director Jenny Kelly will report to Malcom and support Dial and Rocky Pond Books. Designers Cerise Steel and Sylvia Bi will report to Kelly.
Associate art director Eileen Savage will report to Malcom and support Putnam. Assistant art director Jason Henry has been promoted to associate art director, reporting to Malcom and supporting Dial and Rocky Pond Books.
