The Hachette Book Group has made changes to its Hachette Books and Nashville divisions, moves that resulted in an unspecified number or layoffs. (Reports have the layoff number at about 25). Among those leaving include Hachette Books publisher, Mauro DiPreta.
Under the reorganization, Hachette Books is absorbing Da Capo Press. Hachette Books itself is moving into the Perseus Books division, which is overseen by Susan Weinberg who is senior v-p and publisher of the group.
According to a memo from HBG CEO Michael Piestch, as part of Perseus, Hachette Books will publish around 90 new nonfiction titles a year, across a broad range of topics including narrative nonfiction, history, music, sports, politics, business and inspiration. Da Capo will continue to be used as an imprint of Hachette Books and it will continue to release new music and popular culture titles. Da Capo’s Lifelong imprint, which focuses health and wellness books, will become an imprint of Hachette Books. And Seal Press, which specializes in feminist books, will join Basic Books's publishing program where it will continue to release new titles under the Seal name.
DiPreta, who has been at Hachette Books since March 2014 is leaving the company. Until a new publisher is named, Weinberg will serve as acting publisher. Also at the executive level, HBG announced that John Radziewicz, the longtime v-p and publisher of Da Capo Press, is retiring and will leave the company November 30.
In Nashville, HBG consolidated the editorial and publishing teams of its two Christian publishing units, FaithWords and Worthy. HBG acquired Worthy in September. Publisher Rolf Zettersten will oversee the FaithWords, Center Street, and Worthy imprints.
