As part of the Hachette Book Group's ongoing reorganization of Workman Publishing, Algonquin publisher Betsy Gleick, who has led the imprint for eight years; associate publisher Michael McKenzie; and an unspecified number of Algonquin staff will be let go effective October 4.

Little, Brown president and publisher Sally Kim announced the layoffs, which she described as "the final part of the Workman reorganization," in a memo to staff.

Gleick has served as publisher of Algonquin since late 2019, succeeding longtime publisher Elisabeth Scharlatt, and as editorial director since 2016. She previously completed stints at Audible, People magazine, and Time magazine.

McKenzie has been with Algonquin since 2015, and was promoted to associate publisher, from executive director of publicity, in late 2019, overseeing all marketing and publicity for both Algonquin and Algonquin Young Readers. Previously, he spent nearly 13 years at HarperCollins, where he held the role of senior director of publicity at Ecco.

Algonquin was part of HBG's acquisition of Workman, which the company purchased in August 2021 on the condition that it keep all Workman employees for three years. With the expiration of that term approaching, HBG announced in July a "realignment" that included moving Algonquin into Little, Brown, with staff newly reporting to Kim, who was named LB president and publisher in March. Other changes included the discontinuation of Algonquin Young Readers and layoffs at Workman Publishing.

Founded in Chapel Hill, N.C., in 1983, Algonquin established a reputation as an independent publisher of literary bestsellers, such as Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and particularly championed voices from the South. It was acquired by Workman in 1989.

"With the Algonquin group moving into the Little, Brown and Company division in July," Kim said in her message to staff, "we’re looking to redefine its longstanding mission—giving space to undiscovered voices—during a time when our consumer landscape and reader discoverability continue to shift and create new opportunities for publishers with a distinct point of view," adding that this required making "some difficult staffing decisions."

Kim said that "[i]n the coming weeks and months" she would "share plans for Algonquin’s future, with an emphasis on new senior editorial leadership."