Maria Modugno, editor-in-chief of Little, Brown's children's book division, left the company earlier this month, not long after relocating from Boston to New York City. In a statement, LB children's book division publisher David Ford said, "After serious consideration, Maria and I mutually agreed to go our separate ways." Ford said he thinks Modugno "is a very talented editor. I wish her the best in her new endeavors." Modugno told PW, "After 15 years, I've moved back to New York, and have decided to take some time and consider my future."
Ford has no plans to immediately replace Modugno. Director of publicity Allison Devlin said Ford will examine the marketplace and evaluate the talent inside and outside of the company before deciding how to proceed. Earlier this year, the children's division completed the move from its offices in Boston to New York. "There have been a lot of changes," Devlin noted. Devlin is one of the children's group's most recent new hires, having joined the company this summer. Others that have joined the LB team include Bill Boedeker, who has been named v-p, marketing; and Lynda Tinari, who has been appointed marketing manager.
