Looking to capitalize on what it sees as the growing demand for inspirational books for children, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing group has formed Little Simon Inspirations. Valerie Garfield has been named v-p and editorial director of the new faith-based imprint as well as of S&S's other novelty imprint, Little Simon. Garfield, who had been director of the book group at Sesame Workshop, will join S&S February 14 and will report to Robin Corey, executive v-p, novelty, media and teen publishing for the house.
Little Inspirations launches in February with five titles, among them a new board-book edition of a backlist title, Give Me Grace, and a touch-and-feel book, All God's Creatures. Four more books will follow in August, with plans to publish four to six titles per season. "As we see how it's going out, we'll gear it up if necessary," Corey said. Along with novelty titles, Little Inspirations will offer hardcovers, paperbacks and some book-with-CD releases, but has no plans to do traditional Bible stories. A few backlist S&S titles that are appropriate will be reissued but, going forward, the material will new.
Corey said titles in the line will be sold in the Christian marketplace as well as through mainstream retailers and mass market outlets. "We have a big opportunity because there are not a lot of novelty titles in that [mass market] market,"Corey said. To differentiate the line, books will carry the endorsement of popular Christian author Max Lucado.
Marketing Reorg
In the S&S adult group, the company has reorganized its marketing department into two groups, with an eye toward developing stronger relationships with consumers.
Sue Fleming, v-p, director of marketing, will oversee a new unit that will implement marketplace initiatives. Among the group's objectives are the creation of more marketing programs aimed directly at consumers. S&S also intends "to place renewed emphasis" on academic marketing, according to a memo from Michael Selleck, who has been promoted to senior v-p and executive director of sales and marketing.
A second marketing unit will consist of marketing managers who will work with specific imprints on marketing plans.
One casualty of the reorganization was Craig Herman, v-p and marketing director.
