Reorg at S&S Kids
Jon Anderson, who took over as executive v-p and publisher of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing in January, has moved Emma Dryden, v-p and publisher of Atheneum and Margaret K. McElderry imprints, to an editorial advisory role, and named Justin Chanda, v-p and publisher of S&S Books for Young Readers, to the same role for Atheneum and McElderry. Also being promoted is Mara Anastas, v-p and deputy publisher of the Aladdin and Simon Pulse imprints, who will add the same responsibility for Little Simon and Simon Spotlight.
As a result of the reorganization, Frank Totaro, v-p and deputy publisher for Little Simon and Simon Spotlight, is leaving the company, as is Kevin Lewis, editorial director of the SSBYR imprint and editor for the highly successful Spiderwick Chronicles.
Michelin Adds iPhone Apps
Michelin has launched iPhone apps for its New York and San Francisco restaurant guides; the apps list all the restaurants selected by the Michelin guide and were developed by ViaMichelin, a subsidiary of the Michelin Group. iPhone apps already exist for France and Europe.
Hachette Forms Speakers Bureau
Hachette Book Group has teamed up with Greater Talent Network to launch the Hachette Speakers Bureau. Authors from all of HBG's various imprints will be represented by HSB, with several dozen already signed on. GTN was founded in 1981 and represents more than 100 celebrity speakers on the lecture circuit.
Switch in Hachette UK Distribution
Hachette Book Group USA will take over distribution of Hachette UK's titles into the Canadian markebeginning January 1. Publicity and marketing for Hachette UK titles will be handled by Hachette Book Group Canada. HB Fenn will add Hachette UK titles to sell to certain accounts. Most of Hachette UK's books are currently sold in Canada by McArthur & Co. and distributed by HC Canada.
Virden Dies at 56
Craig Virden, former head of children's books at Random House, died on May 6. He was 56. Virden began his career at Curtis Brown Ltd. in 1975. After other jobs in the industry, he was named president and publisher of the Random House Books for Young Readers group in 1998. He left the company in 2002 and cofounded the Lookybook Web site. Most recently he joined his wife as a literary agent at the Nancy Gallt Agency. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, May 27, at 4:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Church at 619 Lexington Ave. in New York City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Virden's memory to mothers2mothers (m2m.org), an organization dedicated to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
