All indications are that August in publishing is like August in Italy. Apparently, we need to rethink our choice to forego a trip to Tuscany this month because publishing industry news continues to fly. Yesterday, we posted a rumor about a single editorial change, now we have an entire press release related to changes at Harlequin/Silhouette.
We’ve complained about certain stagnation at H/S for years — but certainly didn’t expect such major organizational changes. Of course, the recent announcement of major line revamping offered a clue as to direction the publisher is moving, but seeing actual names attached to changes makes it all the more real. We suspect there will further changes as the new editorial structure trickles into place. Full press release below, and we have more commentary and thoughts linked at the bottom of the page:
Harlequin Enterprises Announces Organizational Changes in Editorial
DivisionAugust 12, 2004 – Toronto, ON – Harlequin Enterprises Limited today announced organizational changes to the editorial division, effective immediately.
“We are committed to building and expanding both our series and single title businesses. To further strengthen our focus in both of these areas, we have made some organizational changes that we believe utilize our editorial talent more effectively,” says Donna Hayes, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer.
Loriana Sacilotto will assume the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Global Publishing and Strategy. She will lead Editorial in the development of a long-term editorial vision, ensuring Harlequin’s publishing program delivers fresh, relevant stories to readers, and that innovation and growth remain key elements of the company’s strategy. Most recently Executive Vice President of the North American Retail group, Loriana brings a wide range of publishing experience to the editorial department.
Her team will consist of five key groups: Isabel Swift, Vice President, Author and Asset Development, Randall Toye, Director of Global Series, Dianne Moggy, Director of Global Single Titles, Janet Finlay, Director of Research and a new position, Director Editorial Analysis.
In this new role Isabel will be responsible for key strategic acquisitions, developing new business opportunities and for accelerating author development within our publishing programs. Her team includes Malle Vallik, Editorial Director of eHarlequin and Asset Development, and Executive Editors Paula Eykelhof and Leslie Wainger.
Randall Toye will take responsibility for Series, with support from Editorial Director Karin Stoecker, who is returning to the editorial acquisition office in the U.K., Editorial Director Tara Gavin, who will assume responsibility for the development of Next, Executive Editors Mary-Theresa Hussey and Birgit Davis-Todd, responsible for the Silhouette and Harlequin imprints respectively, and Executive Editor Joan Marlow Golan, who will continue to grow the Steeple Hill imprint.
Dianne Moggy will continue to be responsible for the Single Title strategy, including ongoing acquisitions. She will oversee Margaret Marbury, Executive Editor of MIRA Books and Red Dress Ink, Tracy Farrell, Executive Editor of HQN Books, and will assume responsibility for the Gold Eagle and Worldwide Library imprints under Executive Editor Feroze Mohammed and the Signature program under Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg.
“We believe these changes will better position us for growth and will allow us to concentrate on the key drivers of our business- publishing great books, acquiring and building our authors, and more effectively leveraging the talent of the editorial team,” says Donna Hayes. “This strategic redesign will deliver increased focus to meeting our goal of becoming a world leader in women’s fiction. Please join us in congratulating everyone on their new assignments and supporting them as they take on their new responsibilities.”
We have further editorial details for those who can’t get enough:
Silhouette Romance’s new associate senior editor is Ann Leslie Tuttle; Mavis
Allen is now associate senior editor with Steeple Hill Books.
Silhouette Intimate Moments’ new associate senior editor is Patience Smith.
Silhouette Next’s (formerly known as Prime Time) new editorial director is Tara Gavin.
LUNA Books’ senior editor is still Mary-Theresa Hussey; her new title is
executive editor, Silhouette Books.
Silhouette Special Edition’s senior editor is still Gail Chasan.
Harlequin Intrigue’s senior editor is still Denise O’Sullivan.
Silhouette Bombshell’s senior editor is still Natashya Wilson.
Harlequin Romance’s associate senior editor is still Bryony Green.
Silhouette Desire’s senior editor is still Melissa Jeglinski.
Update: For more thoughts and commentary on this issue, see:
1 response so far ↓
Artie Stockton // Feb 13, 2005 at 7:46 pm
I happened to hear the interesting NPR piece with Donna Hayes yesterday, and my comment re the dilemma of gaining new readers while keeping the older mainstays is this.
–For older readers demand more quality writing and interesting ideas/plots from your authors (I am one of the over 50 readership group; remember, we have disposable income so please don’t slight our piece of your market). My friends and I are eclectic readers (fiction, non-fiction, etc.), reasonably educated, and selective.
-The same may be true for your younger readership. I can only use my daughter and her friends as examples. First, they are amazing (average three kids, soccer moms, college educated) and believe it or not, do find time to read. They want something a little deeper than your average bodice-ripper. A recent example is Good Grief by Lolly Winston. They also enjoy inspirational but not sappy novels.
Most likely you’ll always have the audience who is interested in the hard-core romance; it just may be wearing a little thin. After all, if that’s what they want there’s always day-time soaps, cable tv, and/or Desperate Housewives.
-increase the support of your inspirational line in terms of quality and authors. Life’s challenges are more serious since 9/11 and many people seem to be soul-searching.
That’s all! Thanks for listening.