BTW News Briefs

Obituary: Susan Reiheld

Susan Reiheld, 64, a Bay Area Random House rep for many years, died on January 28.

As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, Reiheld was a "fierce advocate for fledgling authors and independent booksellers. [She] will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her passion for books, her devotion to her friends, her courageous spirit, and her irreverent sense of humor." Donations in Susan's memory may be sent to Gilda's Club, www.gildasclub.org; NCFL, www.famlit.org; or Ceres Community Project, www.kitchencosmology.com.

Reiheld is survived by her husband, Rich; her son, Zachary; stepdaughters, Polly and Sophy; brothers, many nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.

Random House recently announced that it would underwrite a Susan Reiheld Scholarship to the ABA's Winter Institute for a Northern California Independent Bookseller Association member.

BookStream to Launch TitleWave, an Event for Booksellers

On February 27, independent book wholesaler BookStream will host TitleWave, a unique event including a lunch with authors, new title information, author presentations, and handselling tools, for the benefit of independent booksellers. TitleWave will take place at the Sheraton East Hartford, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participating authors are Steve Toltz, (Fraction of the Whole, Spiegel & Grau); Hillary Jordan (Mudbound, Algonquin); and Richard Price (Lush Life, FSG). The event is free for booksellers, but space is limited; attendees must RSVP with BookStream for a place at the event.

The centerpiece of the event will be an author lunch and presentation in the tradition of New York City bookseller lunches. The author lunch will be accompanied by a presentation of favorite titles by the BookStream staff, a multi-publisher "pick of the lists," focused on current and forthcoming frontlist titles from the spring publisher lists. BookStream sales rep and resident literature expert Ken Abramson, a former independent bookseller, will highlight picks of the spring frontlist from a variety of publishers. BookStream staff Carolyn Bennett and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo will offer giveaways and handselling tips for booksellers attending. Booksellers will also be invited to share their own recent favorite reads and bestselling titles with their peers.

Andy Ross to Launch Literary Agency

Andy Ross, former owner and President of Cody's Books in Berkeley, California, has announced the formation of the Andy Ross Literary Agency. The agency will specialize in general non-fiction, politics and current events, history, biography, journalism, and contemporary culture.

Andy Ross was owner of Cody's Books from 1977 - 2006, when he sold the business to Yohan, Inc., a Japanese book retailer and importer of English language books. Ross continued as president of Cody's until his retirement in December, 2007. "After spending 36 years in retailing, I am delighted to begin a new career at the other end of the publishing pipeline, finding great writers and turning great ideas into books," he said in a statement. "I believe my many years selling books to readers will give me a unique perspective as an agent. The world is changing quickly. This is an exciting time to be in publishing."

Elinor Hirschhorn Named Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer of Simon & Schuster

On February 4, Elinor Hirschhorn was named to the newly created position of executive vice president, chief digital officer of Simon & Schuster. Hirschhorn will have responsibility for the full scope of the company's activities in the digital realm. Under her management, the company will integrate, into one business unit, functions including strategy and new business development, consumer-focused digital marketing including cross title platforms, the company website SimonSays.com, electronic publishing, and the digital infrastructure and distribution system that the company is currently building.

Hirschhorn comes to Simon & Schuster from College Sports Television Networks (CSTV) where she was executive vice president, corporate development and strategy, and prior to that, executive vice president, digital media.

"Digital initiatives are a top priority for Simon & Schuster, and we are determined to avail ourselves to the maximum extent of the digital era opportunities to find, interact, and deliver content instantaneously and around the clock to our readers worldwide," said Carolyn Reidy, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster, in a statement. "Ellie's wide-ranging experience in digital media, strategy, and business development will help us to find new models that will support and enhance our publishing efforts."