BTW News Briefs

New President for Knopf Publishing Group

On February 2, it was announced that Anthony Chirico had been named president of Knopf Publishing Group. He was previously executive vice president, COO. The announcement was made by Sonny Mehta, editor-in-chief of the Knopf Publishing Group. Chirico will continue to report to Mehta.

Mehta will remain as editor-in-chief and will assume the additional title of chairman, Knopf Publishing Group.

In his new role as president, Chirico will continue to help Mehta manage and plan strategically for the Knopf Publishing Group. He will also continue to work with Mehta and the group publishers on expanding and implementing the publishing initiatives of the group's individual imprints, which include Knopf, Vintage, Anchor, Pantheon, Schocken, Everyman's Library, and Vintage Espanol.

Bloomsbury Title to Raise Funds for Tsunami Relief

On March 3, Bloomsbury will publish New Beginnings, a collection of 16 bestselling authors' first chapters of their forthcoming novels. The proceeds will be contributed to charities benefiting those affected by the Asian Tsunami. Authors include Tracy Chevalier, Margaret Atwood, J.M. Coetzee, and Ian McEwan. Bloomsbury is requesting sponsorship for all costs to ensure that all money raised by the sale of the books goes toward relief charities.

Thackeray's to Close in May

Thackeray's Books, a 22-year-old mainstay in Toledo, Ohio, will close in May. The Toledo Blade reported that one of the contributing factors leading to the retailer's demise is the upcoming opening of a Borders in nearby Westfield Shoppingtown Franklin Park. By arrangement with Thackeray's, Borders is interviewing Thackeray's 29 employees for jobs at the Franklin Park superstore and will give them first priority on openings. Thackeray's president Clyde Dilley, 73, said the choice "was the hardest decision I've ever had to make," according to the Blade. The closing will leave Fireside Books in Springfield Township as the last independent general bookstore in the area.