Parker Exits Bookspan
by Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 9/22/2003
Mel Parker resigned last week as senior v-p and editorial director of Bookspan. Parker will be returning to trade book publishing where he served in a number of high-level positions. Although Parker did not disclose his particular plans for the future, he told PW, "it's been a very exciting four years in the book clubs... but I'm looking forward to getting back to what I love most—working with authors, developing books and orchestrating bestsellers."
Prior to joining Book-of-the-Month Club in September 1999, Parker was senior v-p of Warner Books and publisher of Warner's paperback division. He had also been editorial director of Berkley Publishing Group. Following the merger of BOMC with the Doubleday Direct clubs in December 1999, Parker was appointed to direct the editorial operations of the combined companies. Bookspan credits Parker for playing an "instrumental" role in bringing together BOMC with Doubleday.
Bookspan said it expects to name a new editorial director soon. Until a successor is found, Bookspan editors will report to Seth Radwell, president of the marketing and editorial group.
