Rabinowitch Takes Helm at IUP

by Claire Kirch -- Publishers Weekly, 9/27/2004

After a year-long national search, Indiana University Press announced last week that its inside candidate, Janet Rabinowitch, an editor at the press for 29 years and interim director for the past year, will take the helm permanently as director, effective immediately. Rabinowitch is the fourth director and the first woman to be named to the position at the 54-year-old press. She replaces previous Indiana University Press director Peter-John Leone, who resigned in June 2003, after holding the position for only three years.

Rabinowitch had no intention of applying for the permanent position when she agreed to act as interim director. She explained, "I had a long career as acquisitions editor and sponsoring editor. I found that work satisfying. But after being interim director for about six months, I decided to apply for this position. I felt that I could contribute something to the press and bring people together in fulfilling our mission."

Rabinowitch does not anticipate making any dramatic changes at the press in the near future. "We want to build upon our strengths and raise the profile of the press," she said. IUP publishes approximately 140 titles per year and had sales of $7.5 million in the last fiscal year. It is best known for its Russian studies, African studies and women's/gender studies titles. Its new trade imprint, Quarry Books, focuses on titles of regional interest. The first five titles under the Quarry Books imprint will be released this fall.