Weinberg Out at HarperCollins

by Steven Zeitchik, PW NewsLine -- Publishers Weekly, 3/7/2005

HarperCollins publisher Susan Weinberg is leaving the company. The house confirms the report and says that a replacement will eventually be named. In the interim the division will be run by Harper Morrow chief Michael Morrison.

Given the size of the division, insiders expect a relatively quick hire; the department is further stretched with the recent move of former associate publisher Carrie Kania to the paperback side. Asked if the departure was related to the company's Publishing+ initiative, a spokesperson said it wasn't.

Until last November Morrison and Weinberg were essentially equals, both reporting to group v-p Brian Murray. But a restructuring promoted Morrison over Weinberg and had the HC publisher reporting to him. Weinberg's departure marks the end of an era; she was one of the last senior execs still at the company to precede Jane Friedman.