Strong Start for Bloomsbury; New Kids' Publisher

by Diane Roback, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 9/25/2006

Bloomsbury's U.S. division had a strong first six months, with sales jumping 46%, to 6.8 million pounds ($12.9 million). The loss in the quarter increased slightly, to 43,000 pounds, whichBloomsbury attributed to higher investment in the U.S. operation.

That expansion of the U.S. division continued today with the appointment of Melanie Cecka as publishing director, Bloomsbury Children's Books USA and Walker Books for Young Readers. Previously she was co-editorial director of Bloomsbury Children's along with Victoria Wells Arms; Arms will be stepping down to become editor-at-large, reporting to Cecka. Also reporting to Cecka is Emily Easton, publisher of Walker Books for Young Readers.

Cecka was an editor at Viking Children's Books for 10 years, and joined Bloomsbury as executive editor in 2004; she was named co-publishing director last November.

Arms explained that she felt the children's program needed someone in charge fulltime; with two-year-old twins, she has been halftime for more than a year. "I wanted to find a balance," she said. "I love my work and want to keep doing my books and stay involved with Bloomsbury. This way I can really focus on the books." She has 12 books signed up already for 2008, and will work at home three days a week. "It will be a very seamless change," Arms predicted.