Xulon Shuts Down Editorial Department; Ryan and Jacobs Read Tonight; Guideposts Hires Head of Consumer Marketing

by Lynn Garrett, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 5/21/2008

Christian POD publisher Xulon Press has closed down its editorial department effective May 8. Launched in February 2005 and headed by veteran CBA author and editor Angie Kiesling, the department offered editing and agenting services to Xulon clients whose manuscripts met certain quality criteria. Now Xulon clients are directed on its Web site to a list of recommended freelance editors, including Kiesling. Xulon and its parent company, Salem Communications, did not respond to requests for comment on the move. 

Trish Ryan, author of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope and Happily Ever After (Hachette/FaithWords) is doing a joint reading with A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible (Simon & Schuster), tonight (May 21) in New YorkCity at Borders, 576 Second Ave., at 7 p.m. The authors will discuss their experiences of writing a memoir, as well as read from their books. PW called Ryan's book "winsome" and Jacobs'"highly entertaining." 

Guideposts has hired Anne Adriance as v-p of consumer marketing. In a statement, president and CEO Richard V Hopple said, "As we move forward to build our popular consumer brands into true franchises, Anne's talent and experience will be central to the development of real consumer insights and to our ability to turn those insights into effective marketing programs." Most recently Adriance was a senior executive and principal at the Burns Group, a New York City creative branding agency. She will be based at Guideposts corporate headquarters in Carmel, NY.