Dickerman, Krauss Join Rodale Books; Gibson Up at Bloomsbury  

by Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 7/31/2008 2:05:00 PM

Karen Rinaldi, who moved from Bloomsbury to Rodale this spring, has made a series of appointments that gives a new look to the Rodale Books group. Set to join Rodale within a month are Colin Dickerman and Pam Krauss who will both serve as v-p, publishing directors of Rodale Books. Dickerman, who had worked with Rinaldi at Bloomsbury, will oversee the company’s narrative nonfiction list, while Krauss, who has spent 20 years at Clarkson Potter, will oversee the illustrated line.

Rinaldi said the new structure will allow Rodale to focus on its core areas of health, cooking and lifestyle while at the same time doing different types of books in those categories. Noting that Rodale is a leader in publishing service books in its main areas, Rinaldi said the company wants to “own” the category in other genres including narrative nonfiction and illustrated books. “If there is a dialogue happening on a subject we want it to happen here,” Rinaldi said about her decision to commit to narrative nonfiction titles, an area she was familiar with at Bloomsbury. The decision to focus on core subjects was a major factor in closing Rodale’s Modern Times imprint earlier this year. The imprint had been launched to do titles on politics and current events.

In addition to Dickerman and Krauss, Andrea Au Levitt has been named projects director, Prevention Books where she will work to develop a range of branded books and content. Au Levitt is moving to Rodale from Hatherleigh Press. Courtney Conroy has rejoined Rodale as editor and will work with Rodale’s Men’s Health and other magazines to develop branded books in the areas of health, fitness, nutrition, lifestyle and wellness. The final appointment is the promotion of Julie Will to senior editor. She has been at Rodale for one year and has overseen the Biggest Loser franchise.

Bloomsbury moved quickly to replace Dickerman, who had only been in his position for a few months following Rinaldi’s spring departure. George Gibson. longtime publisher of Bloomsbury’s Walker & Company division, has been promoted to publishing director of all of Bloomsbury USA. Richard Charkin, president of Bloomsbury USA, said, “George has the experience and publishing skill to build further our author roster and our market position in the USA and throughout the world.”