Villalon Takes Buyout at 'Chronicle'

By Rachel Deahl -- Publishers Weekly, 8/25/2008 2:18:00 PM

San Francisco Chronicle books editor Oscar Villalon is leaving the paper, having taken a buyout. Buyouts have been looming at the paper, which has been suffering from worsening financial woes along with other major dailies throughout the country. Villalon's last day will be Friday, and it is expected that deputy book editor Regan McMahon will now oversee the section, one of only a handful of print standalone book review sections still running. Villalon's departure leaves McMahon as the only full-time staffer handling books. 

A Chronicle spokesperson wouldn't comment on the buyouts or what's ahead for the book section, saying only that the deadline to accept a buyout, originally set for last Friday, has been extended.

Villalon joined the book review in 1998, as deputy book editor, and became editor in 2001.