Betsy Lerner has resigned as executive editor at Doubleday to join the Gernert Company as a literary agent. The Gernert Company was founded three years ago by David Gernert after he resigned as editor-in-chief of Doubleday, where he was Lerner's boss. "It's time to grow the business, and Betsy's appointment is an important step in our growth," Gernert told PW, adding that he is in the process of moving his agency to larger quarters.

Originally launched to represent Gernert's author at Doubleday, John Grisham, the Gernert Company has since added about a dozen clients, including Peter Guralnick, Stewart O'Nan and Peter Straub. Gernert was coy about what new direction he may take his firm, noting only that he "hopes to provide some new services to authors."