Scholastic has announced the promotion of Liza Baker to v-p, publisher in the Scholastic Trade Publishing division, effective September 7. In addition, beginning after Labor Day, current v-p and publisher Ken Geist will take on the role of v-p, publisher-at-large for Scholastic Trade Publishing, following a move to Portland, Ore.
Baker will oversee the publishing and editorial direction for the division’s younger readers’ imprints, including Acorn, Branches, Cartwheel, and Orchard. Baker, who will report to Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic Trade Publishing, first joined Scholastic in 1997 as an editor for novelty and picture books, a position she held for six years. After moving to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, where she later served as editor-in-chief, she returned to Scholastic in 2014 as associate publisher for Cartwheel and Orchard.
In his new role, Geist will remain as the head of the Pilkey Publishing program and will acquire new projects as well as working with his established artists and illustrators. He will continue to work with David Saylor, v-p, creative director and publisher of Graphix.
Berger said of the moves, “Ken has played a pivotal role in the strategy and development of our young readers list and I’m grateful for his many years of unparalleled creativity and passion. I am happy to see Liza taking on this expanded role. In recent years, she has not only brought in celebrated talents like Mac Barnett and Peter H. Reynolds, but she has led the charge on our successful preschool novelty publishing featuring creators Sandra Magsamen and Joyce Wan, while overseeing the Scholastic Early Learners brand. I am delighted she will be at the helm creating engaging content for our youngest readers and look forward to seeing our list grow and innovate under her leadership.”
