Paul C. Williams, executive director of the National Association of Independent Publishers Representatives and copublisher of Bunim & Bannigan, Ltd, died Monday in New York City of complications from throat cancer. He was 51 years old.
“Independent reps across the country owe Paul a debt of gratitude as he shored up the finances of NAIPR and spearheaded an innovative electronic ordering system that saved countless hours for reps and booksellers alike. His legacy will live on as this system, Frontlist Plus Universal, will continue to serve the bookselling community, saving time and money and being brilliant in its simplicity and execution,” said NAIPR president Eric Miller on his blog.
Williams began his career as a bookseller first with Encore Books in Philadelphia and then the Doubleday Book Shop in New York. He moved into publishing in the late ‘80s and held sales positions with Ballantine Books and Grove Press/Weidenfeld & Nicolson before becoming director of marketing and sales at Rizzoli International Publications and Routledge/International Thompson Publishing.
In 1997, Williams founded the independent literary press Herodias, Inc., which he ran until 2002. Then in 2005 he became copublisher with James Munves, of B & B, a small press based dedicated to unique literary works and political nonfiction.
Surviving are: William’s wife, Livia Tenzer, and their daughter, Julia (age four), as well as a son, Corey (age 22); his mother, Irene Sieminski Williams; and his siblings Hugh Jr., David, Margaret, and Mark Williams.
A memorial service will be held at the 15th Street Friends Meeting in Manhattan later this fall. Donations can be made to the American Friends Service Committee.
