As HarperCollins continues its process of taking a close look at its imprints and reporting structures, it has begun a series of integration and personnel changes that could have the company looking very different when all is said and done.
Susan Friedland, who headed the HC cookbooks imprint, has left the company and will not be replaced. Friedland was an executive editor who was with Harper for more than 15 years. Along with Harriet Bell, who runs the Morrow cookbooks line, she was one of the most influential cookbook editors at Harper. Insiders believe that the move is a way to streamline the two cookbook units into one. Harper confirmed Friedland's departure but wouldn't comment further.
The house has also promoted Lisa Gallagher from senior v-p and associate publisher to publisher of the William Morrow, HarperEntertainment and Eos imprints. In her new post, Gallagher takes over some of the responsibilities formerly held by Michael Morrison before he was promoted last November to head the newly formed HarperMorrow division (News, Nov. 15, 2004). "I'm breaking up my former duties a bit," Morrison said.
Morrison will still directly oversee the Avon imprint and Bell's cookbook line. Claire Wachtel, v-p and executive editor of Morrow, will also still report directly to Morrison. More appointments are expected, Morrison said, as he gets his "key people in place." And a source familiar with the company noted that, via the Publishing+ program, a "fresh piece of paper" is being taken to the house's structures, and many things are in play
