As dramatic staffing news rocked HarperStudio today, staffers opened an online dialogue with readers about the future of the HarperCollins imprint.
HarperStudio publisher Bob Miller is leaving to serve as Group Publisher at Workman Publishing and HarperCollins’ and U.S. publisher Michael Morrison will lead HarperStudio when Miller departs in May. HarperStudio created a Formspring.me page to field questions from readers. One person asked the looming question: “Will you be canceling contracts or will all books that have been signed up be published?”
This answer was posted: “No contracts canceled. Books that are on the schedule through Fall 2010 will be HarperStudio titles — and after that we’re going to put our heads together and figure out what where when how for the rest. Maybe HarperStudio 2.0. Maybe something different. I have no idea, but I feel like the world is our oyster. I LOVE our authors (all of them) and can’t wait to work on their books — and the mojo goes where we go. To be continued, for sure.”
Another reader asked: “Will [Associate Publisher] Debbie Stier be at the helm after Bob Miller leaves in May?” The reply was brief: “Honestly, I don’t think any of us have decided how the future is going to look. Deep breaths. Time to reflect.”
Finally, the imprint fielded a question about new manuscripts: “I wouldn’t send a submission today 🙂 I imagine in the future we’ll be acquiring. The question is what form it will take. Stay tuned.”
Update: Gawker picks up the story, noting: “online writers aspiring to the format of thickly-bound dead trees will no doubt be watching closely, given how many bloggers have signed deals with the imprint thus far. The author page includes Wonkette’s Ken Layne, The Awl’s Choire Sicha, Daily Beast/Awl blogger Natasha Vargas-Cooper and Gawker’s Ryan Tate and Richard Blakeley.”