A number of publishing industry veterans made new career moves this week.
Kenneth Wright will join Penguin Books for Young Readers as vice president and publisher of Viking Children’s Books. Prior to this move, Wright worked as a literary agent at Writers House. Some of the writers and illustrators he has worked with include Caldecott Medalist Allen Say, Where Things Come Back author John Corey Whaley and Charles and Emma YA novelist Deborah Heiligman.
Regina Hayes will step down as president and publisher of the imprint, becoming editor-at-large. Hayes has been in children’s publishing for 30 years. She has worked with New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen, Speak author Laurie Halse Anderson and Max & Ruby series creator Rosemary Wells.
Mary Ann Naples will join Zola Books as chief of business development. She will be overseeing the development of exclusive eBook partnerships with major authors. Prior to this move, Naples served as the vice president of business development at Open Sky.
Seale Ballenger will jump from HarperCollins to Zola Books as head of marketing and publicity. At HarperCollins, Ballenger worked on publicity campaigns for several bestselling authors including TV personality Bill O’Reilly, Bram Stoker Award winner Joe Hill and Marley & Me author John Grogan.