Random Consolidates Ballantine and Bantam Dell

Random House Publishing Group is merging Ballantine and Bantam Dell into one group, Ballantine Bantam Dell, combining the two independent editorial departments into one. Ballantine senior vice-president and publisher Libby McGuire will helm the new division; Nita Taublib, executive vice-president, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Bantam Dell, will "step down." Random House Publishing Group president Gina Centrello said she was saddened to see Taublib go, calling her "a one-of-a-kind editor."

Jennifer Hershey will become editor-in-chief of BBD, with Ballantine editorial director Linda Marrow and Bantam editorial director Kate Miciak reporting to her. Del Rey/Spectra publisher Scott Shannon will add duties as mass market publisher for the new group, with Kim Hovey as associate publisher; both will report to McGuire.

See the complete story in the May issue of Locus.