S&S CEO to step down, launch Simon Six imprint

In the US, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp has announced he will step down to launch and lead a new imprint, Simon Six, reported Publishers Weekly (PW) yesterday.

Karp will remain as CEO until the company hires a successor.

In a letter to staff (as reported by PW), Karp said, ‘When KKR acquired Simon & Schuster, I agreed to stay on to lead our company through the transition, but my north star has always been our authors and their books. […] I have decided it’s time for me to return to the part of publishing that animates me the most.’

Board members Ted Oberwager and Richard Sarnoff said, ‘Under Jon Karp’s exceptional leadership over the past five years, Simon & Schuster has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in an evolving publishing landscape. His strategic vision and commitment to literary excellence have strengthened the company immeasurably, attracted new/renowned authors and reinforced its legacy as a premier global publisher.’

Karp had been in the top role since 2020, having earlier held positions at the publishing house including publisher (from 2010) and president and publisher of the adult publishing division (from 2018); he earlier worked for a 16-year stint at Random House and also founded an imprint during a period working for Hachette Book Group.

Simon Six plans to publish six books a year. Karp is looking to acquire ‘books of quality, singularity and relevance’.

Category: International news