Greg Greeley has been named CEO of Simon & Schuster, succeeding Jonathan Karp, who remains at the company as publisher of a new imprint, Simon Six. The two will work together during the transition.

Greg Greeley (Roger Knopf Photography)

Greeley has worked in a variety of industries and multinational businesses, including a nearly 19-year tenure at Amazon. At Amazon, he led the company's global books and media business pioneering print-on-demand publishing, launching the Amazon self-publishing platform, and expanding Amazon global audiobook and books marketplace through various acquisitions. He also helped create and launch Amazon Prime and later championed reader discovery programs for Prime members, including First Reads, Prime Reading, and Audible spoken-word offerings.

After Amazon, Greeley was president of Airbnb's Homes business. He later served as president and COO of lab automation company Opentrons and then as CEO of Thrasio. Most recently, he was an investor and adviser to a range of technology and consumer companies, including venture firms such as Tapas Capital and TCV.

Greeley said: "Simon & Schuster has played an enduring role in sharing and shaping human culture through books, and I'm honored to steward that mission for the next generation of authors and readers. For more than 100 years, the company has been synonymous with entrepreneurship and innovation. Simon & Schuster has been uniquely successful while remaining deeply anchored in editorial quality and trust. The opportunity to support authors' careers and help their stories and ideas travel widely and take root across formats, markets, and generations is deeply compelling."

Richard Sarnoff, chairman of S&S and an executive at KKR, which bought S&S in 2023, said, "Greg Greeley is a talented and strategic leader with wide-ranging experience managing enterprises across physical and digital markets. His depth of expertise and avid love of books give us the confidence that he is the right CEO to take Simon & Schuster forward as it begins its next 100 years, taking the reins from Jon Karp, who has our enduring gratitude for his exceptional stewardship and whose brilliant publishing and editorial contributions will continue with Simon Six."

Ted Oberwager, an S&S board member and KKR executive, said, "Over the course of his career, Greg has brought an innovative spirit and multifaceted approach to the publishing industry, serving authors and readers all along the way. I have never been more optimistic about Simon & Schuster's future than I am today. Greg's experience and passion will be invaluable to Simon & Schuster as it builds on its iconic legacy and navigates an ever-evolving global media landscape. We look forward to investing behind Greg and the meaningful opportunity ahead."

Karp was appointed CEO in 2020 after the sudden death of Carolyn Reidy. Last August, he announced plans to step down as CEO and start Simon Six. Karp began his publishing career in 1989 as an editorial assistant at Random House, where he worked for 16 years, rising to the position of editor-in-chief. In 2005, he joined Hachette Book Group, where he founded and was publisher and editor-in-chief of Twelve. For 10 years he was publisher of S&S's flagship imprint before becoming CEO. 

Karp said, "Greg is ideally suited to lead Simon & Schuster into its next chapter, and I couldn't be happier to pass on the stewardship of our great legacy to someone as visionary and accomplished as Greg. He is a transformative CEO and the best person to take Simon & Schuster to the next level while ensuring we keep books and their authors at the heart of everything we do. I am thrilled to be working with him and am confident he will take us to even greater heights."

Michael Shoults has been promoted to CEO of HBG US Distribution, succeeding Matt Wright who is becoming CFO, Hachette UK, following the retirement of Pierre de Cacqueray after 29 years with the company.

Michael Shoults

Shoults served for eight years in the U.S. Army, where he was commissioned as a lieutenant and had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Following an honorable discharge, he held leadership positions at Amazon, GameStop, and a private equity startup formerly known as Heyday. For the past year, he has been COO of HBG US Distribution.

David Shelley, CEO of HBG and Hachette UK, said, "Mike Shoults has made an enormous impact on our distribution business since he began in 2025. He is passionately devoted to making our distribution services better all the time, and his energy and vision are remarkable."

Wright said, "Mike is a visionary, his enthusiasm is infectious, and I am delighted that we will continue to work together on the next stage in becoming the undisputed market leader. Mike has transformed the levels of service and communication at HBG US Distribution in the past year, and I have no doubt that he will excel equally in his new role of CEO."

Shoults said, "I am deeply honored by the trust that David and Matt have placed in me to lead as CEO. I must recognize my outstanding team, whose talent, passion, and seamless partnership have driven our success. Together, we have built a culture of true care and results that our clients rely on every day. As we step into this next chapter, I'm energized to accelerate our momentum, deepen client partnerships, and unlock new levels of impact for everyone we serve to discover a new world of ideas, learning, entertainment and opportunity."

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Tattooed Tree Books is getting ready to open a bricks-and-mortar location in Fort Atkinson, Wis., this spring, the Daily Jefferson County Union reported.

Tattooed Tree Books's future home

Store owner Dena Tullis has found a space for Tattooed Tree Books, which she first launched as a pop-up, at 112 N. Main St. in downtown Fort Atkinson. Tattooed Tree Books will sell new and used titles for all ages and share the space with Chroma Art Studio. 

Tullis found the space in December 2025, and while it was great in many ways, it was significantly larger than what she needed. After the building's landlord agreed to Tullis sharing the space with someone else, she reached out to Chroma Art Studio owner Jessie Turner. The pair met while taking part in a storefront competition put on by the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Community Foundation last year, and Tullis knew Turner was still looking for a space.

"I just laid it all at her feet and said, 'This is what I found. This is the dream. I've got extra space. What would you think about joining me in here?' And that's that," Tullis told the Daily Jefferson County Union. "This opportunity just kind of fell in our lap."

In early January, Tullis launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise the last of the money needed to secure a business loan. The campaign had a goal of $12,500 and raised more than $13,300. The money will go toward bookshelves and fixtures, opening inventory, and a POS system.

Tullis plans to give a more precise opening date in the weeks to come. According to the Daily Union, Tattooed Tree Books will be the first bookstore to open in Fort Atkinson since the Velveteen Rabbit Bookstore closed in 2016.

Des pair books, which was opened by Addison Richley in 2021 in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., will close its physical storefront this spring, but continue to sell books online and work on "library curatorial projects."
 
After its launch, des pair books was described by Vanity Fair as feeling "like an actual store with a point of view. Most days, you will find Richley behind the counter, her dog Maude lounging beside her, happy to recommend a title; Violette Leduc's La Bâtarde and Michel Houellebecq's Serotonin are her current favorites."

In a social media post this week, Richley wrote: "After 5 years in Echo Park (plus 2 in West Hollywood!), des pair books will close its doors at the end of March to focus on client-based library curatorial projects. We will also continue online with a selection of rare, out-of-print titles and des pair merchandise. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I'm excited for this next iteration of des pair."

Betsey Detwiler, founder of Buttonwood Books and Toys, Cohasset, Mass., died February 27. She was 91. Detwiler launched Buttonwood in 1989 with her daughter-in-law, Kathy Detwiler, who purchased the store when Betsey Detwiler retired in 2013. 

Betsey Detwiler

"With a background as a teacher and mother of five sons, Betsey had a natural gift for running a bookstore and a passion for placing just the right book into a reader's hands," a post on the bookshop's Facebook page noted. "Through many changes in the publishing world--from store relocations to the rise of chain stores, e-readers, and online competitors--Betsey's dedication and creativity helped Buttonwood thrive....

"Betsey especially loved connecting readers with authors, including many cherished local writers. Thanks to her leadership, Buttonwood became a pillar of the community, serving schools, families, and loyal customers for generations. A lifelong reader, Betsey continued sharing book recommendations with staff until her final days.... Betsey's legacy will live on in the stories she loved, the community she built, and the readers she inspired."

Her obituary highlighted Detwiler's commitment to social causes and the community she lived in. As a strong proponent of equal rights for women, she was local president of the League of Women Voters. As an advocate for the developmentally disabled, she spent years developing tailored curricula and teaching many students at Hingham South Elementary School. She also donated generously to those causes, and in 1989 was celebrated by Road to Responsibility--an organization supporting the needs of developmentally disabled adults--as its Woman of the Year.

White Birch Books, North Conway, N.H., hosted an event at the Pope Memorial Library for Dan Simon, founder and editor-in-chief of Seven Stories Press, whose debut novel, Ashland, was published by Europa Editions, and is set in Ashland, N.H. Simon was in conversation with Shannon Bowring, author of In a Distant Valley, the last title in her Dalton trilogy, published by Europa Editions last fall. Bowring's trilogy is set in the fictional town of Dalton, Maine, inspired by the town she grew up in, Ashland, Maine--a town that, as the authors showed, shares many similarities with Ashland, N.H.

2 Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton, Mich., hosted its fifth annual 48-hour Read-a-thon last weekend. From 5 p.m. Friday, March 6, until 5 p.m. Sunday, March 8, the bookstore had two volunteers sitting in chairs facing Main Street and silently reading their books. The event was originally 24 hours of reading, but grew to 36, and now to 48.

This year 2 Dandelions Bookshop added a fundraising component with a suggested $10 donation per person for the Livingston County Literacy Coalition. A neighboring business, Captain's on Main, hand-delivered drink orders during their business hours to any read-a-thon participants who ordered them.

"It's really been an exciting, community event. The sign up to participate was full in a matter of hours," the bookstore noted. 

When it was over, 2 Dandelions posted photos, noting: "And that's a wrap! Both chairs stayed occupied with readers for the entire 48 hours.... A massive thank you to all who volunteered as well as to all who donated to the Livingston County Literacy Coalition! This was a super way to officially kick off reading month! Please tag any friends you see in these pics--everyone here deserves recognition for their participation!"

Ingram's Publishers Group West has added four new publishers for distribution:

Silver Sprocket, an indie comics publisher known for its artist-driven graphic novels, zines, and underground creative culture. (Effective February 1, in the U.S. and Canada.)

Messy Press, which publishes playful, imaginative, and delightful children's books. (Effective April 1, in the U.S. and Canada.)

Trouser Press Books, which has deep roots in music journalism and cultural criticism. Its titles explore the history, influence, and evolution of alternative and independent music scenes. (Effective April 1, globally excluding Australia and New Zealand.)

Thornapple Press, which publishes nonfiction books that discuss relationships, love, sexuality, and relational ethics from unusual and underrepresented perspectives. (Effective April 1, globally excluding Canada.)

At Running Press and Avalon Travel:

Shannon Fabricant is promoted to vp/publisher of Running Press.

Annie Brag is promoted to senior publicist at Running Press.

Brittney McKinley is promoted to marketing associate at Avalon Travel.

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At Little, Brown Books for Young Readers:

Stefanie Hoffman has been promoted to associate director of marketing. She was most recently senior marketing manager.

Margaret Hansen has been promoted to marketing associate, school & library marketing. She was most recently senior marketing coordinator.

Melanie Rapoport has been promoted to publicist. She was most recently associate publicist.

Downfall (Above the Black #3) by Marc J Gregson (Peachtree Teen).

Today:
All Things Considered: Sarvat Hasin, author of Strange Girls: A Novel (Dutton, $29, 9798217179527).

Fresh Air: Jamilah Lemieux, author of Black. Single. Mother.: Real Life Tales of Longing and Belonging (Roc Lit 101, $32, 9780593447543).

Tomorrow:
Today: Jenn Lueke, author of Don't Think About Dinner: Save Time and Money with 125+ Easy, Nourishing, Delicious Recipes for Every Meal (Morrow Cookbooks, $35, 9780063425798). 

The View: Valerie Bertinelli, author of Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect (Harper Wave, $29.99, 9780063429086).

Tamron Hall: Amy Smilovic, author of Almost Reckless: A Creative and Pragmatic Approach to Taking Risks (Portfolio, $35, 9780593854792).

Sherri Shepherd Show: Jayne Kennedy, author of Almost Reckless: A Creative and Pragmatic Approach to Taking Risks (Portfolio, $35, 9780593854792).

Apple TV has released the trailer for Margo's Got Money Troubles, based on Rufi Thorpe's bestselling novel. Hailing from A24 and David E. Kelley, the eight-episode Apple Original series stars and is executive produced by Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. 

The ensemble cast includes Nick Offerman, Thaddea Graham, Marcia Gay Harden, Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty, and Lindsey Normington. The series premieres globally on Wednesday, April 15, with three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 20.

Margo's Got Money Troubles "is a bold, heartwarming, and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress (Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Offerman), as she's forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them," Apple TV noted. 
 
The series is produced for Apple TV by A24. Kelley serves as showrunner and writer and executive producer alongside Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, and Brittany Kahan Ward for Lewellen Pictures; Kidman and Per Saari of Blossom Films; and Matthew Tinker for David E. Kelley Productions. Pfeiffer, Thorpe, Eva Anderson, and Boo Killebrew also exec produce. Dearbhla Walsh directs the pilot and serves as an executive producer. Additional directors include Kate Herron and Alice Seabright.

Endling by Maria Reva won the £10,000 (about $13,415) Gordon Burn Prize, which honors "exceptional writing which has an unconventional perspective, style or subject matter and often defies easy categorization."

Chair of judges Val McDermid said: "We've had an astonishing range of books--fiction and non-fiction--and I've encountered writers whose work I hadn't previously discovered, as well as those who have previously given me great pleasure. My fellow judges have made the process itself part of the pleasure, sharing their honest critical views and their enthusiasm. And in the end, our winner is one that I believe Gordon himself would have enjoyed."

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The longlist has been selected for the 2026 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, "the largest English-language literary prize for women and non-binary writers in the world." The winner receives $150,000 and the four finalists receive $12,500 each. The shortlist will be announced April 21 and the winner June 2.

The longlist:
The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole (Tin House)
Sea, Poison by Caren Beilin (New Directions)
milktooth by Jaime Burnet (Vagrant Press)
Suddenly Light by Nina Dunic (Invisible Publishing)
Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards (Spiegel & Grau)
Hellions by Julia Elliott (Tin House)
Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma (Atlantic Monthly Press)
The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes (One World)
Audition by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books)
Cannon by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
Wild Life by Amanda Leduc (Random House Canada)
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar (McClelland & Stewart, Canada; Knopf, U.S.)
The Morgue Keeper by Ruyan Meng (7.13 Books)
The Sea Gives Up the Dead by Molly Olguín (Red Hen Press)
Lion by Sonya Walger (New York Review Books)

Steven J. Ross (Hitler in Los Angeles), a distinguished professor of history at the University of Southern California, couldn't be more timely in charting the evolution of organized bigotry and fascism in the United States from the end of the Second World War up to the uncomfortable present day.

The Secret War Against Hate is a reminder that the forces of antisemitism and white supremacy were not defeated along with the Axis powers at the end of World War II in 1945. Ross's words vibrate with a visceral urgency, shattering the myth of postwar domestic tranquility and providing a necessary roadmap for anyone seeking to understand the resurgence of those virulent ideologies. The book provides a brilliant complement to recent popular histories like Rachel Maddow's Prequel or other works from the canon of American extremism studies, shifting the lens away from the theoretical toward the activists and spies who fought this "secret war."

Ross's work is utterly immersive in its sweeping, decades-long tracing of how some Americans have resisted the contagion of hate. He begins with the postwar surge in extremism, introducing readers to figures such as Emory Burke and the neo-fascist "Columbians" in Georgia, who aimed to establish a Nazi-style order on American soil. As the narrative moves into the 1950s and '60s, Ross describes the rise of the American Nazi Party under George Lincoln Rockwell, illustrating how hate groups capitalized on the anxieties of the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement.

For every villain, Ross celebrates a corresponding little-known hero or group, with leaders including Arnold Forster and George Mintzer, who understood that law enforcement was too preoccupied with "reds" to notice "Nazis." Ross demonstrates how the tactics of these early resistance networks--the use of surveillance, financial disruption, and public exposure--formed a blueprint for modern anti-hate advocacy. The narrative also champions the clandestine efforts of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee to infiltrate and dismantle these cells from within.

Ross concludes by bringing the secret war into the present day, leaving readers with a message that is as empowering as it is sobering: democracy is not a self-sustaining experiment. He warns that the tactics of hate have evolved--moving from smoke-filled meeting halls to encrypted digital forums--but the fundamental psychology remains the same. This book is a crucial read for historians, policy makers, and civil rights activists, but it is equally vital for any citizen concerned with polarized politics and civic abuses. Ross provides the historical literacy necessary to recognize old threats in new disguises, making The Secret War Against Hate an indispensable manual for safeguarding the future by understanding threats from the past. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.

Shelf Talker: The Secret War Against Hate provides an essential narrative that shows how unending the struggle against extremism must be to safeguard democracy.

The bestselling self-published books last week as compiled by IndieReader.com:

1. Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe
2. The Lion Beneath the Fade by Sebastian Bastian
3. The 7 Universal Laws by Monica Ion
4. Chaotic by Shantel Tessier
5. The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
6. Insatiable by Leigh Rivers
7. Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles
8. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
9. The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinneman
10. The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinneman

[Many thanks to IndieReader.com!]