Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books Group is creating an imprint, 13A, dedicated to publishing "renowned, relevant, Black voices in culture and politics." 13A will be headed by Charles M. Suitt, who Jennifer Bergstrom, senior v-p and publisher of Gallery Books Group, described as "a born book publisher--he has great taste, great connections, and great enthusiasm. We are delighted to have him back at Simon & Schuster."
13A, which refers to the constitutional amendment that abolished slavery, will begin releasing books in July with a revised edition of Patti LaBelle's cookbook LaBelle Cuisine. Next year it will begin publishing original works, including a book of autobiographical essays by ESPN on-air personality Stephen A. Smith; a cookbook from chef Aisha "Pinky" Cole (aka the Slutty Vegan); and a memoir by former basketball star Allen Iverson.
Suitt called 13A "a home for authors who have achieved success in multiple arenas, often preceded by a journey on the road less traveled. Our list is populated by books with stories that matter, that are meant to inspire, and I hope, encourage readers to aspire to follow their dreams."
Suitt has had a career in entertainment and producing. Among other ventures, he has been an executive at Universal, founded Foundry Media Group, co-founded Patti's Good Life Inc. (which specializes in Patti Labelle's sweet potato pie) and is a principal of Maduro Venture Partners.
In 2008, Charles partnered with Simon & Schuster to co-found Karen Hunter Publishing. Its bestsellers included Janet Jackson's True You; Patti LaBelle's Recipes for the Good Life; Congressman Keith Ellison's My Country, Tis of Thee; Kris Jenner's Kris Jenner... and All Things Kardashian; and E. Lynn Harris's Mama Dearest.