Speaking of jaw-dropping news, Ben Sevier is leaving St. Martin’s to join Simon & Schuster, as a senior editor at Touchstone/Fireside. His last day in the office will be November 8. Since starting at St. Martin's in 2000 and moving up the ranks from being Kelley Ragland's assistant to acquiring authors in his own right, Sevier has edited many of the mystery field's top names, including Ken Bruen, Dan Judson, Marcus Sakey, Louise Penny, Robert Ellis, J.D. Rhoades, Steve Hockensmith, Joan Druette, Jason Starr, Mitchell Bartoy, David Housewright, Steven Sidor and Ben Rehder. He also has edited Paul Neilan, Dan Elish, Alexandra Sokoloff, Robert Gregory Browne, Daniel Buckman, and Bill Engvall for St. Martin's.
No doubt Ben will kick some serious ass at Touchstone/Fireside (which is only starting to build up its crime & thriller list) but he'll definitely be missed at SMP.
He will indeed be missed--working with him has been a consistent pleasure. Wishing him nothing but the best at his new gig.
Posted by: Marcus Sakey | October 31, 2006 at 07:03 PM
Ditto what Marcus said. Ben's the tops. In fact, my jaw didn't really drop when I got the news, since I've been half-expecting this for a while now. The dude's definitely going places.
-Steve
Posted by: Steve Hockensmith | October 31, 2006 at 07:28 PM
Yes, Ben will definitely be missed. The year or so we've spent working together has been a great one. I wish him the best of luck at Simon & Schuster.
Posted by: Rob Gregory Browne | October 31, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Ben's a class act. I'm sure going to miss working with him, but he's a damn fine editor and a good guy. He deserves all the success in the world.
Bon Voyage, Ben. See you 'round the playground.
Heh...and Sarah, thanks for including me in the "top names."
Posted by: JDRhoades | October 31, 2006 at 10:20 PM
I wonder if he is still planning on attending the 23rd Annual SDSU Writers' Conference will be held on January 26-28, 2007.
Posted by: Steve Clackson | October 31, 2006 at 11:59 PM
Devastating news for all who work with him at SMP... but Ben deserves all the best in the world. He's not just highly respected - he's much loved.
Alex
Posted by: Alexandra Sokoloff | November 01, 2006 at 09:43 AM
The title of my guidebook is called GIRLS WITH NON-FRENCH ACCENTS: ALGECIRAS TO ZIHUATANEJO. The guidebook has reviews of Discothèques in Spain, 24-Hour Taco stands in Mexico and the women of Portugal. If you ever wanted to drop out of life for two weeks or two years and go traveling the world for new experiences and friends who lead inspiring lives, this is your portal to the other side.
Posted by: Brian Ward | December 16, 2006 at 11:50 PM