Brenda Knight has become publisher of Cleis Press and Viva Editions. She was formerly associate publisher of Viva Editions, which she founded. As part of the move, Felice Newman, who has been co-publisher and CFO of Cleis Press, will remain CFO. Frederique Delacoste, co-publisher and co-founder of Cleis with Newman, will remain president of Cleis Press and publisher of Midnight Editions.
"This is a new beginning for Cleis, a handing of the baton from two dedicated lifelong publishers to a talented and equally dedicated woman of exceptional integrity," Newman said.
Newman and Delacoste hired Knight in 2008. Earlier she worked at Conari Press and HarperCollins. She is also the author of Women of the Beat Generation, Wild Women and Books and other titles.
Newman and Delacoste attributed the company's health in large part to Knight, noting that as of May 1, Cleis Press sales are up 42.2% from last year and up 80% in sales of paper books. Delacoste said Viva Editions has been "blazing new trails in the gift market. Five years ago, we never thought we would have books in Costco, Walmart, Hallmark, Whole Foods or Target, and now we do."