Very sad news: Paul Kozlowski, much beloved bookman, birdman and jazzman, better known as P.K., died suddenly on Wednesday at Hoboken University Medical Center, Hoboken, N.J. He was 60.
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| At Booktopia last year, booksellers Rick Simonson and Chuck Robinson show how much the book world loved P.K. (right) | |
Paul had a 35-year career in the book industry, starting as a bookseller at Doubleday Bookshops and Barnes & Noble. He also worked at Penguin and then Random House, beginning in 1996, where he was most recently v-p, director, sales marketing. In 2010, he joined Other Press as director of marketing and sales, a position he left last month.
Paul was a dear friend to many of us at Shelf Awareness and a major supporter of independent booksellers. We always enjoyed talking with him, most recently at BEA, where he was his usual smart, drily amusing, self-deprecating self. We're as shocked as we're saddened by the news, and our hearts go out to his wife, Jill Tardiff.
Random House said: "We are shocked and sorrowful over Paul's death. He was a colleague of true distinction who cared as deeply about his accounts as he did the books he loved to sell them."
Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books, Coral Gables, Fla., said: "I'm devastated by the news of Paul's passing. He was always there with a ready smile and an encouraging word. My deepest sympathy is for his family, although I know everyone who knew him will miss him dearly."
Carl Lennertz of World Book Night U.S. wrote: "I've known Paul Kozlowski since Fifth Avenue Doubleday Bookshop days, and loved him ever since. Erudite, down-to-earth, smart and real. A book person. Which is the highest compliment I know. P.K.: friend to all and a book person."
Anne-Lise Spitzer, v-p, creative marketing director, Knopf, Pantheon and Schocken Books, said, "He was among the smartest readers I have ever been privileged to know. I don't think anyone was better at articulating the merits of a great book. His passion for the good ones was unmatched. And it was infectious. We will all miss his enormous spirit and forever treasure his friendship."
Shelf Awareness publisher Jenn Risko recalled: "Sometimes, you can learn all you need to know about people the first time you meet them. Twenty years ago, I was a brand-new, very nervous rep calling on Barnes & Noble for the first time. In between appointments in the B&N waiting room, I listened and watched an exuberant silver-haired man go through about 10 phone calls in a half hour. With every one, I could imagine people scurrying about to get whatever he requested done. He did it in such a fun, smart and kind way that I suddenly found myself wanting to get something done for him. He got off the phone. I must have been staring at him. He noticed me, walked across the room and introduced himself, "I'm Paul Kozlowski with Penguin. You're new here." He glanced at my papers, and said, "You should be sure to include subject codes on the title information sheets. But you're gonna do great, kiddo. I can tell." Then, that huge P.K. smile. Over the years, and as the Shelf grew, I was lucky to receive his advice and guidance and honored to become a trusted friend. Brilliant in both mind and spirit, may we all have this singular man's voice in our heads, nudging us to his level of excellence."
Viewing will take place this Sunday, June 29, 2-6 p.m., with a brief prayer service at 5:30 p.m., at Failla Memorial Home, 533 Willow Avenue (corner of 6th Street; valet parking available) in Hoboken, N.J. Failla's phone is 201-659-0082.
In lieu of flowers, the Tardiff and Kozlowski families request that donations (or contributions) be made to WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM in the memory of Paul E. Kozlowski.