Penguin Young Readers is launching an imprint called Rocky Pond Books, which will be headed by Lauri Hornik, longtime publisher of Dial Books for Young Readers. The imprint will publish books for ages two through teen, both fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on mental health and social-emotional learning and feature debut authors and illustrators. The inaugural list will publish in spring 2023. Jen Klonsky, president and publisher, Putnam and Razorbill, has assumed leadership of Dial Books for Young Readers.
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| Lauri Hornik | |
Hornik joined Penguin in 1999 as the editorial director of Dial and was named publisher of Dial Books for Young Readers in 2005. She is the editor of a range of titles, including Counting by Sevens by Holly Goldberg Sloan, The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder, and the Ordinary People Change the World series, written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos.
Hornik said, "It has become more and more important to me to provide books that offer comfort and support. That comfort might be through a belly laugh or a gorgeous, genuine expression of what it means to be human, or seeing yourself and your culture depicted on the page. That support might be through a picture book that sparks empathy, or an inspiring nonfiction read about a hero or important moment in history. And above all, I am committed to publishing mental health content--books that start conversations, that provide a step toward healing, and that show readers they aren't alone. I'm so excited to now be dedicating myself full-time to editing, and thus bringing more of these much-needed books to kids and teens."
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| Jen Klonsky | |
Jen Klonsky joined Penguin Young Readers in 2018 as the publisher of Putnam, and assumed leadership of Razorbill later that year. She has published books by authors such as Sabaa Tahir, Renee Ahdieh, Ayana Gray, Jessica Goodman, Melissa de la Cruz, Krystal Sutherland, Stacey Lee, Katherine Arden, Matt de la Pena, Christian Robinson, Yuko Shimizu, Jan Brett, and others. Before joining Penguin, Klonsky was editorial director at HarperCollins Children's Books.
Klonsky said, "I have had a front row seat in the admiration section watching Lauri Hornik and the Dial team for the last four years. I know them to be a passionate group with a list that is intentional, innovative, and fun, and I can't wait to join them. Following Lauri will not be easy, but working alongside Nancy Mercado and Lily Malcom--experts in all they do and in the Dial business--will make it possible."
Jen Loja, president, Penguin Young Readers, said that Hornik having her own imprint is "the perfect next step in her already long and lauded career. She has brought so many of our favorite voices to the world in her time at Dial Books for Young Readers, and I can't wait to see her add more wonderful creators to her existing list of trusted authors and illustrators. And I am delighted that the team at Dial will continue to thrive under the new leadership of Jen Klonsky. Jen has made such an impact here at Penguin as publisher of Putnam and Razorbill. Her vision for both list building and career growth (for her team and for our creators) is key to our continued growth. Under her guidance, Dial's incredible team of editors and designers will continue to publish acclaimed, award-winning and bestselling books that support Dial's mission and continue its legacy of excellence in the young readers space."