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| Nicholas Latimer | |
Nicholas Latimer, v-p and senior director of publicity at Knopf, has accepted the VSO package after 40 years with the company. His last day in the office will be December 15. In a letter announcing the move, Reagan Arthur, Knopf executive v-p, publisher wrote: "When Nicholas started in 1983, Bob Gottlieb was the head of house, our founder, Alfred Knopf, was still with us, and Sonny Mehta wouldn't arrive for another four years. At that time, there were two separate departments publicizing our books--one dedicated exclusively to garnering reviews, the other devoted to arranging author interviews. When those two departments eventually merged, Nicholas continued to focus primarily on orchestrating reviews, acting as our ambassador to the entire book review community. He has tirelessly secured review coverage every season, working behind the scenes to cajole editors and critics into reviewing books they might not otherwise cover, and ensuring that Knopf books remain among the most reviewed across the industry, year after year."
In addition to his review work, 20 years ago Nicholas created a monthly e-mail to highlight Knopf's forthcoming books that currently goes to more than 1,200 producers, columnists, critics, and book review editors around the country. When Covid hit, the e-mail newsletter allowed the department to pivot quickly, with Latimer creating a weekly version to supplement book mailings. Latimer has also been "the unseen impresario" behind Knopf's milestones, memorials, and major events. He helped conceive and launch the Knopf Poem-a-Day program, and was the principal organizer and scorekeeper for award submissions. In 1993, Latimer phoned Toni Morrison at home to tell her that she had won the Nobel Prize.
Washington Post book critic Ron Charles said: "No, no, no, no, no! Aside from the reports of outrageous book bans around the country, this is the worst publishing news I've heard in ages. Twenty-five years ago, Nicholas was the first person in the industry to provide some kind guidance to a green book critic who thought a 'galley' was a small kitchen. I quickly realized that he was not just the nicest publicist, he was the best. He knows his books. He knows my audience. He even knows me! (Now that he's leaving Knopf, perhaps it's safe to reveal that he would sometimes whisper over the phone, 'Ron, you can skip this one.') His famous blend of dedication, hard work, brilliance, and trustworthiness has set the gold standard for the industry. It'll never be the same around here without him, but God knows the man deserves to finally read whatever the hell he wants."
Stuart Applebaum, emeritus executive v-p, corporate communications, PRH, commented: "In a Penguin Random House blessed with a multitude of exceptionally skilled and caring publicists and public relations and communications executives, Mr. Latimer is sui generis. A thoughtful publishing strategist and media tactician, and a compelling copy writer, he has lovingly brought many decades of Knopf books and authors to the attention of millions of readers, eschewing credit he properly bestowed on their editors, marketers, and publishers. Several generations of us have benefitted, and learned, from his experience, generosity, and humility. I am just one of many in our community who will envy his future collaborators."