Bob Bender, v-p and executive editor of the Simon & Schuster trade imprint, is retiring from the company, effective April 30.
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In a letter announcing the retirement, S&S president & CEO Jonathan Karp wrote: "If the paragraph above seems unusually spare for such a significant event, please understand that I began this letter with a heartfelt, over-the-top superlative that was deleted by Bob, whose humility and editorial assiduousness are well known to those of us fortunate enough to have worked alongside him. For 43 years, Bob has served our authors with self-effacing dedication, vigilant attention to detail, wide-ranging knowledge and curiosity, equanimity, and discernment. Along the way, he has built one of the best lists of nonfiction authors throughout the publishing landscape."
Noting that Bender's editorial range "is legendary," Karp added: "When I arrived at Simon & Schuster, I knew of Bob's reputation as highly respected nonfiction editor, but Carolyn Reidy described him with more precision. 'Bob is the king of midlist nonfiction that sells,' she told me, putting extra emphasis on those last two words."
Bender began his career at S&S in 1981. Karp noted that for the past 14 years, as "an eyewitness to 43% of Simon & Schuster's history, Bob's acumen, erudition, and institutional memory cannot be replaced. I know, however, that he has been an inspiration to all of the editors and publishing professionals with whom he has come in contact, including me. Please join me in wishing Bob the happiest retirement imaginable. He has filled Simon & Schuster with shelves of books we will treasure, and editorial standards we will seek to emulate."