We’ve just had news that Berkley Publishing Group’s Vice President and Editorial Director of Ace Books Susan Allison is putting down the red marker pen later this year. Since becoming editor-in-chief in 1982, and vice-president in 1985, Susan has edited work by many of the Fantasy-Faction community’s favourite authors. So, although we know she’s truly earned her retirement, we are veryy sad to see her go. Leslie Gelbman, President of Penguin Random House’s Berkley NAL Group, has issued the following announcement regarding the retirement of Susan and we think it is too lovely not to share:
With mixed emotions, I’m writing today to let you know that Susan Allison, our beloved colleague and a much-admired editor in the publishing world for more than 40 years, has decided to retire July 1, 2015.
As Vice President and Editorial Director of The Berkley Publishing Group, Susan has been a driving force behind Berkley’s success. Her calm, professional manner, her valuable editorial insights, and her willingness to help in all situations, have made her my highly trusted and respected partner for over twenty-five years.
Susan began her career as an editorial assistant for Ace, then moved to Pocket Books, before being hired back by Ace to run their science fiction program. An influential and trailblazing editor across genres, Susan’s reputation in the science fiction/fantasy world is legendary. In 1984 she published William Gibson’s first novel Neuromancer and Guy Gavriel Kay’s first novel The Summer Tree. Both authors are still edited by her—a testament to the close and productive relationships Susan creates with authors and agents. Susan broadened her editorial scope when she was named Vice President, Executive Editor of Berkley in 1993, and then Editorial Director in 2004. In addition to Gibson and Kay, her authors include #1 New York Times bestseller Laurell K. Hamilton and iconic southern novelist Lee Smith.
I’m incredibly proud of all that Susan and her editorial staff have accomplished for Berkley. Under Susan’s steady leadership, the Berkley team acquired and edited countless books that climbed to the top of bestseller lists, predicted and created new subgenres, achieved pop culture ubiquity, and entertained a wide array of readers around the world. She has been an invaluable colleague and friend to me and all those who have had the pleasure of working with her. I know I speak for all of us when I say she will be greatly missed.
Please join me in thanking Susan for her many contributions to publishing during her illustrious 33-year career at Penguin, and in wishing her a post-Berkley life filled with family, friends, and countless hours for pleasure reading.
Leslie
We at Fantasy-Faction would like to wish Susan a happy retirement. We are sure that she is looking forward to reading and enjoying novels of all kinds without feeling the need to attack them with a red pen! 🙂
Jennie Ivins
Richard Marpole