Shake-up at Penguin

A tipster just informed me that the Dutton/Gotham publicity department is being shifted around. Apparently, Gotham Books and Avery are merging under publisher Bill Shinker, and Lisa Johnson will head the publicity and marketing departments for both. Head of Dutton publicity and marketing will be Christine Aronson, joining the Penguin team from Crown.

No word yet on how the rest of the publicity/marketing team will be split. But perhaps this will finally slow down that ever-spinning revolving door?

--Slunchie

Penguin wants to help you get laid

OMG, Penguin is getting into the matchmaking biz. Apparently, publishing horrific books on how to find a man isn't enough...now, the publishing house is trying to directly hook you up with a book-reading mate via a new partnership with Match.com. I'm tempted to sign up and start a weekly series on here detailing how well it works...to bad there's no slunch expense account. On the plus side, you can sign up for free! However, to contact anyone ya gotta pay. Suck. Don't they know that us "book-lovers" don't make any money?

--Paige Sexie

ps. Speaking of penguin romance, I hear congratulations may be in order soon for a clandestine couple over at 375 Hudson. More to come on that...