In a set of strategic changes in Holiday House and Peachtree’s publishing programs, Mary Cash—formerly VP and editor in chief of Holiday House—has been promoted to VP, associate publisher, Holiday House and Peachtree Publishing. The plan was announced by Andrew Smith, senior VP and publisher of Candlewick Press, Holiday House, and Peachtree. Smith has held the position as of April, overseeing Walker Books Group’s three U.S. children’s publishing divisions.
As part of the transition, Peachtree’s associate publisher, Kathy Landwehr, will begin her planned retirement on September 1, following 35 years with the company. Landwehr joined Peachtree as a publicist in 1990 and two years later was promoted to marketing and publicity director. In 1995, she transitioned to the role of editorial director, overseeing editorial, design, and production, and in 1999 she was named associate publisher. Among the titles that Landwehr has acquired and edited during her tenure are the King & Kayla books by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Nancy Meyers, two of which received Geisel Honors; the Caldecott Honor book Going Down with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter; and Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya, illustrated by Kara Kramer, which was named an Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Book.
In her new role, Cash will help to guide the editorial scope of both Holiday House and Peachtree. Sally Morgridge, who was formally executive editor at Holiday House, has been promoted to editorial director. She will lead the publisher’s editorial department, reporting to Cash.
Peachtree’s senior editors, Ashley Hearn and Jonah Heller, will now report to Cash, with Hearn leading Peachtree Teen, the publisher’s YA imprint, which launched its debut list in summer 2022 under the direction of Landwehr. Hearn joined Peachtree in 2020 from Page Street Publishing. Assistant editor Kade Dishmon is moving over from Holiday House to work under Hearn as part of the Peachtree Teen team, while also acquiring for other categories. Heller, who has been with Peachtree since 2017, will spearhead the publisher’s children’s list, while also continuing to contribute to its YA titles.
Landwehr told PW, “I’ve had a long and satisfying career at Peachtree, during which I’ve had the privilege of working with a host of talented colleagues, authors, and illustrators. It’s gratifying to see what they’ve been able to achieve and I’m looking forward to watching what’s to come.”
Smith said in a statement, “I want to extend our deep thanks to Kathy for her immeasurable contributions and leadership of the Peachtree Publishing program. In addition to her outstanding management skills and overall business acumen, Kathy has acquired and edited many amazing titles that have had a tremendous and lasting impact on readers.”
Cash said in a statement, “I feel lucky to be able to work with the talented editors and designers at Peachtree in Atlanta, as well as our wonderful team at Holiday House. I think it’s a huge advantage to have an office outside of the publishing hub of New York that can take advantage of their unique, local resources and help us understand the tenor of the whole of the country.” She added, “I see Peachtree and Holiday House maintaining their separate identities but working in tandem to work to our strengths and try new things. I’m looking forward to working with Andrew to implement strategic plans that are still in development, but which we know will include expanding in the areas of YA, graphic novels, and much more.”
Holiday House and Peachtree, along with Candlewick Press and Pixel + Ink, are owned by the private equity firm Trustbridge Global Media. As of February 2024, the publishers have integrated their North American sales and marketing.
