Chronicle' Resurrects Book Reviewing, (surely Red Roomers played a role). Oscar Villalon is out, John McMurtrie new editor.
Chronicle' Resurrects Book Reviewing, (surely Red Roomers played a role). Oscar Villalon is out, John McMurtrie new editor.
By Steven Zeitchik--Publishers Weekly, 10/8/08
The San Francisco Chronicle has reversed its decisions made this spring to shorten its book review section and to fold it into the newspaper (News, June 4). It has lengthened the section and began publishing it as a stand-alone again on October 7.
Unlike the book review's former incarnation, this one will take the form of a broadsheet. Its six pages will roughly translate into the 12 tabloid pages the section contained before it was absorbed into the paper.
Book review editor Oscar Villalon said the decision had little to do with economics and a lot to do with readers. "Enough people complained that they [newspaper executives] felt they had to change it," he said. Indeed, it's hard to imagine new economic incentive. So far, it's the only book review section to recant its recent promise for austerity.
By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 10/16/2008 2:16:00 PM
In the wake of longtime San Francisco Chronicle book review editor Oscar Villalon’s exit from the paper, John McMurtrie has taken over the Sunday Books section. He will also handle the book reviews that run in the paper’s daily Datebook. McMurtrie started in his new position this week.
He has been at the Chronicle since 1999, when he was hired as a copy editor for the news department. In 2002, he moved to features and became one of the department's slot editors. In his previous role, McMurtrie edited book reviews, wrote reviews and contributed book-related stories to the paper.
Villalon took a buyout in August, as did deputy book editor Regan McMahon.
To make the Chronicle's "reborn" book review section a success.
How might the Red Room help this fortunate turn of events at the Chronicle...so that it will prove long-lasting? We might help to lionize John McMurtrie and thus generate more interest in this book review? Surely, the stellar authors in Red Room might acknowledge him when they come to town, as well as frequently describe this Chronicle section with superlatives.
Wouldn't public interest aggrandize if the review site were specifically and loudly lauded by the likes of Salman Rushdie, Amy Tan, Maya Angelou, Dennis Shay, James Patterson, Jon Stewart, etc---international celebrites all, yet readily approachably within our fold.
Actual human contact?
Hey, another afterthought. Maybe Ivory or Huntington or another of the hierarchy gang could call the Chronicle and congratulate McMurtrie in person. With a pledge of RR support, it would establish an early liaison.
Supporting the Chronicle Books section
Ya wanna support the Chronicle Books section? Read it; if you know people who buy advertising, tell them to buy advertising in the section; and send email to wbushee@sfchronicle.com and tell Ward Bushee that you really like the Books section and thank him for keeping it. Bushee is the executive editor.
Or even send actual snail mail.
You could also try to encourage the San Jose Mercury News to revive its skeletal Books section by writing to Editor David J. Butler, whose email addess MIGHT be dbutler@mercurynews.com. I couldn't find it on the Merc's web site.
Books sections are actually popular with quite a few readers, although they don't tend to draw advertising money.