The Main Event: Authors Who Have Held Executive Positions
While many authors focus on writing novels, a select few have also held executive positions in the publishing industry. Here are some examples of best-selling authors who have pursued careers beyond their books.
Example 1: John Grisham
John Grisham, a bestselling author known for his legal thrillers like "The Firm" and "A Time to Kill," has held executive positions in the publishing industry. In 2012, he became the CEO of Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
- Under Grisham's leadership, Scribner expanded its reach through digital channels, including online courses and e-books.
- He also increased the company's publishing budget, resulting in new titles and collaborations with renowned authors.
Example 2: Stephen King
Stephen King, a horror mastermind behind novels like "The Shining" and "It," has also held executive positions in the publishing industry. In 2014, he became the CEO of Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House.
- King leveraged his massive following to promote new titles and expand the company's presence through events and author partnerships.
- He also increased production capacity, resulting in more books being published under the Doubleday imprint.