Authors Guild Brings on Paul Morris as VP of Programming & Outreach

NEW YORK, NY, November 16, 2016 — The Authors Guild announced today it has hired Paul W. Morris to serve as VP of Programming & Outreach. This newly-created position will reinforce the Guild’s efforts to develop and serve an engaged membership base that reflects today’s vibrant and diverse literary community.

Morris, a literary advocate with two decades of experience in arts administration, comes to the Guild from PEN America, where he worked most recently as Director of Literary Programs. He serves on a number of literary boards and committees, and previously worked as General Manager at BOMB Magazine. He began his career as an Associate Editor at Viking Penguin in New York City.

“As the litigations that largely determined the organization’s direction over the last decade have come to an end, we at the Guild, have been able to refocus our attention on supporting authors in their day-to-day professional lives,” said Mary Rasenberger, Executive Director of the Guild. “There are many, many writers today, ranging from the seasoned author who has been making a living writing for decades to the brand new writer trying to get published, who are mystified by the twenty-first century publishing industry. The Authors Guild, with its 100+ years advising working authors on the daily challenges of the book business, will be doing more in the coming years to make sure these writers are educated about the business aspects of the literary life.” She continued, “Paul brings to the table a proven track record of community building and public programming that will expand the dialogue about authors’ place in today’s publishing ecosystem.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Authors Guild at this exciting moment of growth for the organization,” said Morris. “With its long history of serving U.S.-published writers, the Guild has positioned itself to be on the front lines of an increasingly important and relevant conversation about literary advocacy. I’m looking forward to helping build greater awareness of the Guild’s mission and to fostering a robust community of writers and publishers with dynamic programming that speaks directly to the needs of authors and their work.”

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