Simon Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp stepping down.

Jonathan Karp, CEO of Simon & Schuster, is stepping down to lead a new imprint at the publisher. He announced Tuesday that he wants to focus on authors and editing. Karp became CEO in 2020, following Carolyn Reidy’s sudden death. His tenure included navigating the pandemic and a blocked sale to Penguin Random House. In 2023, Simon & Schuster was sold to KKR for $1.62 billion. Karp will launch Simon Six, publishing six books a year, similar to his previous imprint, Twelve. A search for his successor is underway, and he will remain as CEO until one is chosen.