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Jonathan Karp

Jonathan Karp is an editor and executive who served as and of from May 2020 until his announced transition in August 2025 to lead the company's new imprint, Simon Six. Karp began his career in 1989 as an editorial assistant at , advancing over sixteen years to editor-in-chief, where he acquired and edited bestsellers including by and by . In 2005, he founded the Twelve imprint at , serving as its publisher and editor-in-chief, and oversaw publications such as True Compass by Edward M. Kennedy and by . Joining in June 2010 as publisher of its flagship imprint, he later became and publisher of adult in 2018, during which time the company published notable works like by , What Happened by , by , and memoirs by and others, alongside launching Avid Reader Press and the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau. As CEO, Karp led the publisher through periods of growth and transformation, including its centennial in 2024, before opting to step down to focus on direct editorial work with authors via Simon Six, which will release six s annually emphasizing distinctive narratives. A graduate of with a BA and holding an MA from , Karp has also contributed writing to and authored a musical.

Early life and education

Formative years and academic background

Karp earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Civilization from Brown University in 1986. During his time at Brown, he contributed to The Brown Daily Herald, covering Ivy League football games, which provided early exposure to journalism and writing. Following graduation, he pursued graduate studies at , obtaining a degree in American Civilization. This academic emphasis on American history and culture aligned with his subsequent entry into book publishing in 1989 as an editorial assistant at .

Publishing career

Entry into publishing at Random House

Jonathan Karp entered the publishing industry in 1989 as an editorial assistant at Random House, responding to a classified advertisement in The New York Times. Prior to this, he had worked briefly as a local news reporter, but the editorial assistant position marked his formal start in book publishing. Assigned to assist Kate Medina, a prominent editor known for working with authors such as John le Carré, Karp gained foundational experience in manuscript evaluation, editing, and coordination with agents and authors. In his early years at , Karp supported the acquisition and development of and titles, building relationships with high-profile literary agents who funneled proposals through the house. This period laid the groundwork for his rapid advancement, as he transitioned from assistant duties to more substantive editorial responsibilities, contributing to the publisher's reputation for eclectic bestsellers. By the mid-1990s, he had risen to senior editor, though his tenure included a brief departure in 2000 to serve as head of the office for film producer , before returning to . Over the subsequent years leading to 2005, Karp's role expanded significantly, culminating in his appointment as editor-in-chief, during which he oversaw acquisitions like Seabiscuit by and The Orchid Thief by .

Founding of Twelve imprint

In 2005, Jonathan Karp departed from his role as executive editor at to establish the Twelve imprint under the , aiming to create a boutique operation focused on selective, high-impact publishing. The imprint's core philosophy emphasized publishing exactly twelve books per year—one per month—to allocate undivided marketing, editorial, and promotional resources to each title, contrasting with the high-volume output of larger houses. Karp, serving as publisher and , curated a list prioritizing narrative-driven nonfiction by prominent authors, including politicians, journalists, and public intellectuals, which facilitated rapid development from acquisition to release within the monthly cycle. This approach yielded early successes, such as Christopher Buckley's The Emperor of Ocean Park and Edward M. Kennedy's True Compass, both of which achieved status and critical acclaim, validating the model's emphasis on quality over quantity. Twelve's structure allowed Karp to maintain hands-on involvement in every stage, from manuscript selection to launch strategy, fostering a reputation for books that combined commercial viability with intellectual substance, particularly in political and biographical genres. By limiting output, the imprint avoided dilution of effort common in broader lists, enabling targeted publicity that propelled titles like those by public figures onto national bestseller lists.

Role at Simon & Schuster prior to CEO

Jonathan Karp joined Simon & Schuster in June 2010 as publisher of the company's flagship imprint, responsible for acquiring and editing a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction titles. In this capacity, he oversaw the publication of numerous commercial successes, including Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs (2011), Bruce Springsteen's memoir Born to Run (2016), Hillary Rodham Clinton's What Happened (2017), and Bob Woodward's Fear: Trump in the White House (2018). Other notable works under his direction included Susan Orlean's The Library Book (2018), John Irving's In One Person (2012), and David Blight's Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (2018), the latter of which won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for History. Karp also introduced books by emerging authors such as , , and Lisa Halliday, alongside titles from cultural figures including , , , and . His editorial approach emphasized eclectic selections spanning history, , politics, and , contributing to the imprint's reputation for high-profile releases. In 2018, Karp was promoted to president and publisher of 's adult publishing division, where he directed multiple trade imprints such as Atria Books and Scribner. He launched initiatives including the Avid Reader Press imprint and the Speakers Bureau, expanding the division's operational scope. Under his leadership, the division published politically charged bestsellers like John Bolton's (2020), Mary Trump's (2020), and Woodward's (2020), which together generated significant revenue amid heightened public interest in current events.

Leadership at Simon & Schuster

Ascension to CEO and operational oversight

Jonathan Karp was appointed president and of on May 28, 2020, effective immediately, following the sudden death of his predecessor, Carolyn Reidy, from a heart attack on May 12, 2020. At the time, 's parent company, ViacomCBS (later rebranded as ), selected Karp for the role due to his decade-long tenure at the publisher and his leadership of its adult publishing division. Prior to the promotion, Karp had served as president and publisher of Adult Publishing since 2010, overseeing imprints such as Atria Books, Scribner, and proper, where he had built a for editorial acumen and commercial successes. In his capacity as CEO, Karp assumed responsibility for directing all domestic and international publishing operations, including the coordination of the company's 17 distinct imprints and divisions that collectively produced over 2,000 titles annually. This oversight encompassed strategic decisions on acquisitions, editorial priorities, marketing, sales distribution, and digital initiatives, such as audiobooks and e-books, amid a publishing industry shifting toward diversified revenue streams beyond print sales. Karp reported directly to Paramount Global's leadership, navigating operational challenges like supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which had accelerated remote workflows and digital adaptations across the company's New York headquarters and global offices. Karp's operational leadership emphasized maintaining Simon & Schuster's independence as a mid-tier powerhouse, with annual revenues exceeding $800 million, while fostering a culture of editorial autonomy within imprints. He implemented efficiencies in distribution partnerships and expanded international rights sales, contributing to steady growth in key markets despite broader industry consolidations. His tenure concluded on August 26, 2025, when he announced plans to step down upon the selection of a successor, transitioning to oversee a new boutique imprint, Simon Six, focused on publishing six titles per year to prioritize hands-on editorial work. This five-year period as CEO marked a phase of stabilization and adaptation for Simon & Schuster following Reidy's abrupt departure.

Major business events and antitrust involvement

In November 2020, ViacomCBS (later Paramount Global) agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House, a division of Bertelsmann, for $2.175 billion in cash, a transaction that would have combined the two largest U.S. trade publishers by market share. The deal, announced on November 25, 2020, positioned Penguin Random House—which already controlled about 25% of the U.S. trade book market—to absorb Simon & Schuster's roughly 10% share, raising concerns over reduced competition in book acquisitions and advances. The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit on November 2, 2021, to block the merger, arguing it would diminish competition for the acquisition of anticipated top-selling books, harming authors through lower advances and fewer publishing options. The case proceeded to trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia starting August 1, 2022, with testifying on August 2 in defense of the merger. He contended that the DOJ's focus on "bestseller advances" was overly narrow, asserting the merger would enhance efficiency, global reach, and author opportunities without anticompetitive effects, as evidenced by competitive bidding dynamics across the industry. On October 31, 2022, U.S. District Judge ruled against the merger, finding that it was more likely than not to lessen in the narrowly defined of "anticipated and actual top-selling ," potentially reducing advances by $100–$200 million annually based on economic testimony. The parties terminated the agreement on November 21, 2022, with paying a $200 million reverse termination fee to . Following the blocked merger, Paramount placed Simon & Schuster up for sale, culminating in an agreement on August 7, 2023, to sell it to for $1.62 billion in cash, a price reflecting a from the original deal amid market conditions and regulatory fallout. The closed on October 30, 2023, transitioning to independent ownership under , with Karp retained as CEO to oversee operations and strategy. This sale preserved the company's autonomy but introduced oversight, emphasizing growth investments and employee equity participation as articulated by Karp.

Key publishing decisions and commercial successes

During his tenure as publisher of Simon & Schuster's flagship imprint beginning in June 2010, Jonathan Karp oversaw the acquisition and publication of several high-profile works that achieved significant commercial success. Walter Isaacson's authorized Steve Jobs, released on October 24, 2011, sold 379,000 copies in its first week in the United States, the largest debut for any book that year, and topped Amazon's of 2011. Bob Woodward's Fear: in the , published on September 11, 2018, set a company record as Simon & Schuster's fastest-selling book, moving over 1.1 million copies in its debut week and exceeding 2 million copies sold overall while debuting at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Other key titles under Karp's editorial leadership included Hillary Clinton's memoir What Happened (September 2017), which debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and David W. Blight's Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (October 2018), a comprehensive biography that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for History and also reached bestseller status. Additional successes encompassed Bruce Springsteen's autobiography Born to Run (September 2016) and Susan Orlean's investigative narrative The Library Book (October 2018), both of which generated strong sales through broad appeal to general readers. Upon ascending to and CEO in May 2020, Karp guided the of election-year titles capitalizing on heightened political discourse, such as Woodward's (September 2020), John Bolton's (June 2020), and Mary L. Trump's (July 2020), each debuting in the top ranks of lists and contributing substantially to revenue amid the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign. A notable operational decision was the establishment of the Avid Reader Press imprint in 2019, designed to prioritize narrative non-fiction and attract prominent authors, aligning with Karp's emphasis on selective, high-impact acquisitions. These efforts reflected a strategy of targeting authoritative voices in , , and , yielding consistent commercial returns despite industry challenges like the .

Stances on free speech and industry controversies

Defense against internal pressures to cancel contracts

In April 2021, faced significant internal opposition to its seven-figure book deal with former Vice President for his memoir, following the company's announcement of the contract. Over 200 employees and more than 3,500 external supporters, including authors, signed an protesting the decision, arguing that publishing Pence would generate revenue for figures linked to policies harming marginalized groups and demanding the cancellation of the deal along with severance of ties to Trump administration affiliates and conservative imprints like Post Hill Press. CEO Jonathan Karp responded in an April 20, 2021, letter to staff, affirming the 's commitment to honoring the contract and rejecting cancellation. He emphasized Simon & Schuster's mission to publish "a wide range of voices and viewpoints," stating, "We take pride in publishing a of voices and perspectives... But we come to work each day to , not , which is the most extreme decision a publisher can make, and one that runs counter to the very purpose of a ." Karp acknowledged employees' differing political beliefs and moral objections but argued that contractual obligations and the publisher's role in facilitating discourse outweighed internal dissent, noting that amplified opposing voices while supportive ones remained quieter. Karp extended this defense to related pressures, such as demands to end distribution agreements with , a conservative publisher whose titles included controversial works like a by the officer involved in the shooting. In the same letter and subsequent communications, he reiterated that such partnerships were bound by contracts and essential to the company's , refusing to yield despite protests that echoed broader concerns over ideological alignment. During a May 2021 town hall, Karp further justified proceeding with Pence's project—while distinguishing it from a hypothetical book, which he deemed unlikely due to issues—by conditioning deals on factual content and underscoring the publisher's duty to avoid . These incidents highlighted Karp's stance against what he described as an overreliance on cancellation as a response to controversy, positioning as a venue for ideological amid a workforce perceived as predominantly left-leaning. The Pence was ultimately published in 2022 without further internal derailment, though the episode fueled ongoing debates within the industry about balancing commercial commitments with employee activism.

Testimony and views on publishing diverse perspectives

In April 2021, following an from employees protesting a seven-figure deal for former U.S. Mike Pence's , CEO Jonathan Karp issued a company-wide memo defending the decision. Karp stated that the publisher's role in a polarized era requires it "to publish a diversity of voices and perspectives," emphasizing that canceling the contract would contradict this obligation and represent an extreme measure reserved only for rare ethical breaches. He argued that the deal, acquired through competitive bidding, aligned with commercial viability and the need to represent viewpoints held by millions of Americans, even if they clashed with prevailing sentiments among staff, who predominantly lean left politically. Karp reiterated this stance days earlier in response to internal objections over imprint Threshold Editions' distribution partnership with Post Hill Press, which publishes conservative titles. He affirmed that the company would not sever ties, as doing so would undermine its commitment to "a wide array of political viewpoints," and noted that such decisions stem from editorial and business judgments rather than ideological conformity. This position drew criticism from some employees and external commentators who viewed it as prioritizing profit over moral accountability, but Karp maintained that publishers must avoid to fulfill their societal function of disseminating ideas, warning that yielding to internal pressures risks eroding in the industry's . During the 2022 U.S. Department of Justice antitrust trial blocking Penguin Random House's acquisition of Simon & Schuster, Karp testified on broader industry dynamics but did not directly address viewpoint diversity; however, his pre-trial communications and public defenses underscored a consistent philosophy that competition among publishers fosters a marketplace of ideas, where consolidation could homogenize offerings and reduce incentives for acquiring outlier perspectives. In subsequent interviews, Karp has described publishing as a business driven by reader demand rather than curatorial gatekeeping, advocating for books that challenge dominant narratives to counteract perceived ideological uniformity in the workforce, where surveys indicate over 80% of employees identify as liberal or progressive. This approach, he contends, ensures Simon & Schuster's catalog reflects empirical political realities, such as the roughly 40% of U.S. voters supporting conservative platforms in recent elections, rather than mirroring employee demographics.

Critiques of ideological bias in the publishing workforce

In April 2021, over 200 employees and freelancers signed an internal petition protesting the company's multimillion-dollar book deal with former , arguing that publishing his memoir would platform an individual accused of contributing to the riot and broader harm against marginalized groups. The petition demanded that the publisher donate advances from such contracts to organizations and cease future deals with administration figures, reflecting a pattern of employee aimed at influencing editorial decisions based on political alignment. Jonathan Karp, in a company-wide email responding to the petition, defended the deal by emphasizing Simon & Schuster's commitment to across ideological lines, stating, "We come to work each day to publish, not to , which is the most extreme response to political differences." He contrasted this with the company's publication of progressive titles, such as works by and , which had drawn conservative criticism, to underscore that employee objections disproportionately targeted right-leaning authors in a where such internal pushback against left-leaning content was absent. Karp's stance implicitly critiqued the ideological homogeneity driving these protests, noting that while the company respected personal moral objections, yielding to them would undermine its role as a neutral publisher rather than an ideological gatekeeper. This episode exemplified broader critiques of the publishing industry's workforce, concentrated in urban centers like , where employees tend to skew left-leaning, fostering tensions over conservative manuscripts. Similar staff protests occurred at other houses, such as Hachette's delay of a memoir in 2020 amid employee outrage, highlighting how ideological conformity can pressure executives to prioritize staff sensibilities over contractual obligations or market demand for diverse viewpoints. Karp's defense positioned as resisting such dynamics, arguing in interviews that publishers must serve readers across the spectrum rather than internal echo chambers, even as external critics like accused the industry of selective censorship—such as the earlier cancellation of Josh Hawley's book post-January 6—revealing inconsistencies rooted in prevailing workforce biases. Critics, including observers, have pointed to these incidents as of systemic ideological , where the absence of conservative in editorial roles amplifies calls to suppress dissenting authors, potentially chilling acquisition of right-leaning titles preemptively. Karp's repeated navigation of such controversies, including proceeding with Pence's deal despite risks to company morale, underscored his view that ideological diversity in output requires overriding workforce pressures, lest devolve into advocacy rather than dissemination of ideas. This approach drew praise from free speech advocates but highlighted ongoing friction in an where employee often aligns against perceived right-wing threats, with little reciprocal scrutiny of content.

Other professional and creative pursuits

Involvement in theatre and television

Jonathan Karp has pursued creative endeavors in theater as a and alongside his career. In the early 2000s, he adapted Woody Allen's short story "The Kugelmass Episode," which depicts a using a for an affair with Gustave Flaubert's character Emma Bovary from , for the stage; this work received a reading at the I theater workshop. Karp detailed his process of learning musical comedy in a 2004 essay, reflecting on challenges in adapting literary sources like into song forms. Karp's most notable theatrical production is the musical How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, with music by Seth Weinstein. The show, a satirical comedy addressing terrorism through absurd romantic entanglements, premiered off-Broadway at New World Stages on November 12, 2006, under the direction and choreography of Christopher Gattelli. Reviews praised its energetic staging and topical humor but noted mixed success in balancing farce with deeper themes. In television and film development, Karp briefly served as vice president of production for Scott Rudin Productions' New York office starting in late 2000, after leaving his role as a senior editor at Random House. In this capacity, he oversaw East Coast development efforts for Rudin's and theater projects amid a high-stakes environment, including preparations for a potential writers' strike. However, Karp departed after several months in early 2001, returning to book publishing at , citing the intensity of operations.

Authorship and editorial bibliography

Jonathan Karp has contributed to publishing literature through periodical articles and a single book chapter rather than authoring full-length monographs. He has written pieces for , , and . Additionally, Karp penned the chapter "The Business of Editing" in What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book Editing (2017), edited by Peter Ginna, where he discussed editorial economics and decision-making processes. These contributions reflect his practitioner perspective on the industry's operational challenges, drawn from over three decades of experience. Karp's editorial bibliography spans his roles at , the Twelve imprint, and , where he acquired and edited a range of bestsellers emphasizing , , and investigative works. At , from 1989 to 2005—rising to —he edited titles such as Seabiscuit: An American Legend (2001) by and Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of (2004) by Robert Kurson, both of which achieved commercial success and critical acclaim for their detailed storytelling. Founding the Twelve imprint at in 2006, Karp served as publisher and editor-in-chief until 2010, curating a boutique list limited to twelve books annually to prioritize quality and focus. Notable acquisitions included True Compass: A (2009) by Edward M. Kennedy, which debuted at number one on bestseller lists, and : How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) by , a polemical that sold over a million copies. Joining in 2010 as publisher of the flagship imprint and later ascending to CEO in 2020, Karp continued hands-on editing alongside oversight responsibilities. Key projects include acquiring Salinger (2013) by David Shields and Shane Salerno, a biography of based on extensive interviews, and An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (2024) by in a high-six-figure deal. He also acquired Indestructible: The Unforgettable True Story of a Young Girl's Triumph Over a Shipwreck, the World War II Japanese POW Camps, and Her Remarkable Life (2017) by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic. These works underscore Karp's preference for ambitious, fact-driven narratives with broad appeal, often involving historical or personal resilience themes.

Recent developments and legacy

Transition from CEO role

On August 26, 2025, Jonathan Karp announced his decision to step down as CEO of after five years in the role, transitioning instead to lead a new imprint called Simon Six focused on author-centric . Karp, who assumed the CEO position in May 2020 following a decade as publisher and , cited a desire to devote more direct attention to books and authors as the primary motivation for the change. Karp committed to remaining in the CEO position until Simon & Schuster's identifies and appoints a successor, emphasizing the importance of a seamless handover amid the company's ongoing operations under KKR ownership since 2023. The board initiated an external search process immediately following the announcement, with no timeline specified for completion. This move aligns with Karp's expressed long-term vision for the publisher, which he outlined in prior communications as a five-year strategic period concluding around 2025. The transition reflects Karp's pivot toward hands-on editorial work rather than executive oversight, without indications of or performance issues driving the decision; observers noted it as a planned evolution in his career at the company. Simon Six is positioned as an innovative platform within , though specific operational details and launch timeline remain forthcoming as of the announcement date.

Impact on the publishing industry

Under Jonathan Karp's leadership as CEO of from May 2020 to August 2025, the company achieved record revenues, reaching $993 million in 2021 (a 10% increase from ) and surpassing $1 billion for the first time as a standalone trade publisher in 2022 with $1.1 billion. These gains occurred amid the and economic pressures, bolstering 's position as one of the publishers and contributing to industry stability by demonstrating viability for independent operations post the blocked 2022 merger. Karp drove international expansion through acquisitions such as Veen Bosch & Keuning in the and Affirm Press in in 2023, alongside launching new imprints like Primero Sueño Press and Simon Maverick to target underserved markets. He also recruited key executives, including Perminder Mann as head of and Marysue Rucci as publisher of Scribner, enhancing operational depth and author acquisition capabilities. These moves countered trends in by fostering global reach and specialized content, while the 2023 sale to for $1.62 billion transitioned ownership to without compromising editorial autonomy. Karp's tenure emphasized author-centric strategies, including surveys of over 400 writers to refine amid declining influence and rising digital noise, which helped sustain commercial successes like bestsellers from established and emerging talents. His decision to step down and launch the Simon Six imprint—publishing six curated books annually—signals a broader industry tension between executive oversight and hands-on editing, potentially encouraging publishers to prioritize quality over volume in an era of discoverability challenges. Overall, Karp's focus on financial resilience and strategic diversification reinforced competitive dynamics among major houses, preserving market pluralism against antitrust scrutiny and ownership shifts.

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