Angel appointed president at Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Former Faber publisher Mitzi Angel has been appointed president of Farrar, Straus & Giroux (FSG) in the US, only the third person to take on the role in the company’s 75-year history.

Effective from 1st January, she will report to Jon Yaged, president of Macmillan Publishers. Her predecessor Jonathan Galassi will step into the newly created role of chairman and executive editor of FSG.

She said: “I am proud to be the new president of Farrar, Straus & Giroux and to follow the distinguished years of Jonathan Galassi. I look forward to the company’s ongoing success and its contribution to literature and to culture generally. We have always aimed high; my colleagues and I are eager to search out quality in new places and to promote new voices while continuing with the riches we have, both in English and in translation. Jonathan, in his new position as chairman and executive editor, will continue to work full-time with his authors and to acquire new projects. My wonderful colleagues and I will work to build on what he has achieved and will count on his invaluable guidance.”

Angel is currently senior vice-president and publisher at the company, a group that includes the imprints FSG, MCD and Picador. The firm said she had "fostered a slate of dynamic writers" and overseen the publishing strategy for the many bestselling and award-winning books.

Prior to this role, she served as publisher of Faber & Faber until 2018. She has also held several previous positions at FSG, as vice-president and executive editor.

At FSG, she has acquired and edited writers including Rachel Cusk, Garth Greenwell, Sheila Heti, Ben Lerner, Deborah Levy, Yiyun Li, Sally Rooney and Amia Srinivasan, among others.  

Yaged said: “Mitzi’s position in the literary community, her exquisite taste in books, and her vision for FSG’s future make her the perfect individual to hold this historic position. Mitzi’s international presence and reputation in our industry are unique and I’m thrilled to have her assume this role. With Mitzi’s proven leadership and editorial acumen, the FSG team is poised to build on its extraordinary reputation to take the company to new heights.” 

Galassi commented: “From our very first meeting 15 years ago, I have admired Mitzi’s unique blend of openness, discernment and strength of character. She has a deep understanding of both FSG’s history and of today’s new challenges and opportunities, and as our publisher she has been tremendously effective in reimagining our publishing strategies and bringing in a new generation of great writers, all the while winning the admiration, trust and affection of her colleagues. I look forward to her leadership as she takes the reins and guides the company we both love.” 

Don Weisberg, chief executive officer of Macmillan, added: “Jonathan has led a remarkable house, publishing and editing many celebrated writers, prize-winners, and literary masters. He has been a vital member of the FSG team for 35 years and I am pleased he will continue supporting our authors and building FSG’s great list as chairman and executive editor. I am delighted that Mitzi, an accomplished leader with superb literary taste and industry expertise, will be his successor, continuing to evolve and strengthen this publishing and cultural institution in ways she has already proven in her time as publisher. This is an exciting moment in the history of FSG and Macmillan, as we congratulate Mitzi on her appointment.”