Schimel’s focus will be on developing the company’s Spanish-language publishing efforts.

Publisher, author, and literary translator Lawrence Schimel will assume the role of senior editor at NorthSouth Books, the U.S. division of Swiss picture book publisher NordSüd Verlag, effective March 1. Schimel’s focus will be on developing the company’s Spanish-language publishing efforts. In addition to overseeing NorthSouth’s current roster of Spanish-language titles, he will also guide a select list of Spanish-language originals by Latin American authors and illustrators, along with translations.

NorthSouth associate publisher Andrew Rushton said in a statement, «Expanding our Spanish-language program has long been a goal, but it doesn’t make sense to do so without the depth of knowledge and understanding that only someone like Lawrence can provide. Facing the challenges of international publishing and reaching children in a variety of languages is in our DNA, but it only works if we have people on board who understand the subtleties and nuances of each individual market. This is a very exciting step for NorthSouth.»

Lawrence Schimel stated, «I am thrilled to further develop our ongoing collaboration by joining the NorthSouth Books team as the company makes this strong commitment to Spanish-language publishing in the U.S. I look forward to helping grow and strengthen their existing programs and ensuring the best of their original English and German titles also find readers in Spanish, in addition to finding and nurturing new projects and incredible voices from across the Spanish-speaking Americas.»