Former Obama publisher signs on as book agent

[July 09, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- President Barack Obama's former publisher has a new job as a literary agent.

Abrams Artists Agency said Thursday that Steve Ross is joining the agency, effective Monday. Ross in 2006 released Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" while a publisher in the Crown division of Random House, Inc.

Besides Obama, Ross has worked with a variety of celebrities, athletes and commentators, including Derek Jeter, Russell Brand and Arianna Huffington.

His most recent publishing position was as head of the Collins division of HarperCollins. Collins was disbanded in 2009 during a wave of company layoffs.

[Associated Press]

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