The Time Warner Group has launched a new imprint called “Center Street.” According to Publisher’s Weekly, Time Warner says the name is meant to “reflect the line’s heartland values and sensibilities.” This explains the focus on self-help, motivation, health, fitness, and regional interest. Something tells us that latter item might need more clarification before our puny brain can process it. The good news is that TW will use all of its distribution channels to promote the imprint. Well, duh. What’s the point of media might if you’re not going to exploit it? Time Warner Bookmark

And more from Publisher’s Lunch: lots of moves at Abrams. So many that we’ll quote directly from PL: Multiple announcements from divisions at Abrams. At Stewart, Tabori & Chang, Ron Longe has joined the unit as director of publicity. He was at Routledge most recently. Debbie Yost has been named senior editor for lifestyle books, coming over after 17 years at Rodale. And senior editor Marisa Bulzone has been promoted to executive editor. At Harry N. Abrams, Sharon Huerta has joined the company as trade sales manager. She was at Penguin Putnam. Harry N. Abrams Books

Publisher’s Lunch tells us that Jake Morrissey has joined Riverhead Books as an executive editor. Naturally, we thought this meant he’d be reviewing the memos written by titled staff and making them more readable, but, as it turns out, executive editors only edit executives from other companies. All very confusing, but we won’t spend too much time puzzling over the whole thing. Riverhead Books

No official confirmation on this one, but word on the ‘Net is that Stephanie Maurer will be leaving Silhouette due to the previously announced structural changes. We bonded with Stephanie in a time-honored tradition (no, not our writing…our love of Spike from Cowboy Bebop), and wish her the best.

The Southern California heat wave has broken — convenient as we’re attending an outdoor party on the Westside today. Really, it’s convenient because we’re addicted to sweaters. Which, of course, has nothing to do with anything we’re about to do here. Lots of updates and items caught our attention this week, including a switcheroo. Spanish book publisher Planeta is moving into English-language titles. Yeah, it’s so obvious, we wonder what took so long. Given the rush to capture the Spanish-speaking market in the U.S., this approach has the potential to change publishing dynamics as Planetas current authors have incentive to

Do note expect to find Norma Khouri’s books on the shelf anytime soon (but expect brisk business on eBay). Her publisher has decided to pull the plug on the printing presses. Yes, we remain disheartened, but fascinated. Khouri’s book pulled permanently