Variety's Michael Fleming reports that the Gersh Agency, which until now had been almost exclusively focused on film and television rights, is now expanding into the book business. Phyllis Wender, previously one-half of Wender/Rosenstone until her partner, Jack Rosenstone, died recently, will run the division from Gersh's New York HQ and will bring agents Sonia Pabley and Susan Cohen with her. In fact, Pabley told me last night at the Mystery Writers of America Agents & Editors party that she began working at Gersh as of April 1, where half her clients will be book-based (like Naomi Hirahara, nominee for the Best Paperback Original Edgar Award) and the other half theater-based.

"Most book agents know Phyllis, and her reputation and stature will dictate how the division will do business," company president David Gersh told Variety. "We've wanted a good book division for years but never found the right person to run it. We think she will be a great combination with Amy Schiffman in Los Angeles and Sarah Self in New York, who make film and TV deals for authors."