Amanda Ridout, the managing director of HarperCollins UK, resigned yesterday, explaining in a memo that she will "to pursue other ventures which are confidential at this stage."

According to BookBrunch, the publishing world pondered her departure all day, trying to understand her surprise exit from the company. The article collects reactions from writers and executives around the book world.

Here's an excerpt: "'I think Amanda was unlucky,' said one author of a number of HarperCollins bestsellers. 'She's not a book person, she should have been put in charge of sales. If she had, both she and HarperCollins would have been in a much happier position.'" (Via Sarah Weinman)