The U.K. literary arts and culture magazine Granta announced on Tuesday that it has selected prominent book reviewer John Freeman to be its American editor. Freeman, former president of the National Book Critics Circle, will assume his new post, based in New York City, early next year.
Among Freeman's duties as U.S. editor will be working with Granta editor Alex Clark to promote the magazine in North America through a series of author events, and developing relationships between U.S. writers and the London-based magazine. In the announcement of his appointment on the Granta Web site, Freeman also expressed his interest in using the newly redesigned site to bring the magazine to a wider readership.
"John is a voracious reader and a prolific critic," said Sigrid Rauser, publisher of Granta. "He also has an indefatigable and entrepreneurial imagination, which will be great for Granta."
Granta was founded in 1889 by Cambridge University students and, after a brief period of attrition, was revived in 1979. The magazine published its hundredth issue in February.