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Brian Distelberg

President and Publisher, Basic Books Group at Hachette Book Group

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Overview

Brian Distelberg serves as President and Publisher of the Basic Books Group at Hachette Book Group [1][3]. Distelberg is a fifteen-year publishing veteran who holds a PhD in history from Yale University [2][11] and an A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard University [12]. Distelberg's career in publishing began at Harvard University Press, where Distelberg worked as Editorial Assistant for History and Contemporary Affairs from June 2011 to June 2012 [10], followed by a role as Assistant Editor from July 2012 to September 2015 [9]. Distelberg joined Basic Books in September 2015 as Editor [8] and advanced through positions including Senior Editor [7], Editorial Director of History & Social Sciences [6], VP and Editor in Chief [5], and VP and Associate Publisher [4] before assuming the current role in June 2026 [3]. Distelberg has published multiple New York Times bestsellers and Pulitzer Prize winners [2].

Profile introduction
Source excerptLinkedIn [2]

A fifteen-year publishing veteran, I'm passionate about helping expert authors bring serious ideas and innovative research to a general audience. I've published multiple New York Times bestsellers and Pulitzer Prize winners, as well as winners of and finalists for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the RFK Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Wolfson History Prize, the Cundill History Prize, and the National Jewish Book Award. Before working in publishing, I trained as a historian, and I hold a PhD in history from Yale University.

Career history

  1. President and Publisher, Basic Books GroupJun 2026 to presentHachette Book Group
  2. VP, Associate Publisher, Basic Books GroupNov 2024 to Jun 2026Hachette Book Group
  3. VP, Editor in ChiefApr 2022 to Nov 2024Basic Books
  4. Editorial Director, History & Social SciencesFeb 2020 to Apr 2022Basic Books
  5. Senior EditorFeb 2018 to Feb 2020Basic Books
  6. EditorSep 2015 to Feb 2018Basic Books
  7. Assistant EditorJul 2012 to Sep 2015Harvard University Press
  8. Editorial Assistant for History and Contemporary AffairsJun 2011 to Jun 2012Harvard University Press

Education

  1. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), History2006 - 2015Yale University
  2. A.B., History and Literature2001 - 2005Harvard University

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