Betty Prashker. Photo courtesy of her daughter Lucy Prashker.
We remember Betty Prashker. The pioneering female editor in the then male-dominated publishing world of the late 20th century died on July 30th at her daughter’s house in the Berkshires. She was 99 years old.
During her 50-year career, she was an associate publisher at Doubleday and became editor-in-chief of the Crown Publishing Group in 1982.
Oral history interview conducted by Random House in 2001.
Her authors at Doubleday included Kate Millett, who wrote the groundbreaking Sexual Politics, Gay Talese, William F. Buckley, and Phyllis Chesler. As an editor at Crown, she launched the careers of Judith Krantz, Dominick Dunne, Jean M. Auel, Erik Larson, and Susan Faludi.
“In total, Prashker is estimated to have published more than 500 books,” says Publishers Weekly. In 1998, Vanity Fair named her one of 200 female legends, influencers, and trailblazers.
Prashker’s petite stature contrasted with the enormous respect she commanded from competitors and colleagues alike for her expertise and empathy in helping her authors and publishing staff produce their best work. Her no-nonsense determination to overcome the disadvantage faced by women in the book industry was matched by a quick wit and a kind heart.
Tina Constable, executive vice president and publisher of Random House Publishing Group, who has worked closely with Prashker, said: “Without Betty, Crown Publishing as we know it would not have existed, with its fantastic roster of authors whose editorial collaboration with her has helped them reach enormous, loyal readerships. I am just one of many colleagues who have benefited greatly from her experience and tireless commitment to higher pay for women in publishing.”
Posted: August 12, 2024
