Obsessive SFBC stalkers might remember the name Austen Farrell; he was our Editorial Assistant for about two years, but he left us in the last summer of 2006 to move up to Boston. (And I still think that, if he was really devoted, he could have made that commute work, but perhaps I'm being unrealistic.)

The SFBC labored without an assistant for many months, mostly for budgetary reasons (as far as I know), but, finally, with the new year, we were given permission to interview and hire.

Our new Editorial Assistant started today, so I thought to mark the occasion with a photo of the full SFBC Editorial staff. (The photo was taken in a conference room at Stately SFBC HQ by my colleague and neighbor, Gary Jansen of the Quality Paperback Book Club.)

I'll also point out that, in my infinite modesty, I picked the photo in which only I looked like an idiot (I seem to grimacing for no good reason), since my colleagues looked good. That's just the kind of man I am.

From left to right, your SFBC Editors are:

• Ellen Asher, Editor-in-Chief
  
• Ashley Van Winkle, Editorial Assistant
• Andrew Wheeler, Senior Editor
• Jay Franco, Altiverse Editor (and also, in his secret identity, Editor of the Military Book Club) 

Edit, 2/13: A slightly smaller picture size will, I hope, bring the elusive Mr. Franco into view...