Remembering Sybil Steinberg

Sybil Steinberg — a longtime Westporter, noted Publishers Weekly editor, beloved Westport Library “Sybil’s List” curator, and mother of State Representative Jonathan Steinberg — died yesterday in Florida.

She retired from Publishers Weekly in 2001, but continued as a contributing editor for 20 more years. When the magazine celebrated its 150th anniversary in April of 2022, she was hailed as an editor who was “a significant force in the industry.”

In November of 2022, “06880” honored Sybil as an Unsung Hero. Here is that story;

Hard to believe, but “06880” has never hailed Sybil Steinberg as an Unsung Hero.

The contributing editor and — for many years — book review section editor for Publishers Weekly is a well known and beloved Westport Library treasure.

Her curated recommended reading recommendations — called simply “Sybil’s List” — have entertained, inspired and kept local readers busy for years. A number of Westporters will not read a book unless it’s been vetted by Sybil.

During COVID, she took her talks to Zoom. Suddenly her grateful audience expanded far beyond her hometown.

Now she’s back live, at the Trefz Forum. Happily, the Library films her talks.

A gifted interviewer for Publishers Weekly, Sybil does the same when writers visit the Westport Library.

Sybil and her late husband, the equally well respected Dr. Steinberg, moved here in 1960. (The last name is familiar for another reason: Their son Jonathan has served as Westport’s representative for 7 terms.)

Now well into her 80s, Sybil Steinberg shows no sign of slowing down. She’s got many more books to read, and recommend, in her role as the town’s literary guru.

And — stopping only briefly for kudos — as our “06880” Unsung Hero of the Week.

Sybil Steinberg

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In 1995, Publisher’s Weekly flew Sybil to London, to interview Salman Rushdie.

The author was in hiding; the Ayatollah Khomeini had issued a fatwa calling for his execution. In August 2022 — a week after Rushdie was stabbed during a talk in upstate New York — Sybil described that interview with him, for “06880.”

At the time I was editor of the book review section, for which PW is renowned. Pantheon was about to publish his first collection of stories, titled “East, West.” They wanted to assure the US publishing industry that Rushdie was still writing, and at the top of his form.

Security was tight. A cab with shades drawn picked me up at my hotel, and drove me to the Random House offices in London.

I entered through a side door. Two security people examined me, and my tape recorder and notebook. I had to assure them that I hadn’t told anyone abut my mission.

Salman Rushdie/© Beowulf Sheehan http://www.beowulfsheehan.com

They led me to a private office, and locked me in. About 10 minutes later, there was a clatter in the hallway. Rushdie arrived, accompanied by his own security team.

Rushdie’s serious expression had led many to misread his personality. He proved to be a delightful interviewee: genial, forthcoming, and a great raconteur.

Because Rushdie was of great interest to the publishing industry, PW gave me 3 pages for the interview — a privilege never granted before or since.

The headline read: “Six years into the fatwa, the resourceful writer discusses his new book and his determination ‘not to be beaten.’”

Here’s an excerpt: “While he doesn’t deny that the death sentence cast a cloak of terror over his existence, Rushdie is eager to plead the this audience not read his life into his work.”

There’s a bitter irony that Salman Rushdie was attacked as he was about to address the audience at Chautauqua about America’s role as a safe haven for authors.