Former Time deputy managing editor Priscilla Painton has been named editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster's adult trade imprint, which is far more respectable than it sounds. Painton, who left Time in December, will take over most of the responsibilities of flinty (and legendary) editorial director, Alice Mayhew, who's staying on at the publishing house in a somewhat diminished capacity. Mayhew shepherded, among others, books by Craig Unger, Bob Woodward, Doris Kearns Goodwin. Painton, daughter of one of the founders of Time Europe, spent 20 years at the news weekly, earning the respect of many. She was known for making wry fun of former managing editor Jim Kelly to his face (when warranted) during weekly staff editorial meetings, and remains the highest-ranking female editor in the magazine's history. [NYT]