Editors and other staff at the Knopf Publishing Group were informed this morning that Marty Asher, who has served as editor-in-chief of the company's paperback division Vintage Anchor for two decades, had decided to step down in favor of a quieter, less administrative job as an editor-at-large at Knopf.

The announcement had been in the works for some time: last week, Knopf director of publicity Paul Bogaards called Mr. Asher and asked him to prepare a statement about his decision. Here's what he got: "I will miss the day to day interaction with my Vintage Anchor family. At the same time, I am thrilled to be working with the best hardcover team in publishing."