News and links: IDW expands, Top Cow, webcomics

* IDW Publishing, now part of IDT Internet Mobile Group, is launching a new children's division called Jonas Publishing and an imprint called Worthwhile Books. The new division has signed a deal to publish in the U.S. material created by U.K. publisher Meadowside Books. They've also signed up a number of Hollywood writers to pen books. That list, from the PR:

·    David N. Weiss, whose writing credits include Shrek 2, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and both Rugrats movies
·    David Sacks, a writer/producer on The Simpsons, producer on Malcolm in the Middle, and writer on 3rd Rock from the Sun
·    Dava Savel, an Emmy Award- winning comedy writer with credits on shows such as Grace Under Fire and Will & Grace, in addition to being an executive producer on the children's program That's So Raven
·    David Steinberg, whose producing credits include Meet the Robinsons, Home on the Range and Cats Don't Dance
·    Robert Kurtz, who wrote for the movie Everyone's Hero and has written for such shows as Boy Meets World and Grace Under Fire   

* Top Cow follows up its promotion of Filip Sablik with the hiring of Mel Caylo as VP of marketing and sales. Caylos formerly was editorial director at Wizard magazine.

* Anyone interested in getting a webcomic going (perhaps while waiting out the writers strike) should check out this list of 50 relevant tools and resources.