Links of Interest: January 17, 2024
The latest in misleading polls, TikTok, Amazon, children's publishing, libraries, AI, and 2024 predictions.
The Ekus Group joins Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
Ekus is a cookbook-focused literary agency, founded in 1982. Naggar established her agency in 1978.
Tor.com rebrands and relaunches its online magazine
On Jan. 23, the Tor.com online magazine will rebrand to Reactor.
Los Angeles Public Library acquires publisher
In December, the LAPL, the fifth-largest public library system in the United States, announced its acquisition of Angel City Press.
New agent alert: Howland Literary
Sánchez is seeking literary and upmarket adult fiction as well as cookbooks of Latin-American and Caribbean cuisine.
Paw Prints expands into middle grade
The children’s book imprint launched by Baker & Taylor in 2022, will expand into the middle-grade market this fall.
On the List: The Cowboy’s Christmas Compromise by Jill Kemerer
Kemerer is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels with Harlequin Love Inspired who’s sold over a half million books worldwide.
Understanding Hollywood Terminology and How Book-to-Film Deals Happen
Media rights representatives, literary managers, and scouts—oh my!
OpenAI hits back at the New York Times
The Times filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI earlier this month, and now OpenAI has publicly responded on its blog.
New Wattpad survey shows young people skeptical of AI-generated work
A new survey shows that 92 percent of readers think it’s important for humans to be involved in writing and producing books.
Another record-breaking year for US library digital lending
According to OverDrive, the leading distributor of digital books to libraries, digital borrowing saw a 19 percent increase overall in 2023.
Barnes & Noble hopes to open 50 stores this year
Barnes & Noble ended 2023 with 609 stores, or an annual increase of 10 stores. CEO James Daunt’s goal for this year is 50 additional stores.
Confronting Sophomore Syndrome as a Published Author
On the release of her sophomore novel, one year after her debut, a writer reflects on what she’s learned about the business of authorship.
Avoid Random Acts of Content
One way to cultivate a loyal audience is by sharing compelling content, but it’s important to understand the needs of your target audience.
To Get on Podcasts, Create a Media Kit
This excerpt from the new book How to Get on Podcasts by Michelle Glogovac focuses on the importance of creating a basic media kit.
How to Write Realistically About Drug Use in Your Novel
A new book, The Grim Reader, helps authors understand how to write convincingly about drugs and their use.
The Über Skill for Writers
By paying attention to how you are impacted by story, you can learn to trace those effects back to the techniques that elicited them.
Hachette launches website for direct-to-consumer sales
The initiative was announced by outgoing CEO Michael Pietsch as part of his annual letter to authors.
Skyhorse acquires Regnery
Conservative publisher Regnery has become a home to authors that the Big Five publishers don’t want or have otherwise dropped.
On the List: To Kill a Shadow by Katherine Quinn
To Kill a Shadow is Quinn's fourth novel, following the Azantian Trilogy.
IMHO: Spotify Earnings for Authors Aren’t Bad (Yet)
A reality check on inconsistent, incomplete, and misleading commentary.
What to Watch for in 2024
2024 promises to test—and perhaps widen—a number of publishing boundaries.
Book sales update: 2023 performance
Circana BookScan reports that adult fiction in the US market saw its best holiday sales (for print) in five years.
