ALLi launches the Indie Author Bookstore
The store, featuring work by ALLi members, is designed to help readers and influencers discover self-published authors across all genres.
Spotify launches rankings list, Audiobook Charts
They are similar to Spotify’s music and podcast charts, updated every week.
New agent at HJLit
Irene Kaster is seeking romance, fiction set in the rural Midwest or mountain towns, nonfiction, and more.
Links of Interest: Feb. 25, 2026
The latest in trends, social media, audio, media, culture & politics, and AI.
New horror imprint at Zando
Evil Twin will release its first title this summer, with six to eight titles planned each year.
Can AI Give Better Submissions Feedback Than a Human Agent or Editor?
We review Request the Full, an AI service for writers who want to gain a realistic sense of whether their work is ready to query.
Book sales update: Feb. 25, 2026
Hachette enjoyed 11% sales growth in 2025, partly due to the success of Freida McFadden and the Reese Witherspoon collaboration with Harlan Coben.
Ingram launches Edelweiss competitor
As Edelweiss increases pricing, making small publishers especially doubt whether the service is truly worthwhile, Ingram is entering the fray.
Julia Quinn’s Kickstarter for historical romance approaches $500k raised
Fundraising for her subscription box has already raised more than $400,000, with a month left to go.
Literary Agents and the Book-to-Screen Pipeline: Q&A with Jillian Davis
I spoke with the head of the book department at LA-based Kaplan Stahler Literary Agency about working at the intersection of book publishing and Hollywood.
Come Meet Me at AWP 2026 in Baltimore
I’d love to see you at AWP Conference & Bookfair (March 4–7, 2026, Baltimore). I’ll be exhibiting (Booth 624) and speaking at the Bookfair.
What Is a Memoir’s Essential Question and Why Do You Need One?
The first question is often some version of “What happened to me?” Understanding it helps craft a story that speaks to your readers’ needs.
New agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
René Kooiker has joined as a junior agent actively building his list in fiction and nonfiction. He is open to submissions.
Audible reminds customers you can seamlessly switch between its audiobooks and Kindle books
In response to Spotify's Page Match, Audible has rebranded its similar Whispersync for Voice feature (launched in 2012) as “Read & Listen.”
Links of Interest: Feb. 18, 2026
The latest in traditional publishing, AI, marketing & promotion, and culture & politics.
New UK publisher: Pellerin Books
Pellerin Books will focus on popular fiction by traditionally published and self-published authors.
Traditional Deals for Self-Pub Authors Grew Significantly in 2025
Not only has the number of deals grown in 2025, but they are often multi-book deals in the six figures, with more publishers than ever competing for successful indie author series.
Harlequin will close the Harlequin Historical romance line in 2027
In a statement, Harlequin said the reason is “due to changing global market conditions.”
Anthropic settlement database may list distributors, not publishers, for included works
A heads up to author-publishers, small publishers, or even sizable publishers that may not realize they have unclaimed books in the database.
11 Steps from Your Big Fat Mess to Your Next Draft
If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of accumulated words after months or years of generating new material, here’s how to tame and shape them.
What I Learned from Turning Myself Into an AI Chatbot
One book coach wondered whether an AI tool, trained on his own archive of advice, could answer authors’ questions as well as he could.
Why Your Story Keeps Stalling (and How to Get It Moving)
Stories are like trains: a connected chain of main events (railcars) and transitions (couplings), with very little stopping at platforms.
Links of Interest: Feb. 11, 2026
The latest in traditional publishing, nonfiction sales, AI, and culture & politics.
Hachette Children’s Group in the UK launches three new imprints
As part of a restructure, Hachette Children’s Group (UK) has launched three new imprints: Starboard, Tempest, and Blyton Books.
New agent at L Perkins Agency
David Valentin joins as an agent after first working as an editor and assistant at LPA.