Merriam-Webster Kids will launch in fall 2021 and be focused on word books for kids of all ages. The first book in the series, Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day, is for those aged eight to 12 and includes not only 366 words but also illustrations, “zany stories,” and 12 audio downloads featuring celebrity narrators. Another launch title will be Merriam-Webster’s 150 First Words, “the perfect welcome gift for any baby.” Read the press release.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
