Authors Guild asks the DOJ to stop the PRH acquisition of Simon & Schuster
The Authors Guild has written a letter to the Department of Justice, urging it to stop Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster.
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A new publisher of illustrated books, G Editions
G Editions will focus on fine art and photography monographs as well as “author-centric” gift titles.
Barnes & Noble Press offers 70 percent flat rate royalty for all ebook sales
For authors who self-publish through Barnes & Noble Press, the retailer updated its terms to be more attractive than what Amazon offers.
Spotify tests out audiobooks by releasing some classics
Spotify, which last year signaled its intent to launch into audiobook content, is releasing nine classics (all public domain works).
Jeff Bezos steps down as CEO of Amazon
Amazon announced that Jeff Bezos would step down as CEO of Amazon and become executive chairman of the board during the third quarter of 2021.
NetGalley purchased by Japanese company
Media Do, a major ebook distributor headquartered in Japan, has acquired NetGalley along with parent company Firebrand.
Like those in the US, UK’s book sales held up well in 2020
For the full year, UK’s Nielsen BookScan reports an estimated 5.2 percent increase in print unit sales over 2019.
Midst reveals the editing process behind poems
A collaboration between a poet and a software developer has produced Midst, a word processor that tracks writers’ changes as they make them
At least some US independent bookstores saw sales gains in 2020
According to an ongoing survey of store owners across the country, some independent bookstores have been managing well during the pandemic.
Little, Brown Children’s strikes deal with a content studio
Little, Brown Children’s has signed a first-look deal with Epic Productions, a content studio that focuses on underserved Generation Z & Millennial fandoms
About those happy 2020 numbers: they masked some pain points for publishing
In his year-end analysis of BookScan and AAP statistics, Michael Cader of Publishers Lunch offered insights that are rarely discussed.
2021 print book sales off to a strong start in the US
For the first three weeks of the year, print book sales were up by 22 percent over 2020.
Audible’s ACX to Make Returns Information Available
ACX has also introduced more lenient terms and will let authors out of exclusivity agreements.
Not Just Big in Korea: Why Wattpad’s Acquisition Matters for Book Publishing
Graphic novels, webcomics, and manga are a growing part of the juvenile reading market—and represent a more diverse and global readership.
Book Sales and Library Lending Way Up in 2020
Publishing’s most extraordinary performance this year may indicate that retail sales and library lending are complementary.
Simon & Schuster Cancels Senator Josh Hawley’s Book—But Remains Its Distributor
Regnery Publishing picked up the title soon after its cancellation; the conservative publisher has been distributed by Simon & Schuster since 2018.
Cipher Press open to submissions from queer writers
Cipher launched in 2020 and champions LGBTQI+ writers in the UK and beyond. They accept adult fiction and creative nonfiction.
Embla Books launches in the UK
An imprint of Bonnier Books UK, Embla is a digital-first imprint that will publish commercial genre fiction. It’s being led by an editor.
Closing Image: January 20, 2021
NPD BookScan, which tracks US print book sales through retail outlets, recently released the top 10 bestsellers of 2020. Barack Obama’s memoir, A Promised Land, released on Nov. 17, was number one,
Anchor Books will start publishing hardcovers
Part of the Random House Publishing Group, Anchor is known for its paperback line. Starting in spring 2022, it will begin publishing hardcovers
Wattpad purchased by South Korean internet firm Naver
Wattpad, the Canadian-based writing and publishing startup founded in 2006, has been purchased by Naver in a $600 million deal.
A new Canadian literary agency
5 Otter Literary is a Toronto-based agency representing authors and illustrators across a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s literature
Powell’s bookstore faces protests over carrying anti-antifa title
Powell’s Books closed its doors for part of last week due to safety concerns after protesters gathered outside the store.
Joel Friedlander sells The Book Designer to Chandler Bolt
The Book Designer website has been a trusted and reliable resource for many years in the writing and publishing community
Tasneem Motala joins The Rights Factory
In addition to agenting, Motala runs an #ownvoices literary zine. She is building a list of character-driven middle-grade and YA fiction by BIPOC authors.
Publishers Weekly launches a new trade show
To fill the vacuum created by the shuttering of BookExpo, Publishers Weekly announced a new US-based trade fair
Isabel Kaufman joins Fox Literary
Kaufman was previously an intern with Fox Literary in 2012. She then worked for several years as a freelance writer and editor
Medium acquires Glose
Based in Paris, Glose is a digital platform for buying, reading, and discussing books—what you might call a social reading platform
There’s now such a thing as a podcast agent
Joy Fowlkes has joined The Gernert Company’s Los Angeles office as a podcast agent, representing authors and their work in the podcast space
Sea shanty songbook: File under “Who knew this would be a thing?”
The publishing arm of the British Library is bringing forward the release date of a sea shanty guide due to overwhelming interest on TikTok.
Publishing deals increased in 2020, according to Publishers Marketplace
Publishers Marketplace, which has been tracking book deals for 20 years, has released 2020 stats reflecting that—even during a pandemic.
New, free virtual conference for underrepresented writers: DVcon
DVcon is the offshoot of DiverseVoices, a nonprofit organization that hosts the #DVpit Twitter pitch events.
A new library distribution opportunity for indie authors
BookLife Elite is a program for self-published titles that have been deemed by Publishers Weekly reviewers to be of the highest quality.
HarperCollins launches crime fiction competition
HarperFiction UK has launched Killing It: The Killer Reads Competition, a contest for undiscovered crime writers.
Scholastic launches BIPOC line for young readers
Launching in fall 2021, Bright Brown Baby publishes board books and pictures books that center Black and brown children and families.
Another Ebook Price-Fixing Case, This Time against Amazon
In a case of déjà sue, Hagens Berman is litigating against anticompetitive practices it helped put in place seven years ago.
Harlequin expands into middle-grade publishing
Harlequin’s Inkyard Press, a YA imprint, is now releasing middle-grade titles, starting in 2022. They will focus on “action-packed, thoughtful books with ongoing series
Black Bee Books now open for submissions
The Wales-based publisher accepts fiction and nonfiction for adults as well as YA. Their books have some kind of link to Wales.
What to Watch for in 2021
Putting COVID aside for a moment, here are the companies and issues we expect to play a significant role in book publishing in 2021.
What Others Predict for 2021 and Beyond
Bo Sacks, a magazine industry expert, says the first half of 2021 will look like the end of 2020—eventually we’ll see The Roaring Twenties.
Closing Image: January 5, 2021
Creator apps and services had a breakout year in 2020, with increased use of Substack, Patreon, OnlyFans, Twitch, and Cameo—as well as TikTok.
The UK and EU strike a deal on Brexit after nearly five years
The trade deal puts zero tariffs or quotas on goods, which includes books. That’s a relief for UK publishers, given that the UK is the world’s largest exporter of books.
IngramSpark increases print-on-demand pricing
IngramSpark’s paperback POD costs in the US will increase by 4 percent. However, premium color per-page prices will decrease.
NetGalley experiences a data breach
On Dec. 21, 2020, NetGalley suffered a data breach that exposed user accounts, including passwords and personal information.
The Great Gatsby now in the public domain
On Public Domain Day (January 1 of every year), major works enter the public domain. This year welcomes F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby,
Book sales update: January 6, 2021
Print book sales in the US remained strong through the holidays and end of the year. During the holiday season.
A new site curates podcasts for readers, authors, and publishers
Launching this month, LiveWriters will provide news and resources about podcasting for the book community, a forum for industry discussion.