Book Publishing News is the latest information and updates on the book publishing industry. It can include news about new book releases, new imprints, and more.
It’s always a good idea to keep up with the latest publishing news. This can be as simple as following a few book publishers on Twitter, or it could be more involved with finding out about upcoming book launches.
Astra Books for Young Readers
Astra is the name of a newly formed children’s division that incorporates Boyds Mills Press and is led by editorial director Rebecca Davis. It is a new imprint that will focus on fiction and nonfiction for children of all ages.
In her debut novel Astra, writer Elizabeth Bowers takes readers through a single woman’s life by telling it from the perspectives of ten different people, revealing the many faces of her character. Her story is a tale of dependence and love, need and desire, as Astra struggles to find her way in the world.
She begins her life as a feral child on a farming commune in British Columbia, where she is raised by her father Raymond who is reluctant to accept the responsibility of parenting. In later chapters, Bowers tells the story from the perspective of the young girl who befriends her, a concerned mother, a man who falls in love with her, and several others who come into Astra’s life to try to rescue her or control her.
Although Bowers’ writing is a bit fast-paced at times, her diverse perspectives make Astra a fascinating and memorable read. She also does a great job of highlighting how Astra’s character evolves throughout her lifetime.
Henry Holt Children’s Books
Henry Holt and Company has a long history of publishing award-winning books and authors. Its list reflects a wide range of subject matter, including fiction (Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy and Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, the winner of the 2019 National Book Award), history (Pulitzer Prize-winner Rick Atkinson’s Revolution Trilogy), politics, science, biography, and psychology.
Publisher inconsistency can make it difficult to identify the first edition of a book, so it is best to look for a designation such as “first” or “first printing.” These terms will be printed on the title page of the book. In addition, look for the words “reprint” if the book is published after the copyright date.
Mallory Loehr has been vp and publishing director for Random House, Golden Books, and Doubleday Children’s imprints since 1990. She has worked with many top names in children’s literature, including Dr. Seuss, Tamora Pierce, and Emily Winfield Martin. She currently oversees the Paula Wiseman Books/Simon and Schuster BFYR list, which publishes picture books, novelty books, and novels. She is also a member of the Children’s Book Council.
Joy Revolution
Joy Revolution is Random House Children’s Books new imprint led by Nicola Yoon (Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star) and David Yoon (Frankly in Love). The new list will be dedicated to young adult romance novels by and about people of color.
According to statistics, about a fifth of romance readers are people of color. Nicola Yoon’s own experience as a writer and a reader has made her realize the need for more romance stories that center Black characters.
To do this, she founded Joy Revolution, which publishes love stories that are uplifting and inspiring while offering a safe space for readers. Its first list will feature young adult novels by bestselling authors Talia Hibbert and Amalie Howard.
The Joy Revolution team will be working with a soon-to-be-hired editor at Delacorte Press to acquire and edit titles. The first Joy Revolution list will debut in 2022.
Labyrinth Road
Labyrinth Road is a new imprint at Random House Books for Young Readers that focuses on middle grade series and select high-concept literary YA novels. The imprint is committed to publishing a diverse range of voices and inclusive stories, with a particular focus on representation of LGBTQIA+ and intersectional identities.
The store’s name comes from a labyrinth, an ancient symbol that has been used in numerous cultures. It is a geometric design in which a path consists of turnings that lead to an open area at the center. A labyrinth has also been a feature of cathedrals and gothic palaces throughout Europe, most notably Chartres, Reims and Amiens.
In the Labyrinth annex, the space is full of time-travel-style portholes, a hidden book room and an eerie tunnel built out of books. The annex is also home to 100,000 used books, most of which are sold for $1 each.
Downtown artists have helped transform the cluttered, crumbling space into an art gallery that is more a hive of activity than it is a place to buy or sell books. They have painted a planetarium-like mural on the sci-fi vault, created comic-book wallpaper and made custom bookcases for the Labyrinth.
Sterling Teen
Sterling Teen, a new YA imprint, publishes fiction across a range of genres. Three novels comprise its inaugural list.
These Witches Don’t Burn is a charming, suspenseful debut novel about boarding school girls who find themselves wrapped into a contest of sorts. Their lives are about to get more complicated and they will have to do whatever it takes to save themselves and their coven.
This book is a study of friendships and how they change. Sterling has created characters who are very believable and she has captured the atmosphere of a boarding school.
It was hard not to root for these girls and I liked their interactions with one another. The girls are so different from each other but they all seem to have their strengths.
This book is a good read for anyone who enjoys a mystery. There’s a murder but that happens late in the story and there are lots of twists. It’s a very easy read and I enjoyed reading it.
Odd Dot
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group announced its newest imprint, Odd Dot. It will focus on “imaginative and innovative” titles that inspire kids to learn through fun.
The most impressive of the new imprint’s titles is a 3D print that teaches readers how to make a car. Other notable titles include the new Wonder Book, an interactive picture book that encourages readers to imagine their own stories.
One of the most important pieces of news is that Odd Dot’s current editorial director, Daniel Nayeri, has decided to buck the trend and write full-time. Nayeri is the author of the Printz Award-winning Everything Sad Is Untrue, which was named the best children’s fiction book of the year by the Book Industry Study Group. He will take on the task of overseeing Odd Dot’s new book and magazine line. He will also continue to lead the company’s renowned children’s book list and to direct its literary division. The other big change is the promotion of Nathalie Le Du, formerly editorial director at Workman Publishing’s children’s group, to the top spot.
Quill Tree Books/HC
A new imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books has a lot of buzz. Heartdrum, a Native-focused label, is headed by v-p and editorial director Rosemary Brosnan. The company has also launched a new division, Phenomenal Media Books, to publish works from underrepresented voices in both fiction and nonfiction.
This year has been a big one for book publishing. Despite the fact that many major publishers are still laying off employees, a number of exciting new additions are making their mark in the industry. It’s no secret that publishers are always trying to come up with a new and innovative way to tell their stories and engage their audiences, especially in an age where e-books are dominating the market. Here are some of the most notable movers and shakers to watch out for in the coming months:
The name-brand names haven’t been forgotten. A few of the biggest players have been making moves of their own, so keep an eye out for their new products and services over the next few months.
Random House Children’s
Random House Children’s Books publishes picture books, graphic novels and novels for preschool children through young adult readers. They are part of Penguin Random House, one of the world’s most acclaimed publishing houses.
They have 20 imprints spanning a wide variety of subjects, writers and creators with a mission to entertain, educate and inspire readers for generations. They include Dragonfly, Ember, Laurel-Leaf, Little Golden Books, Make Me A World, Princeton Review, Random House for Young Readers, Random House Graphic, Rodale Kids, Schwartz & Wade Books and Sylvan Learning.
Their catalog features more than 130 themes and 10 holidays and can be searched by theme or age. You can also sign up for their Read & Play newsletter for age-by-age recommendations, discounts, news about upcoming books and literacy activities.
One of the most iconic children’s books ever written is Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. It’s a simple children’s book that has made an impact on popular culture and is very collectible – the most expensive first edition to sell on AbeBooks was $11,000 in 2015.