Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov, translated from Bulgarian by Angela Rodel, won the International Booker Prize.
Archives for May 2023
Imprints: Open Road’s Re-Discovery Lit
Open Road has launched an imprint devoted to republishing out-of-print and reverted titles, Re-Discovery Lit. They expect to reissue about 200 titles a year, publishing primarily in ebook format, though titles will be available in print-on-demand editions as well. Mara Anastas, who is publisher of the imprint, says in the announcement, “Agents and writers everywhere have been excited to learn of this new opportunity for out-of-print and reverted works.” Authors on the list include Barbara Delinsky, Clifford D. Simak, Roger Angell, Alan Dean Foster, and Ronald Malfi. An agreement with Alloy Entertainment brings back series including Melinda Metz’s YA Fingerprints […]
AALA Day Keynote: Slow Progress At B&N
Tuesday was AALA (Association of American Literary Agents) day at the US Book Show, and Barnes & Noble ceo James Daunt gave the keynote, noting as usual that the chain is working to make stores more individualized, but progress is slow. Highlighting areas of weakness that the retailer still plans to address, he mentioned backlist stock and the store’s website. “We happen to have a very old platform,” he said about the latter. “It’s needs a lot of work.” Overall, the chain continues to work on empowering individual stores to arrange and restock according to the needs of their specific […]
People 5/23
At Harper, Yelena Nesbit has been promoted to executive director, publicity. Kate D’Esmond has been promoted to senior director, publicity.
UK Gets New Coffee-Sponsored Book Awards
Following the demise of the Costa Book Awards in 2022, UK chain Caffe Nero is launching the Nero Book Awards, in four categories: debut fiction, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s fiction. The first shortlist will be announced in November, and the winners will be named in January 2024, honoring writing from the UK and Ireland. Former director of the Costa Awards Amanda Johnson will run the new program, which is being administered by the Booksellers Association, working in partnership with Brunel University London and Right To Dream.
Federal Government Warns GA Schools About Book Ban Discussions
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights intervened in a Georgia county, finding that the removal of books about BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people “violated federal laws against race and sex discrimination,” the AP reports. The government’s argument was not about the book removals themselves, but the way the books in question were discussed in school board meetings. “Communications at board meetings conveyed the impression that books were being screened to exclude diverse authors and characters, including people who are LGBTQI+ and authors who are not white, leading to increased fears and possibly harassment,” the DOE wrote. According to […]