Nine of the ten authors longlisted for the $75,000 PEN/Jean Stein Award have withdrawn their books from consideration, as part of a continued boycott of PEN America over the organization’s response to the war in Gaza. Camille Dungy’s SOIL is currently the book that remains. In a statement provided by her publisher, Dungy said, “Right now in America, book bans are increasing at an alarming rate. In states like the one where I live—Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Iowa—such bans are putting young people at risk, particularly Black, Brown, queer, and trans youths who can’t access books that represent and affirm who […]
Archives for April 2024
Imprints: JVL Media
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon have announced the creation of a new publisher, JVL Media, created with author and publisher and Davis’s co-publisher on her memoir, Lavaille Lavette. Davis says in the announcement, “This endeavor embodies our collective aspiration—to champion and elevate voices that resonate with authenticity and are often overlooked. Our mission is to interlace a rich mosaic venerates the enduring heritage of storytellers from diverse walks of life.” The company says in fall 2025 it “will expand its literary repertoire to include an array of children’s books and young adult titles.” The first announced titles Had […]
NYPL Young Lions Finalists
The NYPL named finalists for its Young Lions prize, with the winner to be named on June 13.
People 4/18
Emilia Rhodes joins Atria as executive editor, reporting to Lindsay Sagnette. Most recently, Rhodes developed a graphic novel publishing program with Webtoon.
Harper to Create AI Audioboooks of Some Foreign Language Titles
Harper Collins will create AI audiobooks of select foreign language backlist titles, working with text-to-speech software company ElevenLabs. “The agreement will lead to the production of audio versions of select deep backlist series books that would not otherwise have been created.” ElevenLabs’ interface can create an audiobook in about an hour that will, according to Harper, “reflect the emotion, intonation, and pacing of the written word in audio, delivering a high-quality experience that sounds human,” the Bookseller reports. A release from ElevenLabs states that “HarperCollins will continue to devote time and resources to voice actor-led productions which are intrinsic to […]
Forthcoming: THE ART OF POWER by Nancy Pelosi
Simon & Schuster will publish THE ART OF POWER by former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on August 6. The book focuses on her time in the house, and includes a personal account of January 6. S&S vp and editor-in-chief Priscilla Painton acquired world rights, sold by Mollie Glick and David Larabell at CAA. Pelosi will also narrate the audiobook.