Last fall, in advance of the publication of my second novel, The Ten Year Affair, I began receiving a steady trickle of odd emails offering to help promote my book. The trickle soon became a deluge. Dozens and dozens of self-described marketing experts and people running book clubs reaching out, praising my book woodenly in obvious AI syntax, and then soliciting a fee for services. “I recently came across your upcoming novel, The Ten Year Affair,” read a typical email, “and was instantly drawn to its clever, emotionally layered premise. The dual-timeline exploration of connection, choice, and fantasy feels deeply relatable […]
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WH Smith Drops to 16-Year-Low on Profit Warning, Capital Raise
WH Smith’s stock fell well over 15 percent in Wednesday trading after the company warned of soft sales and profit expectations for the second time this year. “Given the ongoing uncertainty from the Middle East conflict and pressures on gross margins, including the recent deterioration in the North America division,” the company expects profit before tax and non-underlying items of £75 million – £90 million. That’s down from a previous forecast of £90 million to £105 million issued in April, when they suspended their dividend. Due to restructuring across various parts of the company, they expect to take “a significant […]
Amazon’s Best Books of 2026 So Far
Amazon named its 20 Best Books of the Year So Far, with Kin by Tayari Jones at No. 1. The package includes lists across twelve categories such as romantasy, memoir & biography, nonfiction and more. The full overall list: Kin, by Tayari Jones London Falling, by Patrick Radden Keefe Yesteryear, by Caro Claire Burke Strangers, by Belle Burden Night Objects, by Eli Raphael Land, by Maggie O’Farrell American Men, by Jordan Ritter Conn Cherry Baby, by Rainbow Rowell Nothing Tastes as Good, by Luke Dumas Crux, by Gabriel Tallent Transcription, by Ben Lerner Famesick, by Lena Dunham A Far-flung Life, by M.L. Stedman Five, by Ilona Bannister Into the Blue, […]
Obituary: David C. Nelson
David C. Nelson, 78, died in New York City on April 26 from complications of dementia. He began his publishing career at Micawber’s Books and the wholesaler Bookman in the Twin Cities before joining Viking Penguin as a Midwest sales representative in 1978 and rose to become vp, director of sales for adult hardcover and children’s books in 1991. Thereafter, his roles included vp, director of sales at Harcourt Brace; vp and publisher at Beaufort Books; executive editor at Sterling Publishing, where he founded the Ethos imprint; and finally literary agent at Waterside Productions. A celebration in his memory will […]
Cruz Leaves NYTBR to Become NYT’s First “Canon Editor”
The well-regarded editor of the New York Times Book Review since mid-2022 Gilbert Cruz is leaving his position for another job at the newspaper. Tina Jordan will serve as interim editor while the paper looks “for the next editor of The Book Review in the coming months.” Cruz is taking new, and new-fangled, role of Canon Editor. “Gilbert will build a team dedicated to expanding our embrace of those moments when we invite experts and readers alike to help us declare the definitive works in a given discipline. While The Times will continue to publish an array of news-driven lists throughout […]
Imprints: Penguin Workshop’s Tinker
Penguin Workshop will launch Tinker, a new publishing program, starting with six titles in spring 2027. Publisher Daniel Moreton and editorial director Nick Magliato will lead the line, with art direction by Lynn Portnoff. Tinker will publish “commercial design-forward board and picture books ‘built for play’ for readers ages 0-10,” featuring everything from “accordion die-cuts to pop-up alphabet books—to books that transform into steering wheels, where the book itself becomes the toy.”