- 2017 Nov 17
Ridout Resigns From Head of Zeus
CEO Amanda Ridout has resigned from her position, and will be leaving the company at the end of the month.
Donna Tartt Drops Her Agent
The author has left agent Amanda “Binky” Urban after Urban landed Tartt a $3 million deal for the movie rights to 'The Goldfinch.'
St. Louis Publisher to Begin Again
After 200,000 books—the publisher's entire stock—burned in a warehouse fire in St. Louis on Wednesday, Reedy Press moves on.
Writers Watch the Tax Reform Bills
The proposed tax reform bills moving through Congress could help artists and writers in some ways—and hurt them in others.
Annie Proulx's NBA Speech
The writer gave one of the best speeches in recent memory, with a gleefully ironic conclusion and a gloom grounded in current events.
- 2017 Nov 16
States Come for Amazon's Taxes
Thirsty for the millions of dollars in unpaid sales taxes revenue on items sold through Amazon, states are coming for their money.
Hudson Group Files for IPO
The Dufry Group has announced that wholly-owned subsidiary Hudson Ltd. has filed for an IPO of its Class A common shares.
A New Chandler Story Found
A newly discovered Raymond Chandler story has everything from an indictment of the medical industry to some mysterious scribble.
Reedy Press Books Burn In SL
The small St. Louis–based publishing company had leased space in a warehouse that burned down yesterday, where hundreds of titles likely burned.
The Poet of Ill Tidings
Bertolt Brecht’s poetry captured a world torn apart by war and depression with a decidedly anti-Nazi bent.
- 2017 Nov 15
The Slave Memoir That Hooked Japan
How a translation of a 19th-century American slave memoir is becoming a bestseller in Japanese bookstores.
Seamus Heaney's Precious Faxes
Fintan O’Toole, the Nobel laureate's biographer, said he is anxious to record surviving documents before they fade.
Louise Erdrich, Great American Novelist
Erdrich, who publishes her 16th novel this month, has built one of the most impressive bodies of work by any American writer alive.
How to Shape a Story
Three structural guides by three famous writers that provide templates for good writing in literature, theater, and film and TV.
Ten Overlooked Novels Finding New Life
A list of ten unexpected classics, released in new editions (or, in some cases, new translations) over the last few years.
- 2017 Nov 14
A Bittersweet Return
A writer reflects on reading favorite children's books as an adult.
Paterson's Picks
Katherine Paterson's middle grade and YA recommendations.
The Creative Process
A look at how three illustrators develop their work.
Lessons of 'Golden Compass' Movie
A look at possible reasons why "The Golden Compass" movie wasn't a success.
The Books that Never Were
John Green talks about the books he abandoned before writing "Turtles All the Way Down."
A Year in the Life of Lerner
It's been a big year for Lerner Publishing.
Jeffers on Writing and Raising a Son
Oliver Jeffers discusses how raising his child has influenced his work.
'Wonder' and Representation
Some critics are questioning why "Wonder" doesn't star a child with facial differences.
Julia Roberts on 'Wonder'
An interview with Julia Roberts about her role in the "Wonder" film.
Lessons of Barbara Cooney
A writer reflects on the legacy and lessons of Barbara Cooney.
Bezos Bets on Middle Earth
Amazon has closed a rumored $250 million deal for global TV rights to J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings.'
The Dark Side of DC Comics
At least two female employees at the comics giant accused a top editor of trying to forcibly kiss or grope them. He was promoted anyway.
Radhika Jones Is Ready to Go
The 'New York Times' books desk editorial director will become the sixth editor of 'Vanity Fair' since its founding in 1913.
Ten Books That Changed the World
From the 'Epic of Gilgamesh' to the 'Communist Manifesto,' ten works that ensured the world would never be the same.
Latin America's Knausgaardian Answer
Richard Piglia and his alter ego, Emilio Renzi, give Karl Ove Knausgaard a run for his self-exhuming literary money.
- 2017 Nov 13
Australian Pub Pulls Book in China
A book published by Allen & Ulwin alleging wide Chinese influence on institutions in Australia has been pulled, feeding censorship fears.
'Vanity Fair' to Tap Radhika Jones
The short-lived editorial director of the 'New York Times' books desk is said to be the top choice to succeed Graydon Carter.
Gal Gadot Might Leave 'Wonder Woman'
The star of the DC Comics adaptation will bail on future projects if director, producer, and accused harasser Brett Ratner isn't fired.
How to Adapt a Short Story for TV
The promising pilot of the George Saunders adaptation 'Sea Oak'—which he wrote and co-produced—debuts on Amazon.
All Hail Agatha Christie
With several upcoming and recent adaptations and two biopics in development, it's once again time to pay tribute to the Queen of Crime.
Cooking with Zora Neale Hurston
In the fourth installment of the Eat Your Words column at the 'Paris Review,' Valerie Stivers makes meals from 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.'
- 2017 Nov 10
Harassment in the U.K. Book Trade
Just over half of the 388 respondents to a 'Bookseller' survey on sexual harassment reported abuse in-trade.
Netflix Reaps the Comics Rewards
Netflix’s first acquisition, the Scottish comic-book publisher Millarworld, has become a breeding ground for stories to adapt.
A 'Hamilton' Love Triangle of Books
A new anthology from three romance authors features three novellas connected by the character of Alexander's wife, Eliza.
A Poetry Volume Grown on the Vine
A couple has published a book of poetry based on vines and inspired by Rupi Kaur's 'Milk and Honey.' It's an Amazon bestseller.
10 Novels Agents Don't Want
Looking for inspiration? Don’t go with any of these pitches, which literary agents have already seen a billion times.
- 2017 Nov 09
Some Relevant Reads
Books about financial hardship.
Teen Readers Recommend
A high school librarian shares the books that teens at his school recommend.
New Harry Potter Game
"Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" game set to debut in 2018.
YA Inspiration
A look at 18 inspiring YA books for #NaNoWriMo.
The Powerful Princess
A writer looks at several empowering books for readers in a "princess phase."
'Stars Beneath Our Feet' Film
Michael B. Jordan is set to direct "The Stars Beneath Our Feet."
A Final 'Paddington'
The last Paddington book will be published in 2018.
Writers on Twitter's 280 Characters
Stephen King had some choice words, J.K. Rowling sees it as undermining the platform's whole point, and more.
Waterstones Book of the Year Shortlist
Philip Pullman’s 'La Belle Sauvage' and George Saunders's Man Booker Prize-winner 'Lincoln in the Bardo' are both in the running.
Joe Biden's 'Promise'
The former vice president writes about facing the death of his son Beau, deciding not to pursue a presidential run, and more in his new memoir.
Rogen to Adapt Garth Ennis...Again
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg will direct an eight-episode adaptation of 'The Boys' for Amazon.
The First Navajo-English Dictionary
On annotating the first page of the dictionary, which was first compiled in 1958 by an official in the U.S. government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- 2017 Nov 08
A Chinese E-Book IPO Success
Tencent's China Literature opened for trading in Hong Kong this morning as the largest tech IPO at the exchange since Alibaba in 2007.
Bendis Leaves Marvel for DC
Brian Michael Bendis, one of Marvel’s most prolific writers, is moving over to DC Comics.
Gay Talese Steps In It...Again
The journalist and author wants to write about Kevin Spacey, and says the actor's accusers should "suck it up" over his "indiscretions."
Who Will Win the Neustadt Prize?
The biannual prize, which will be announced on Thursday, has a big U.S. and South Asian presence on its shortlist this year.
Orwell Returns to Loom Over BBC
A larger-than-life statue of the author and former BBC employee has been unveiled outside Broadcasting House in London.
- 2017 Nov 07
Selznick Visits Panorama
An article about Brian Selznick visiting the NYC panorama featured in "Wonderstruck."
Tracey Hecht on 'Nocturnals'
An interview with author Tracey Hecht.
Dealing with Addiction in Kid-Lit
A look at books that discuss addiction.
A Busy Time for Jason Reynolds
A story on author Jason Reynolds.
The First Youth Poet Laureate
About Amanda Gorman.
International Cat Books
Cat books from around the globe.
Carnegie and Greenaway Nominations
The CILIP Kate Greenaway and Carnegie nominations.
The Legacy of 'Cricket' Magazine
A look at the history of "Cricket" magazine.
YA and Queer Disabled Characters
An article discusses YA books that feature queer and disabled characters.
Marissa Meyer's Superheroes
Marissa Meyer discusses "Renegades."
Paladin Press to Close After 50 Years
The Colorado-based gun publisher, media house, and distributor is closing its doors at the end of the year.
Philip Roth on Half a Century of Words
Via email, Roth shares a few thoughts on his new collection of nonfiction with his publisher, Library of America.
Can Kevin Young Make Poems Matter Again?
He’s written about Prince and our love affair with fake news—and he's just been named to one of the premier posts in American letters.
Joe Hill Is His Own Writer
How do you make a name for yourself when your dad is the Master of Horror himself, Stephen King?
Finding the Queer in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Eight queer speculative fiction collections, from hard science fiction to lesbian romance set in space to stories about witches and more.
- 2017 Nov 06
A 'Lord of the Rings' for TV?
Warner Bros. and the Tolkien estate are in talks with Amazon to develop a series. Jeff Bezos is said to be personally involved in the negotiations.
Nancy Friday Dies at 84
The author, whose books about gender politics helped redefine American women’s sexuality and social identity, died on Sunday at her home in Manhattan.
Roxane Gay to Edit 'Not That Bad'
The anthology of "dispatches from rape culture" aims to address the routine levels of abuse faced by women.
The 'New Yorker' for Children
Kids in the ’70s needed a magazine that didn’t underestimate them, and they still do. That's where 'Cricket Magazine' came in.
The Woman Who Translated the 'Odyssey'
The classicist Emily Wilson is the first woman to translate Homer's epic into English—and she has given it a radically contemporary voice.
- 2017 Nov 03
Milo Inc. Loses Its Funding
Billionaire funder Robert Mercer has pulled his financial support from Milo Yiannopoulos and severed financial ties with Breitbart.
Welsh Novels Enjoy 'Golden Age'
Despite news that sales have fallen dramatically, the Welsh Books Council’s chief says that the Welsh-language sector is showing real growth.
Help a Robot Write a First Line
This neural network is trying to start a novel, but like human writers, it’s only as good as what it reads.
The Editor as Enabler
Most of what American readers love about Raymond Carver is not the work of Carver at all, but of Gordon Lish. Does that matter?
How Polley Found 'Grace'
Actress Sarah Polley first picked up Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace' when she was 17 years old. Today, decades later, her adaptation hits Netflix.
- 2017 Nov 02
Mighty Girl Detectives
A look at detective stories starring strong and smart girl characters.
Being a Berenstain Bear
A writer reflects on doing voice work for the character of Sister Bear.
My Pal, John Green
A reader reacts to "Turtles All the Way Down."
'Problematic' Content and Online Bullies
A writer discusses the recent controversy relating to Kirkus's withdraw of a starred review.
'Paper Bag Princess' Film in Works
Elizabeth Banks and Margot Robbie are making a movie based on "The Paper Bag Princess."
YA Movies of 2018
A look at upcoming movies based on YA books.
The Timeliness of 'The Lorax'
Following the release of a new play, a look at the continued relevance of "The Lorax."
Seuss Racial Stereotypes
A discussion of the racist imagery in Dr. Seuss.
Sotomayor to Publish Three Kids' Books
The Supreme Court Justice is working on three books for young people, Penguin Young Readers told the Associated Press on Thursday.
'The Paper Bag Princess' to Be Filmed
Elizabeth Banks and Margot Robbie team up to adapt the feminist 1980 children's book that upended fairytale princess stereotypes.
Seeking a Voice, via a Bilingual MFA
A peek inside the only bilingual M.F.A. creative writing program in the U.S., at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Ta-Nehisi Coates's Civil War Syllabus
The author lays out five books to "make you less stupid about the Civil War" following White House Chief of Staff John Kelly's latest gaffe.
How Long Is Writing Supposed to Take?
Some books take years to write, others months. Can we learn to accept the inefficiency and unpredictability of writing?
- 2017 Nov 01
Halperin's Writing Partner Reacts
John Heilemann, co-writer of the Game Change series, is “shocked” by the sexual harassment accusations against Mark Halperin.
Springer Nature Bows to Chinese Censors
The largest publisher of academic books is restricting access to articles on topics banned by Chinese authorities, according to a new report.
Coursera Fires 13 Percent of Staff
Five months after receiving over $60 million in new investments, the online education platform has ousted top-level executives and other staffers.
Turks Take Refuge in Libraries
Amid political uncertainty and terror, public library memberships in Turkey are on the rise, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.