404 Ink publishing house to close
list.co.uk – Sunday July 13, 2025
Ten years since its inception, award-winning Scottish book publisher 404 Ink has announced it will close next summer. Established in July 2016 by Heather McDaid and Laura Jones-Rivera, 404 Ink has published books by authors including Chris McQueer, Helen McClory and Nadine Aisha Jassat. Last July, the publisher released Victor & Barry’s Kelvinside Compendium by Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson. When we spoke to Laura in February, she talked about some of the struggles the industry is facing.
The publishers described their first book, Nasty Women (inspired by Donald Trump’s infamous description of Hilary Clinton during the US presidential debate in 2016), as ‘a collection of essays, interviews and accounts on what it is to be a woman in the 21st century’. Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood backed the book's Kickstarter appeal, describing it as ‘an essential window into many of the hazard-strewn worlds younger women are living in right now.’ We awarded 404 Ink the top spot in our annual Hot 100 in 2017.
Their ambitious, non-fiction Inklings series, described as ‘small books with a big impact’, is responsible for dozens of titles covering subjects as diverse as colonialism, foot fetishism, Doctor Who, women in hip hop, and the relationship between apocalyptic fiction and contemporary society.
Agents Help YA Authors Find Crossover Success
publishersweekly.com – Sunday July 13, 2025
Not long ago, authors were generally encouraged to stay in their lanes, writing-wise, in order to build name recognition and audiences. Not so anymore.
“We’re seeing more YA authors step into adult spaces—and when that move is intentional and well aligned, publishers are paying attention,” says Regina Brooks, president of Serendipity Literary Agency.
There might be more than one reason for the shift. “For certain genres—such as fantasy and romantic fantasy—the borders between YA and adult have seemed to blur,” says Peter Knapp, an agent and partner at Park, Fine & Brower. “We are finding we often have projects that might land on either a YA list or an adult list.”
Is category hopping only for high-profile authors? Not necessarily. “A strong voice and loyal readership can travel across categories, but it’s not a given,” Brooks says. “Even established YA names have to show that their adult work stands on its own. Brand equity can buy you creative freedom—but not a blank check. Publishers are still weighing risk, and they’re most receptive when the pivot feels organic and makes sense for the market.”
Writing Advice and Literary Wisdom from the Great E.B. White
lithub.com – Saturday July 12, 2025
E.B. White, beloved children’s author (Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan), innovative and revered essayist, and co-editor of the indispensable The Elements of Style, celebrates a birthday today. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on July 11, 1899. A deeply private man, White, whose full name was Elwyn Brooks White (his Cornell University nickname was “Andy”), had an abiding love for nature and ecology, most evident in his children’s books and essays.
His first publication appeared in The New Yorker in 1925. He went on to become a contributing editor for the magazine in 1927; in this capacity he wrote over 1800 articles. He was credited by famed New Yorker editor William Shawn for inventing a new literary form—the magazine’s “Comment” essay: often personal, incorporating the writer’s first person experience, while also being critical and incisive, as well as accessible to a wide readership. E.B. White loved writing, and given his prolificacy across multiple genres, this versatile wordsmith had some sage advice when it came to craft. Here are some of his most interesting thoughts on writing, creativity, and the majesty of the written word.
Submission Grinder Delists Analog
locusmag.com – Saturday July 12, 2025
Analog Science Fiction & Fact has been delisted on The Submission Grinder due to new terms in the magazine’s recent contracts. Steven Salpeter of parent company Must Read Books has responded that they “are going to be in touch with the folks at the submission grinder to try to resolve the issue.”
According to the the listing, The Submission Grinder has concerns about Analog contract terms “including sublicensing to unnamed other publications, and waiving of moral rights”. This is consistent with the site’s FAQ, which includes “A publication asks for the right to sublicense the work to other publications without…specific approval from the author” and “A publication asks the writer to waive their ‘moral rights'” as possible reasons for delisting.
New Magazine Listing: Blackbox Manifold
firstwriter.com – Friday July 11, 2025
We welcome submissions of previously unpublished reviews, short essays, and poems, particularly poems with prose, narrative, or sequences in their sights, or poems with an environmental slant. We're particularly keen to have short essays on poetic sequences. We don’t accept work that is simultaneously being submitted elsewhere. Before sending us material, please familiarise yourself with the journal to see if your work will jostle well with the other texts we’ve published.
New Literary Agent Listing: Ciara McEllin
firstwriter.com – Thursday July 10, 2025
I read widely across book club, upmarket and literary fiction. Within these areas, I am drawn to novels that examine family and relationship dynamics, sexuality, identity, and vulnerability. I am keen to hear from writers who take a fresh approach to these themes, whether that be a new perspective on a traditional narrative or a focus on characters and voices that remain underrepresented. At the moment I am particularly eager to see: sexy, sensual and seductive stories that explore desire and sexual boundaries not often represented; an atmospheric and existential thriller; an intoxicating coming of-age-tale that captures the aliveness, intelligence and wildness of girlhood; stories exploring an Australia or Ireland that is rarely seen in literature. In nonfiction, I enjoy narrative, memoir and essay collections. I am interested in hearing from experts, academics, critics and journalists writing about society, culture and food, and I am excited by writers seeking to revise, reshape or revolutionise the conversation in their area of expertise.
New Publisher Listing: Red Planet Books
firstwriter.com – Wednesday July 9, 2025
An independent publishing company based in Cornwall specialising in books about music.
The Secrets to Writing Unforgettable Villains
nofilmschool.com – Tuesday July 8, 2025
When you're working on a screenplay, you spend so much time making sure the hero pops out and the plot makes sense that oftentimes, the villains can be left behind.
But if you want a movie or a TV show to really stand out in the audience's mind, or attract some great actors, you need the villain to be unforgettable.
Today, I want to look into the YouTube video I watched about how screenwriter James A. Hurst works to create memorable villains.
Let's dive in.
Create an Unforgettable Villain
Look, screenwriting is hard. It can take me forever to finish a script and to really craft it in a way that connects with an audience.
So if people have "tricks" or "shortcuts" to do this stuff, I'm all ears. That's why I was pumped to watch this video.
New Literary Agency Listing: Betancourt Literary
firstwriter.com – Monday July 7, 2025
We believe powerful storytelling deserves powerful support. Our agency is dedicated to representing bold voices and unforgettable narratives in mystery, psychological thrillers, romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, and select non-fiction.
The agency was founded by a USA Today bestselling mystery author and experienced publishing professional. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and is currently earning her J.D., bringing both creativity and legal insight to the business of books. Her many years of writing experience allows her to advocate strategically and compassionately for the authors she represents.
She created this agency with a single mission: to empower authors. Whether you're seeking your first publishing deal or are ready to elevate your career, we offer the transparency, guidance, and enthusiasm every writer deserves.
We don’t just shop books—we build careers.
New Literary Agent Listing: Gabrielle Demblon
firstwriter.com – Wednesday July 2, 2025
I’m looking for literary and upmarket fiction, particularly with queer themes or from unusual / underrepresented perspectives, as well as select thrillers and nonfiction. I’m open to debut authors at all life stages. I’m looking for literary speculative/high concept fiction from queer/female/transnational perspectives. In crime, I’m looking for a fun, pulpy thriller with a high concept twist or standout setting. In nonfiction, I’m drawn to popular science, politics, and true crime. I’m also looking to work with experts and influencers specialising in personal style, nutrition, psychology, relationships, personal finance, career guidance, parenting and alternative family formation.
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