New Publisher Listing: Cherry Lake Publishing Group
firstwriter.com – Friday September 6, 2024
We are a publisher of quality children’s books. We publish a wide range of books, including board books, beginning readers, picture books, and select middle grade titles. We accept both fiction and nonfiction submissions. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and welcome stories from diverse authors. Please browse our website or catalog for examples of the types of books we publish.
Unwin Awards submissions open in inaugural year
thebookseller.com – Thursday September 5, 2024
The Unwin Award has today announced that submissions are now open for the inaugural year of this new literary award recognising non-fiction authors in the earlier stages of their careers whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world.
The award, administered by the Publishers Association, aims to "champion and showcase the value of the UK publishing industry to the world". The Unwin Award has been made possible following a donation from the Unwin Charitable Trust.
Worth £10,000, the winner of The Unwin Award will be awarded to the author for their overall body of work (comprising no more than three non-fiction books), rather than being associated with a specific title.
The award will be judged by an independent panel of judges, which will be announced shortly, with a shortlist revealed in February 2025 and the winner at a ceremony in April 2025.
UK publishers are now invited to submit up to three authors per imprint that fulfil the submission criteria: full information on The Unwin Award eligibility and submission guidelines can be found here.
Why NaNoWriMo supports AI for use in writing in some cases
venturebeat.com – Tuesday September 3, 2024
The organization’s official statement highlights the complexity of AI as a broad technological category, making it difficult to entirely endorse or reject. It also underscores the social implications of AI use, suggesting that to oppose AI outright ignores the realities of class and ability disparities.
According to NaNoWriMo, some writers may turn to AI for practical reasons, such as financial constraints or cognitive challenges that make traditional writing methods less accessible.
As NaNoWriMo’s statement explains: “Not all writers have the financial ability to hire humans to help at certain phases of their writing. For some writers, the decision to use AI is a practical, not an ideological, one. The financial ability to engage a human for feedback and review assumes a level of privilege that not all community members possess.”
The organization also points out that underrepresented minorities are less likely to secure traditional publishing deals, which forces many into the indie author space where upfront costs can be prohibitive. AI tools, in these cases, might provide essential support that enables them to pursue their writing goals.
Black Crow Books: new horror publisher aims to open up 'booming' genre to everyone
thebookseller.com – Tuesday September 3, 2024
Black Crow Books, the new horror-dedicated publisher launching next year, is reportedly off to a strong start as its co-directors say they have already received an "insane" number of submissions, despite announcing the new press only last month.
Jamie-Lee Nardone, publisher and co-director, will helm the new independent alongside Matt Holland, founder of special-edition publisher and online bookshop The Broken Binding. “I don’t think we could do it without each other,” Nardone told The Bookseller.
Last year, the horror genre recorded its biggest year since accurate records began, with a 54% year-on-year increase in value reported by Nielsen BookScan. Submissions in the genre have also been on the rise. Black Crow Books is a response to the “booming” genre and Nardone’s desire to “open” the genre “up to everyone”. She continued: “I think there is a need [in the industry] for people who really understand the genre, to know what they’re looking at.”
Nardone, who has "always been a massive horror fan", is looking to publish titles “that might get overlooked or explore something that isn’t trendy”. She added: "We’re not going to be ticking boxes." Unlike some larger publishers, she said, the smaller independent will have the agility, “the freedom and the expertise to work on passion projects that might get overlooked by bigger publishers”.
Sebes & Bisseling hires four new agents as part of major expansion
thebookseller.com – Monday September 2, 2024
Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency has hired four new agents across its English and Scandanavian offices. Sam Birmingham, William Crona, Elizabeth DeNoma, and Pär Sjölinder join Haico Kaashoek, who was appointed to the London office in 2023.
Birmingham and DeNoma work from New York and Seattle, respectively, while Crona, a Swede who has lived in the UK for most of his life, works from Stockholm, as does Pär Sjölinder. The four new agents report to Paul Sebes and Rik Kleuver.
Birmingham and DeNoma represent Anglophone authors from North America, Australia, and the UK, as well as writers from various European languages. Crona represents Scandinavian authors writing in their native language or in English, as well as UK-based authors. Pär Sjölinder focuses solely on Scandinavian authors.
Birmingham specialises in a diverse array of non-fiction and select fiction, and his clientele includes cultural critics, academics, journalists, and influencers.
New Literary Agent Listing: Jessica Leeke
firstwriter.com – Monday September 2, 2024
Represents book club fiction with global appeal and upmarket general fiction.
Agatha Christie’s holiday home set to host new writing workshops
bude-today.co.uk – Saturday August 31, 2024
THE National Trust are hosting a range of writing workshops at Greenway House, near Galmpton in Devon, this September to encourage the next generation of budding writers.
The taster workshops include a crime fiction workshop with Cate Quinn, bestselling thriller writer and journalist, and a series of workshops from Jenny Kane, award-winning contemporary women’s author including young adult and short stories.
Lauren Hutchinson, senior marketing and communications officer, said: “The house and garden at Greenway inspired Agatha Christie in a number of her novels, and it continues to inspire people today.
“We’re passionate about building on the literary legacy here at Greenway, and with the recent rise in romantasy and young adult fiction, it’s wonderful to host this series of workshops that caters to all genres and tastes.”
A M Heath reveals plans for 'significant growth' with key promotions
thebookseller.com – Thursday August 29, 2024
A M Heath has revealed "significant" plans for growth at the literary agency, with a series of promotions and career moves.
Bill Hamilton will take on the newly created role of chairman from 1st September.
Hamilton oversaw the evolution of the agency into a significant presence in London publishing, representing prize-winning novelists, historians, journalists and estates, including that of George Orwell. Hamilton will oversee the next phase of A M Heath’s expansion.
Meanwhile, Victoria Hobbs has been promoted to managing director. She joined A M Heath in 1999, and has established a large list of clients including Women’s Prize for Fiction winners Maggie O’Farrell and Kamila Shamsie; Conn Iggulden and Tim Shipman.
Hamilton said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to see Victoria stepping up to managing director. She has been essential to the agency’s growth and success, bringing wonderful clients and inspiring us all with her passionate advocacy for them.”
Big publishing houses are broken
postandcourier.com – Wednesday August 28, 2024
I was at a Barnes & Noble signing books. A man came up. “You wouldn’t believe my life. I’m going to write a best seller someday,” he said.
“Go home, sit down, and start writing,” I told him. I knew he wouldn’t, but some do, and some craft excellent works that die at the hands of dream killers. Big publishing turns away fresh voices, the talented, and veteran writers. Kudos to Elle Griffin for her exposé, “No One Buys Books.” It reveals the brokenness of the big publishing industry.
In 2022, Penguin Random House wanted to buy Simon & Schuster. The two would have made up 48 percent of the market share. Sensing a monopoly, the Justice Department’s Anti Trust Division brought a case against Penguin. A 13-day trial resulted, during which the head of every major publishing house and literary agency testified. Their disclosures painted a landscape of hopelessness. U.S. District Court Judge Florence Y. Pan blocked the $2.2 billion purchase, elating Stephen King who objected to the merger.
NPR reported, “For Penguin Random House and the New York-based publishing world, the trial in August proved an often uncomfortable airing of business practices, internal disagreements and missed opportunities. Executives on the stand spoke of bestselling works they failed to acquire and acknowledged that most books don’t make money.”
How To Earn Side Income As A Published Author: 5 Key Considerations
forbes.com – Wednesday August 28, 2024
Turning your writing into a side income can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re looking to pursue traditional or self-publishing, the process requires more than just a passion for writing. This article covers the key considerations to help you succeed, from the right publication path and importance of marketing, to realistic financial expectations, brand development, and the non-income benefits of being an author.
1. Choosing Your Path To Publication
Getting your book published is one of the toughest challenges for any aspiring author. The path from manuscript to print can be intimidating, especially in traditional publishing, where competition is fierce and success rates are low. Literary agents receive thousands of submissions, but only a tiny fraction—around 1 to 2%—get accepted.
As author Lauren E. Todd explains, “Literary agents get tens of thousands of queries every year, so it’s like, here’s my book in a sea of 20,000 submissions. The odds are very low.” This reality can be a tough pill to swallow for new writers trying to break into the industry.
If the traditional route seems too complex or restrictive, self-publishing is a solid alternative. It lets you skip the gatekeepers and bring your book directly to readers. It offers more creative freedom, faster publication, and potentially higher profits. However, it also means you’re responsible for everything—from writing to editing to marketing—which can be time-consuming and expensive.
The choice between these paths depends on your goals and resources. Traditional publishing offers professional validation and wider distribution but is a long and uncertain process. You need a strong query letter, a polished manuscript, and thorough research on an agent.
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