
Aphelion celebrates its 20th birthday
firstwriter.com – Saturday January 14, 2017

Aphelion: The Webzine of Science Fiction and Fantasy began it's run as a non-profit, free webzine promoting new and upcoming writers in February, 1997. On February 5th, 2017, Aphelion will celebrate the publication's 20th birthday. The magazine is still provided for free, and without ads or subscriptions. To mark this anniversary, the magazine will feature "Best Of" selections from throughout it's long history in each issue during the year, in addition to its usual fiction offerings.

Crowdfunded small-press prize announces inaugural shortlist
theguardian.com – Thursday January 12, 2017

A prize designed to reward “brave, bold and brilliant” literature from small presses that raised its purse from crowdfunding has announced its inaugural shortlist of eight titles.
The Republic of Consciousness prize was set up by award-winning novelist Neil Griffiths with a personal donation of £2,000. Open to imprints based in the UK, Commonwealth and Ireland, short-form and long-form fiction is eligible for the award, which splits the prize money between the winning authors and their publishers.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) Names Maria A. Pallante as President and CEO
businesswire.com – Thursday January 12, 2017

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of American Publishers (AAP) announced today that the former United States Register of Copyrights, Maria A. Pallante, will succeed Tom Allen who is retiring as President and CEO. Pallante, who will join AAP on January 17, 2017, is widely-known as an intellectual property expert with a distinguished record of public service.

What to look out for in 2017 from independent publishers
irishtimes.com – Tuesday January 10, 2017

This time last year Sarah Davis-Goff of Irish publisher Tramp Press wrote an Irish Times article predicting success for independent publishers in 2016. She was right. Oneworld had a second Man Booker Prize winner in a row with Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, following their 2015 success, A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James. Two-man publisher Contraband had a Man Booker shortlisted bestseller in Graham Macrae Burnet’s His Bloody Project while Salt’s Belfast author Paul McVeigh won the Polari Prize for The Good Son. Independent publishing now has a reputation for being at the forefront of scouting out new literary talent.

Revealed: The line-up for Aberdeen’s new crime writing festival, Granite Noir
pressandjournal.co.uk – Sunday January 8, 2017

Some of the most celebrated talent from the Nordic Noir scene will join Scotland’s own Tartan Noir authors for Granite Noir, which takes place in the city from February 24-26.
Among the names from the Nordic Noir genre will be Norway’s Gunnar Staalesen, Sweden’s Kristina Ohlsson and Thomas Rydahl from Denmark.
Already announced as headliners are renowned crime writers Denise Mina and Christopher Brookmyre – as well as the north-east’s very own crime fiction stalwart Stuart MacBride.
Beaumont seeks 'under-represented' voices after move to Marjacq
thebookseller.com – Saturday January 7, 2017
Diana Beaumont is keen to seek voices currently “under-represented” in the literary community in her new role at the Marjacq Scripts literary agency.
Beaumont joined the Holborn-based firm this week from United Talent Agency (UTA), bringing her client list with her.
She told The Bookseller she was “thrilled” to be joining Marjacq at a time the agency was expanding, with her addition bringing the company’s number of agents to five.

Diana Beaumont leaves UTA as it winds down UK literary operation
thebookseller.com – Friday January 6, 2017

Literary agent Diana Beaumont is leaving the United Talent Agency (UTA) to join Marjacq Scripts Ltd, bringing her clients with her.
The move, which follows the departure of Juliet Mushens to set up her own agency with Robert Caskie and Sarah Manning's shift to the Bent Agency this week, has coincided with UTA's decision to wind down its literary operation in the UK, The Bookseller can confirm.

Rights Agent
jobs.thebookseller.com – Wednesday January 4, 2017

A wonderful opportunity to be a key player in a vibrant literary agency with a reputation for launching the careers of debut writers on a global level.
Madeleine Milburn Ltd is looking for a highly organised, proactive and dynamic Rights Agent to join the agency's Mayfair office. The successful applicant will be an avid reader, have excellent attention to detail, strong pitching skills and a willingness to get involved with everything at this boutique yet highly successful, expanding agency.

AllRomance.com's sudden closure hits authors hard
theguardian.com – Wednesday January 4, 2017

One of the biggest genre ebook distributors in the US has closed suddenly, leaving thousands of authors in the UK and US out of pocket. AllRomance.com and its sister company OmniLit are the latest casualties of the downturn in the market for digital books.

Resolving to write a book in 2017? Publishers share advice
wildhunt.org – Wednesday January 4, 2017

The new year has been rung in and resolutions have been made and, for many, high on the list of resolutions is to finish writing a book and have it published. This is, would be their first attempt at becoming a professional author. While there are many resources devoted to the budding writer, there isn’t much specific to publishers who work with Pagan, Heathen, and other occult topics.
The Wild Hunt spoke with several publishers about the kinds of books that they are looking for this year and what common mistakes prevent a book from being accepted. They offer some helpful and direct advice for budding authors.
Get the free newsletter | Submit a news item or article | Get Writers' News for your website