(Apologies for this giga-dump of the latest news, I’m aiming to post daily but the past week has taken me away from the computer for one meeting after another! Catching up now).
Pulitzer‑winning journalist Mirta Ojito drew on her mother’s stories of exile for her fiction debut *Deeper Than the Ocean*. Agent Johanna V. Castillo and editor Claire Wachtel championed the manuscript, and the publisher explained that the novel’s cover design evokes the strength of the women at the heart of the story.
In an interview, literary agent Susan Canavan explained why she left editing to become an agent in 2019. She said agenting allows her to be entrepreneurial and that she gravitates toward projects with strong storytelling and built‑in audiences, such as sports books.
Publishers Weekly’s roundup of book acquisitions noted that Random House pre‑empted Imani Perry’s novel about Sterling A. Brown’s mentorship and Viking acquired Isle McElroy’s novel *The Channel* about a woman who sees her double on television. Summit bought Dana Vowinckel’s *Anton and Alma*, FSG took Sarah W. Anderson’s speculative novel *Fallow* about a tech company using surrogates, and other deals included projects by Jeff Glor and E. Hanby.
John F. Baker, a long‑time editor and editorial director of *Publishers Weekly*, died at 93. He joined the magazine in 1973 and led it through the 1980s and 1990s, writing influential editorials and championing free speech; colleagues recalled his passion for reading and fearless criticism.
Spanish‑language bookshops in Chicago, such as ¡Viva! Los Libros and Los Amigos Books, reported that foot traffic has plummeted because Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been frequenting the neighbourhood. To keep shoppers safe, the stores now require RSVPs for events, post signs discouraging harassment and offer shipping discounts; owners said customers are anxious and that tariffs and rising costs make importing Spanish‑language books even harder.
Bloomsbury Publishing reported that sales fell 11 % to £159.5 million and pre‑tax profits dropped 17 % in the first half of fiscal 2026 after the previous year’s Sarah J. Maas‑fuelled boom. Despite the decline, the company told investors it expects full‑year profits to beat expectations thanks to growth in its academic and professional division, the integration of Rowman & Littlefield and structural improvements such as a global royalties system.
A U.S. district judge permanently enjoined Texas’s READER Act, a law that would have forced vendors to rate books for school libraries. The judge ruled that the requirement compelled private speech and was unconstitutionally vague, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments; plaintiffs from the bookselling community hailed the decision as a victory for free speech and the right to read.
Publishers Weekly’s bestseller list saw Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan’s paranormal love story *Remain* debut at number one in hardcover fiction, while Eric Trump’s memoir *Under Siege* topped the nonfiction chart. Other notable entries included Charlie Mackesy’s new fable *Always Remember* and Tim Curry’s memoir *Vagabond*.
Bloomsbury U.S. publishing director Nancy Miller announced she will step down on 1 January 2026 to become an executive editor. She said she wants to focus on editing and development, and Bloomsbury president Sabrina McCarthy praised her leadership and achievements, including the success of Susanna Clarke’s *The Wood at Midwinter*.
The Booker Prize Foundation revealed a new annual award for children’s fiction. Beginning in 2027, the £50,000 prize will celebrate novels for readers aged 8‑12 and will be chaired in its first year by author Frank Cottrell‑Boyce; the foundation said it hopes to inspire future classics and fill the gap left by now‑defunct U.K. children’s book awards.
Mary Ann Eckels, former editor of the Mystery Guild Book Club and later an agent at Blumer Literary Agency, died on 25 September aged 87. Eckels championed authors like Sue Grafton and was remembered for her passion for crime fiction and her warm support of colleagues and writers.
HarperCollins promoted chief commercial officer Kate Elton to chief executive of its U.K. division following Charlie Redmayne’s resignation. She will join the company’s global executive committee; president Brian Murray praised her leadership of the adult commercial divisions and her success in boosting fiction sales.
A Bain & Company survey found that books account for only about 5 % of U.S. media consumption but that readers value the focus and community reading provides. The report recommends that publishers collaborate on campaigns to promote reading, expand merchandising and community engagement, and use AI to improve back‑office efficiency while clearly labelling human‑created books.
Former employees of Mango Publishing launched Key Lime Publishing in Miami. The new press, led by Hugo Villabona, plans to publish roughly 60 titles a year and to amplify under‑represented voices; it offers no advances but a high royalty split and will be distributed by Ingram and PGW. Many of the staff previously worked at Mango, which has been divesting imprints and selling assets.
Independent booksellers attending autumn regional trade shows reported record attendance and a positive, collaborative mood. Organisers said booksellers are sharing ideas for mutual aid and mental‑health support, and the American Booksellers Association noted that membership has grown markedly since 2020.
Journalist and author Michael Wolff filed a lawsuit in New York seeking a declaration that former first lady Melania Trump’s threats to sue him over his forthcoming book about her are baseless. He alleges that the Trumps have a pattern of using litigation threats to silence critics and wants the court to affirm his right to publish.
In a brief update, *Publishers Lunch* reported that Bloomsbury’s first‑half sales were around £160 million and that the publisher expects profits for the 2026 financial year to exceed market expectations. The news came despite a year‑on‑year decline after blockbuster growth driven by Sarah J. Maas titles.
Publishers Lunch invited publishers and agents to submit titles for its Spring/Summer 2026 Buzz Books sampler and preview. The organisation said the samplers boost visibility for forthcoming books and announced an expanded online preview.
On a podcast, Zando founder Molly Stern discussed why she started the independent publisher in 2020. She credited her mentor Susan Petersen Kennedy and said Zando aims to partner with celebrity “imprint leaders” to bring books to new audiences; the company has grown quickly since launching during the pandemic.
A federal judge again ruled against the Texas READER Act—legislation requiring booksellers to rate the sexual content of books for school libraries—issuing a permanent injunction. The judge found the law unconstitutional, echoing earlier injunctions and siding with plaintiffs who argued the ratings system compelled speech and was vague.
In a Q&A, agent Marietta Zacker discussed her philosophy of representing stories that reflect real communities. She emphasised supporting independent bookstores and libraries and urged writers to submit to small presses and magazines that champion diverse voices.
Harper announced that Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro’s book *Where We Keep the Light* will be published in January 2026. The memoir will recount his upbringing, his wife and children’s experiences during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and how his family coped after an arsonist set fire to the governor’s residence.
Echoing other reports, *Publishers Lunch* noted that HarperCollins promoted Kate Elton to chief executive of its U.K. division. CEO Brian Murray highlighted her success leading the adult commercial divisions and said she will sit on the company’s global executive committee.
Simon & Schuster announced that long‑time chief operating officer Dennis Eulau will retire at the end of November 2025. CEO Jonathan Karp thanked him for decades of service and said Eulau’s operational expertise had been essential to the publisher’s success.
A WARN Act filing showed that wholesaler Baker & Taylor planned to lay off 112 employees at its North Carolina headquarters and 67 at a New Jersey facility, on top of 523 jobs eliminated earlier in the year. The company is restructuring amid financial distress and, according to employees, is offering no severance.
Vroman’s, California’s oldest independent bookstore, sold its flagship Pasadena property for $15.5 million. The bookstore plans to remain open in the same location through at least 2026; the sale follows the closure of its second location in 2024.
*Publishers Lunch* highlighted new releases arriving on 21 October 2025, including Joe Hill’s short‑story collection, Gish Jen’s novel set in Boston’s Chinatown, and John Grisham’s legal thriller. The roundup provided brief descriptions of fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles hitting shelves that week.
Organisers of the Frankfurt Book Fair said trade attendance at the 2025 fair increased three percent year‑on‑year, with 118,000 trade badge scans and about 120,000 public visitor scans. The modest rise indicated a gradual recovery for the world’s largest publishing trade show after pandemic disruptions.
The literary agency Diamond Kahn & Woods rebranded as Bryony Woods Literary Agency after co‑founder Bryony Woods became sole owner. The agency will continue operating from its London office and representing fiction and non‑fiction authors under the new name.
The Indie Press Network announced a free marketing and publicity day for small publishers on 7 November in London’s Conway Hall. Funded by Arts Council England, the event will offer advice on reaching readers and share best‑practice strategies for independent presses.
In an analysis of BookTok data, *The Bookseller* reported that romance and fantasy remain the dominant genres on the social‑media platform. Creators said titles such as Ali Hazelwood’s *Mate* and SenLinYu’s *Alchemised* are generating buzz, helping backlist and self‑published books find large audiences.
Literary agent Felicity Blunt penned a tribute to beloved novelist Jilly Cooper, who died in October. Blunt praised Cooper’s research and her ability to write about intimacy and social comedy, recalling how readers felt Cooper understood their lives.
Author Nicola Dinan received the New Adult Book Prize at the Cheltenham Literature Festival for her second novel *Disappoint Me*. The award recognises outstanding fiction for readers transitioning from teen to adult categories.
In a long interview, Barnes & Noble chief executive James Daunt looked back at his six years running the U.S. chain. He explained how he decentralised buying decisions, opened around 60 new stores and gave local managers autonomy, and he praised the role of public libraries in promoting reading.
A sales analysis of NielsenIQ data questioned whether the hit puzzle series *Murdle* would again dominate the humour, trivia and puzzles category during the holiday season. The report noted that the series has sold about 600,000 copies since 2023 and that titles like *The 1% Club* are gaining market share.
Agent Camille Burns, formerly of Diamond Kahn & Woods, launched Solas Literary Agency. The new firm will represent fiction and non‑fiction for adults, young adults and children, focusing on authors from marginalised communities.
The Frankfurt Book Fair announced plans to restructure its hall layout from 2026 onward. Organisers said the changes will make it easier for publishers and agents to meet and to navigate the fair, reflecting feedback from exhibitors and visitors.
Fox & Ink Books acquired singer Corinne Bailey Rae’s picture book *Put Your Records On*, inspired by her hit song of the same name and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara. The publisher said the book will celebrate music and empowerment for young readers.
In BookBrunch’s Frankfurt wrap‑up, editors said that romantasy—a hybrid of romance and fantasy—and upmarket thrillers were the hottest topics at the 2025 fair. Publishers reported huge demand for works blending romance and fantasy tropes, while translation rights buyers sought twisty, high‑concept thrillers.
Hachette UK chief executive David Shelley joined authors at a Frankfurt panel to warn that Britain faces a “reading crisis” as literacy rates fall. Shelley urged publishers, educators and politicians to promote reading for pleasure; separately, author Katherine Rundell wrote for the Get Britain Reading campaign, arguing that children must be given time and resources to develop a love of books.
The Society of Authors issued new guidelines urging publishers and high‑profile authors to credit ghostwriters and to pay them fairly. The organisation said ghostwriters’ labour is often hidden and undervalued despite their crucial role in producing bestselling memoirs and celebrity books.
Charity Book Aid International shipped over 15,000 books to Ukrainian libraries and schools in its first shipment from a new warehouse. The organisation said the donation will support literacy and provide comfort to communities affected by the ongoing conflict.
The An Post Irish Book Awards released their 2025 shortlists across categories including fiction, non‑fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Nominees range from debut authors to established names, with public voting open ahead of the awards ceremony.
*MasterChef* winner Brin Pirathapan signed a deal with publisher Quadrille for his first cookbook. The book will feature recipes inspired by his Sri Lankan heritage and his winning dishes from the television show.
Harvill Secker bought U.K. and Commonwealth rights to Claire Gibson’s novel *Burst Into Song*, about how an adoption reverberates through three generations of women. The novel explores family secrets, grief and identity.
HarperCollins announced a collaboration between the classic Mr Men series and the estate of Agatha Christie. The upcoming picture book will combine the famous crime‑fiction plots with the colourful Mr Men characters, introducing younger readers to whodunits in a playful way.
Hachette Children’s Group will publish a young‑fiction series by bestselling novelist Cecelia Ahern. The books will follow a girl who discovers a magical key and will explore themes of friendship and imagination.
Science‑fiction and fantasy publisher Angry Robot acquired Marie Brennan’s novel *The Worst Monk in Omnu*. The novel is described as a charming and funny fantasy about a monk who must prove himself in a magical monastery.
Author Pip Landers‑Letts won the 2025 Kindle Storyteller Award and its £20,000 prize for *Pyg*, a queer retelling of the Pygmalion myth. The self‑published novel impressed judges with its originality and character‑driven narrative.
Children’s publisher Little Tiger bought world English rights to *The Elementals*, a middle‑grade fantasy series by musician Love Ssega and illustrated by Erika Meza. The books will follow children who can harness elemental powers to protect their world.
The East Anglian Book Awards released shortlists in categories such as fiction, non‑fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Nominees include comedian Adam Buxton, novelist Emma Healey and illustrator James Mayhew; winners will be announced later in the autumn.
Simon & Schuster announced that entrepreneur Emma Grede, co‑founder of Good American and a board member of the Kardashians’ fashion empire, will release a book titled *Start With Yourself*. Billed as a “no‑B.S.” guide to success, it will share Grede’s business advice and personal story.
Dorling Kindersley acquired *Plot to Plate*, a food‑growing and recipe guide by YouTuber Huw Richards and chef Sam Cooper. The book will combine gardening tips with plant‑based recipes, encouraging readers to grow and cook their own produce.
BookBrunch staff roamed the Frankfurt Book Fair gathering snippets of conversation and industry gossip. Their roundup shared overheard comments on hot trends, pricing negotiations and publishers’ predictions for the coming year.
Pan Macmillan partnered with the Black British Book Festival to develop a community‑led publishing model. The programme will mentor aspiring writers from Black British communities, providing editorial guidance and routes to publication.
The non‑fiction prize’s organisers named Adam Weymouth’s *Lone Wolf*, a narrative about endangered wolves and Indigenous stewardship, as favourite to win the £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize. The final winner will be announced in November.
In an opinion piece, Professor Rebecca Earle, chair of the British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, reflected on the importance of research that crosses borders. She highlighted the shortlisted books’ ability to connect past and present and to illuminate how ideas move across cultures.
A stage adaptation of Dermot O’Leary’s children’s book *Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape* will tour U.K. theatres next year. The production will bring the popular feline characters to life with music and puppetry.
Bologna Children’s Book Fair named Norway as its guest of honour for the 2026 edition. The country will showcase its children’s literature, illustration and publishing industry through exhibitions and events.
HarperCollins imprint HQ acquired rights to *The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook* by social‑media personality Melani Sanders. The humorous guide encourages readers to worry less about external approval and to embrace authenticity.
Bonnier Books secured a multi‑book deal with professional dancer and television presenter Anton Du Beke. The agreement includes more titles in his popular Buckingham Palace ballroom mystery series as well as new fiction projects.
Children’s illustrator Zehra Hicks signed a two‑book deal with DK. One title, *Who Just Farted?*, uses humour to teach children about manners; the other is an as‑yet‑untitled story about friendship.
The Royal Society named volcano specialist Professor Tamsin Mather as chair of its 2025 Young People’s Book Prize panel. Joining her are science broadcaster Dallas Campbell and authors Mahsuda Snaith and Robin Stevens; the prize celebrates accessible books that inspire children to explore science.
Scholastic announced a new middle‑grade fantasy series called *Renegades* by Erin Hunter, the pseudonym for the team behind *Warriors*. The series will follow clans of animal heroes with mysterious powers and will debut in 2026.
The Saltire Society revealed the shortlists for its 2025 literary awards, which recognise excellence in Scottish writing. The nominees span fiction, non‑fiction, poetry, research and first books, reflecting the breadth of contemporary Scottish literature.
HarperNonFiction announced *Freddie Mercury’s A Life in Lyrics*, a book compiled by Mary Austin that pairs the Queen frontman’s song lyrics with her personal recollections. Austin said the book aims to provide insight into Mercury’s creative process and his enduring legacy.
Author Lyla Sage spoke to BookBrunch about her Western romance novel *Soul Searching* and her forthcoming book *Free Falling*. She discussed her writing process, her love of strong heroines and the importance of authentic representation in contemporary romance.
New imprint Fern Press acquired rights to French author Emmanuel Carrère’s novel *Kolkhoze*. The book explores themes of truth and illusion through the story of a journalist and his mother, blending autofiction and reportage.
Andersen Press bought world rights to Sufiya Ahmed’s middle‑grade novel *Escape from the Child Snatchers*, inspired by real stories of Indian children trafficked to Britain in the 19th century. The adventure tale follows siblings who fight to return home after being kidnapped.
