News Today’s Book News Saturday, 29th November

[AgentPete]

Today’s Book News Saturday, 29th November 2025 (London date)

A busy day in publishing saw reports on diversity and salaries, debates about AI, regional presses championing diverse voices, and an inside look at a classic reissue. Awards news included the Irish Book Awards and Foyles Book of the Year.

The 2025 PW Salary & Jobs Report​

The 2025 salary and jobs survey of 726 publishing professionals found the industry is diversifying, with 76% of respondents identifying as white (down from 80% the prior year) and higher diversity among newcomers. Median pay rose to about $80,000 and job satisfaction averaged seven out of ten. The survey also notes that 63% of companies are using AI, though most respondents are skeptical about its benefits.

The Publishing Workshops Taking a Red Pen to AI​

Publishers Weekly reports that publishing educators are debating whether AI-powered editing tools should be embraced or avoided. The article notes the emergence of platforms like AutoCrit, Editrix and Anthropic’s Claude, which promise faster revision, while emphasising that 63% of surveyed publishers already use some form of AI. Commentators such as Portland State’s Rachel Noorda urge careful integration, while others stress that human editors and empathy remain vital.

From the Ground Up: PW Talks with Meg Reid​

In an interview, Hub City Press publisher Meg Reid explains that the non‑profit press publishes eight to ten hardcover titles each year and aims to elevate voices from the American South. She says the press is committed to showcasing regional diversity, including Black, brown, refugee, immigrant and queer authors, and is launching a Hub City Shorts line for essays, novellas and emerging writers. Reid sees the press’s mission as redefining modern Southern literature.

How Modern Library Published ‘Nothing Grows by Moonlight’ by Torborg Nedreaas​

An annotated feature on Modern Library’s reissue of Torborg Nedreaas’s 1947 novel details how vice‑president Rachel Rokicki discovered the book during research on Bergen and felt it fit the imprint’s Torchbearers series. Translator Bibbi Lee describes translation as entering the author’s body to find the voice, while editors Talia Cieslinski and Miriam Khanukaev highlight how the novel’s themes of class, sexuality and loneliness resonate today and influenced the packaging.

Irish Book Awards 2025 winners announced​

BookBrunch reports that the An Post Irish Book Awards named Roisín O’Donnell’s novel ‘Nesting’ (Simon & Schuster) Novel of the Year. Other winners included bestselling authors Cecelia Ahern, Elaine Feeney and Joseph O’Connor, and Chapters Bookstore in Dublin was crowned best bookshop.

Foyles Book of the Year 2025 announced​

BookBrunch notes that Foyles booksellers chose Arundhati Roy’s memoir ‘Mother Mary Comes To Me’ (Hamish Hamilton) as their Book of the Year for 2025.

Conduit reveals first book​

According to BookBrunch, new men’s publisher Conduit Books will launch its debut title, ‘Malc’s Boy’ by award‑winning writer Shaun Wilson, in April next year.

Mosquito pilot’s memoir for Abacus​

Another BookBrunch snippet notes that Abacus, an imprint of Little, Brown, has acquired ‘Bloody dangerous: fifty missions over Germany,’ the memoir of 104‑year‑old Second World War Mosquito pilot Colin Bell.

Irish Times books newsletter highlights award increase, fair and accolades​

A books newsletter from The Irish Times reports that the Kate O’Brien Award’s prize fund has been raised from €2,000 to €5,000, with the winner to be announced at next March’s Limerick Literary Festival. It also previews the inaugural Dublin Small Press Fair on Nov. 28–29 featuring panels and vendors, celebrates ‘Irish Food History: A Companion’ winning the Best of the Best award at the Gourmand Food Awards, and notes that Melissa Chevin of The Irish Pages Press has been shortlisted for Sales Professional of the Year at the 2025 FutureBook Awards.

Children’s Books Ireland launch annual reading guide​

Books Ireland magazine covers Children’s Books Ireland’s launch of ‘The Best Irish Books of 2025,’ an annual reading guide celebrating Irish authors and illustrators across genres. The guide, featuring 100 top titles and another 100 recommendations, was unveiled at a Culture Night event at Dubray Bookstore and includes a specially commissioned cover by illustrator Linda Fährlin, inspired by the sea. CEO Elaina Ryan says the guide champions the wealth of talent on the island and encourages readers to find their next great read.

Publishing Scotland seeks international fellows​

Publishing Perspectives announces that Publishing Scotland is accepting applications for its 2026 International Fellowship, founded in 2015 to bring overseas publishers and editors to Scotland during the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The program, which has hosted 71 publishers from 19 countries, aims to foster rights sales and expand the reach of Scottish literature, and coincides with a new translation fund to support translation of Scottish books. Literary agent Jenny Brown notes that the fellowship boosts Scotland’s international profile and helps forge lasting relationships.

News Summary: New Tools from Tertulia and a Social Platform for Small Reading Groups​

The Alliance of Independent Authors’ news site reports that online bookstore Tertulia has launched ‘Tertulia for Authors,’ a service that builds an instant sales site for authors by pulling book data using ISBNs and partnering with Ingram. The article also highlights Phictly, a new social platform that limits reading group membership to about twenty people to recreate intimate book‑club discussions.