News Today’s Book News Sunday, 7th December

[AgentPete]

Today’s Book News Sunday, 7th December 2025

DAILY SUMMARY:

Executive moves at Hachette and Harlequin, new distribution deals, and a major Oprah Winfrey and Dr Ania Jastreboff obesity title led the weekend’s trade news. A UK symposium warned children’s publishers to prepare for imported censorship campaigns. Irish outlets highlighted the PEN Heaney Prize shortlist and a Rick O’Shea charity book appeal.

Sophie Kossakowski to head Hachette’s global sales and marketing​

Kossakowski, formerly with Sourcebooks and HarperCollins, will join Hachette Book Group as senior manager of international sales and marketing on 18 December. Publishers Weekly reports that she will deepen engagement with customers in open-market territories such as Asia, continental Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, bringing more than a decade of international publishing experience to the role.

Harlequin veteran Dianne Moggy to retire; Bryony Green promoted​

After more than 40 years at Harlequin, vice-president of editorial Dianne Moggy will retire on 31 December. Publishers Weekly notes that she launched the company’s Mira Books imprint and broadened its publishing beyond series romance. Executive editor Bryony Green has been promoted to publishing director to oversee the series romance program, while other leadership changes will redistribute Moggy’s responsibilities.

New distribution agreements and Two Lines Press’ UK/Europe expansion​

Publishers Weekly’s roundup of distribution deals reports that Simon & Schuster will begin worldwide sales and distribution for Humanitas Media on 1 January 2026, while IPG signed agreements with Crown House Publishing. The newsletter also notes that Turnaround Publishing Services will distribute Two Lines Press titles in the U.K. and Europe, beginning with Juliana Leite’s novel *Exemplary Humans* in April 2026. The translation-focused press hopes wider distribution will help reach more English-language readers.

Bluebird acquires Oprah Winfrey and Dr Ania Jastreboff’s obesity book​

The Bookseller reports that Macmillan imprint Bluebird has bought rights to *Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It’s Like to Be Free*, a book on obesity by Yale scientist Dr Ania Jastreboff and media icon Oprah Winfrey. The collaboration is described as “transformational” and positions the book as a major rights acquisition for the publisher.

Sheikh Zayed Book Award announces 2025 longlists​

Publishing Perspectives highlights that the 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award drew more than 4,000 submissions from 74 countries and released longlists across literature, children’s literature, young author, editing of Arabic manuscripts, translation and other categories. The literature longlist features 11 titles from eight countries, and the prize celebrates works that promote Arab culture and the Arabic language. Winners will be announced during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair later in 2026.

UK children’s publishers warned to brace for U.S.-style censorship campaigns​

A symposium at Manchester Metropolitan University, covered by Publishing Perspectives, brought together publishers and advocates to prepare for the spread of U.S.-style book bans targeting inclusive children’s titles. Speakers highlighted how same-sex parents in picture books have drawn censorship and noted that representation of characters of colour in U.K. picture books has dropped to 38 percent. Organisers called for collective action, better data on representation, and structural support for creators of colour to resist pushback against equity and diversity initiatives.

PEN Heaney Prize shortlist honours six poetry collections​

Books Ireland magazine reports that English PEN, Irish PEN and the Estate of Seamus Heaney unveiled a six-book shortlist for the 2025 PEN Heaney Prize. The collections, from publishers such as And Other Stories, Yale University Press and Faber, range from Don Mee Choi’s final trilogy instalment *Mirror Nation* to Najwan Darwish’s *No One Will Know You Tomorrow*. Judges praised the works for engaging with language, land, love and political conditions and noted that the winner will be announced at Dublin’s National Library on 1 December 2025.

Rick O’Shea Book Club launches Christmas appeal for animals and young readers​

Another Books Ireland piece notes that broadcaster Rick O’Shea’s online book club is raising funds for three Irish charities—the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, My Lovely Horse Rescue and Children’s Books Ireland. The appeal, which encourages readers to donate the price of a book, has raised more than €250,000 since 2018 and aims to reach €20,000 this year. Proceeds will support animal welfare and literacy programmes, reflecting the club’s 43,000-member community spirit and focus on reading for good causes.

 

[Hannah Faoileán]

Love the Rick O'Shea's book club Christmas appeal!

 

[Pamela Jo]

Love the Rick O'Shea's book club Christmas appeal!

The My Lovely Horse Rescue proprietor came to us for some lessons a few years ago. Someone you can trust is not in it for money or glory. Just love.