Today’s Book News Tuesday, 18th November 2025 (London date)
Distribution and rights deals continued to reshape the market. Stable Distribution’s partnership with McSweeney’s and other indies underscores how independent houses are leveraging major infrastructure, while Sourcebooks overtook Macmillan in print sales. Penguin Random House’s Christian division is building a reader‑facing hub and Italian publishers outlined a huge programme for this year’s Più libri più liberi fair. Other stories cover the global children’s fair in Shanghai, academic‑publishing debates about open access, fresh print‑on‑demand services, and the mainstreaming of self‑publishing.
Stable Book Group’s joint venture with Hachette Book Group has signed McSweeney’s, Pigna, Gloo Books, Marble Press and Amber Books to its distribution programme. The new clients join early partners such as Holiday House and Astra Books for Young Readers; shipments begin in January 2026. CEO Chris Gruener said the addition of McSweeney’s shows that independents can thrive with world‑class infrastructure, while McSweeney’s publisher Amanda Uhle praised the service and community it offers.
Penguin Random House’s Christian Publishing Group will launch the “Grace Corner” platform in early 2026. The site will offer an e‑commerce store, on‑demand streaming curriculum, Bible studies and live events. PRH Christian plans to drive readers to the hub through social channels, influencers and partnerships; executives say the platform will help the group build a closer relationship with faith‑based consumers.
A sponsored profile notes that InterVarsity Press sees publishing a wide range of authors as part of its mission. President Terumi Echols says the house strives to reflect the diversity of God’s image, highlighting titles such as “Reading the Bible on Turtle Island” and the “First Nations Version.” Editorial director Al Hsu adds that Indigenous authors bring holistic perspectives that resonate with biblical themes and that the company continues to seek voices from under‑represented backgrounds.
Publishers Lunch reports that Sourcebooks has become the fifth‑largest U.S. trade publisher by print units sold, edging ahead of Macmillan. Macmillan remains larger when ebooks and audiobooks are included, but the shift underscores Sourcebooks’ rapid growth.
A forthcoming picture book by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, titled “Flora and Fern: Kindness Along the Way,” has been withdrawn from publication. Originally scheduled for October and then moved to 20 November, the book lacked a U.S. publisher; no reason for the withdrawal was given.
Publishers Lunch’s People column notes that literary agent Eric Lupfer has joined the agency Calligraph, bringing his roster of authors and praising the agency’s collaborative culture. At Random House Publishing Group, Katherine Leak, Leita Williams and several colleagues have been promoted in editorial and publicity roles.
BookBrunch reports that Chris McGuire’s forthcoming book “The Christmas Raccoons” reimagines the 1980 holiday special. The story blends teamwork, kindness and environmental awareness as a group of raccoons attempt to save Evergreen Forest.
In a ceremony at the French embassy, the novelist Ken Follett received the insignia of Officier in the Légion d’Honneur. The award recognises his literary contributions and longstanding cultural ties with France.
Sceptre has won rights to writer‑director Roshan Sethi’s debut novel “The Simp” after a competitive four‑way auction. Described as a modern‑day “Vanity Fair” set in contemporary Hollywood, the book combines satire and romance.
The UK Centre for Literacy in Primary Education’s Reflecting Realities survey saw an increase in overall output of children’s books by creators of colour, but participants warn that an inclusive lens must be applied at every stage of publishing, from commissioning to marketing.
YA imprint Electric Monkey has acquired two novels by Katherine Webber. The first, “Sweet Hunger,” due in 2027, is billed as a romantasy retelling of “Hansel and Gretel,” and a second untitled book will follow.
The Bookseller adds detail on Roshan Sethi’s “The Simp,” noting that the four‑way auction emphasised its hilarious and “loveably unhinged” tone. Publisher Fritha Saunders called the book “a modern Vanity Fair” and highlighted Sethi’s insider view of Hollywood.
Romantic fiction publisher Choc Lit has signed a four‑book deal with author Lily Parker. The agreement will see Parker publish multiple romance novels with the press.
Debut author T.L. Haseeb has won the 2025 Joffe Books Prize for Unagented Crime Writers of Colour with her novel “The Portrait Maker.” The police procedural is the first in a planned series.
Industry colleagues paid tribute to journalist and author Rachel Cooke following her death from cancer at age 56. Cooke, a respected critic and broadcaster, was remembered for her brilliantly entertaining writing and generosity of spirit.
An obituary notes that Barry Austin, founder of Colour Library Books, passed away in September just shy of his 79th birthday. Austin built his company into a producer of high‑quality coffee‑table books sold directly to consumers and internationally; colleagues remembered him as an industry pioneer.
The Bookseller’s “Books in the Media” column notes that a true‑crime book about a murder trial captured significant attention in Australia, while Danish author Olga Ravn’s new novel received praise for its exploration of motherhood and witchcraft.
Publishing Perspectives reports from the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) where a collaboration between IBBY, UNESCO and the fair highlighted endangered and Indigenous languages. The 2025 event hosted more than 20,000 children’s books and 322 professional events, split between a Copyright Zone for rights trading and a Hybrid Zone combining rights, marketing and retail promotion. Exhibitors from 35 countries attended, and new features like the Cross Media Lounge and themed zones underscored a push for internationalisation and cross‑sector integration.
Italy’s national fair for small and medium‑sized publishers will run 4–8 December at Rome’s “Nuvola.” Organisers say 569 publishers and 700 events are planned, with €10 tickets and family discounts. Backed by the Italian Publishers Association and regional partners, the event will offer young people book vouchers and aims to welcome avid and occasional readers.
The Charleston Conference, an academic publishing meeting held in Charleston, South Carolina, has launched its digital component, Charleston Hub, with video available after the week. Registration grants access to sessions from the in‑person conference (3–7 November) and digital sessions (17–21 November). Highlights include a keynote by Frances Pinter and panels on leading during crises and legal issues; the conference offers group discounts and scholarships
Quill & Quire features Gauvin’s GoLibro platform, noting that the Canadian printer has added state‑of‑the‑art equipment to offer colour book printing for softcover titles. Colour runs currently start at 51 copies, with one‑copy colour POD coming soon. GoLibro lets publishers manage orders, get real‑time quotes and choose from various papers and finishes, with turnaround times of 72 hours for small runs.
On The Scholarly Kitchen, librarian Rick Anderson contends that the predicted global shift to universal open access has not occurred. Citing a report from STM, he notes that toll‑access journal articles still constitute the majority of scholarly output and that article processing charges have become the dominant open‑access model. Anderson argues that the ecosystem has transitioned to a diverse hybrid model where both open and toll‑access publishing coexist, and he questions whether mandatory universal OA is a desirable goal.
In a commentary on The Independent Publishing Magazine, Yehuda Niv argues that the term “vanity press” no longer applies. He notes that modern self‑publishing offers higher royalties, faster timelines and full creative control. A survey by the Spines platform found most authors publish to inspire, share stories and connect with readers rather than for fame or money. Niv suggests that self‑publishing now fulfils the timeless human urge to share one’s voice and should be viewed as a legitimate path, not an ego‑driven indulgence.
