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Trump sues Penguin Random House for $15 billion​

Former U.S. president Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, Penguin Random House and the authors of the book *Lucky Loser*, seeking $15 billion in damages. He claims the book and a series of Times articles disparage him and allege he lost the 2020 election through incompetence or cowardice.

Six‑figure debut pre‑empt for Hodder​

Hodder & Stoughton pre‑empted two crime novels by debut author Tempest Black via Lutyens & Rubinstein in a six‑figure deal. The first novel, *The Seventh Day*, is billed as a literary‑style crime story set at the end of the world, and the publisher plans to build a major campaign around the series.

Tips for the top​

At the Independent Publishers Guild Autumn Conference, publishing veterans Lesley O’Mara and Dick Warner offered advice on building successful publishing businesses. They emphasised the importance of strong distribution networks, knowing your target reader and using digital marketing and metadata effectively.

Q4 focus at Amazon​

Speakers at the IPG conference urged publishers to optimise their presence on Amazon ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period. Tips included refining product metadata, ensuring stock availability, investing in targeted advertising and leveraging Amazon’s promotional tools to maximise fourth‑quarter sales.

Mixed picture on economy from Dharshini David​

BBC economics journalist Dharshini David told the IPG Autumn Conference that the economic outlook for publishing was mixed. While inflation and supply‑chain pressures remain, she pointed to resilient consumer spending and opportunities for nimble, digitally savvy publishers to weather the turbulence.

Ebury launches PRH UK’s first Christian imprint​

Ebury, part of Penguin Random House UK, announced Ebury Vine, its first Christian imprint. The new list aims to tap renewed interest in spirituality and will be headed by former SPCK editor Charisa Gunasekera. Launch titles include Rich Villodas’s *Waiting for Jesus*, and the imprint hopes to reach younger readers seeking faith‑focused books.

Woof! Meow! Amen!: PW talks with Betsy Singleton Snyder and Gayle McKuin Fiser​

In an interview with *PW*, pastor Betsy Singleton Snyder and therapy‑dog handler Gayle McKuin Fiser discuss their book *New Tricks*, which explains how churches can build “pet ministries” to reach local communities. They describe how welcoming animals into worship services can provide pastoral care, foster social justice work and draw in people who might not otherwise attend church.

A Stranger Finds Her Home: PW talks with Angela Buchdahl​

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl—the first Asian‑American rabbi ordained in the United States—spoke with *Publishers Weekly* about her forthcoming memoir *In Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity and Belonging*. She reflected on her role in defusing a 2022 synagogue hostage crisis, her journey toward spiritual leadership and the universal search for belonging, drawing on experiences across Jewish, Buddhist and Christian traditions.

Religion book deals: Sept. 17 2025​

Publishers Weekly’s religion‑book deals round‑up noted several notable acquisitions. Rapper 2 Chainz’s memoir *The Voice in Your Head Is God* was bought by Black Privilege Publishing, while WaterBrook acquired John Mark Comer’s *Sabbath Meditations*, and Paraclete Press picked up Nikki Grimes’s poetry collection *Twice Blessed*. Other deals included a spiritual‑writing anthology for Broadleaf Books and a devotional for America’s semiquincentennial.

Trump sues PRH for defamation over *Lucky Loser* (Publishers Lunch)​

Publishers Lunch reported that Donald Trump filed a defamation suit against Penguin Random House, The New York Times and the authors of *Lucky Loser*, accusing them of making malicious, defamatory statements about him. The suit alleges that the book and accompanying newspaper stories wrongly portray him as a cowardly loser of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Disney and Webtoon will launch new digital comics platform​

Disney has partnered with South Korean webcomics giant Webtoon to create a new digital comics platform that will offer more than 35,000 comics drawn from Marvel, Star Wars and other Disney franchises. The entertainment company has also taken a 2 % stake in Webtoon, and some content will be localised for Korean and Japanese audiences.

Distribution news​

Publishers Lunch summarised recent distribution deals. Simon & Schuster will begin handling worldwide sales and distribution for Shortwave Publishing on 1 December; Independent Publishers Group (IPG) will distribute Harper India from 1 January 2026 and Invader Comics from 1 October 2025; and IPG will take on Mo’media and Shackleton Books in the U.S. and Canada from January 2026.

New books publishing September 16​

The latest release round‑up highlighted new novels by Angela Flournoy, Walter Mosley, Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, alongside nonfiction from historians Jill Lepore and Mary Roach and essayist Sasha Bonét. The list also pointed readers to upcoming books by Catherine Chidgey, Mason Coile and other authors.

People 9/16​

In personnel news, all three staffers at Archway Editions—including founders Chris Molnar and Nic Nicoludis—resigned. HarperCollins and Penguin Random House announced promotions across editorial and marketing departments, and journalist Sarah Posner will join Bonnier Books UK as a senior editor.

October Library Reads​

Publishers Lunch posted the October Library Reads list, highlighting librarians’ top picks for next month. The full roster of selected titles is available to subscribers on the Publishers Lunch website.

Jessica Hanak joins Simon & Schuster UK and International​

The Bookseller reported that Jessica Hanak has been appointed to the newly created role of group digital transformation and innovation director at Simon & Schuster UK and International. The position underscores the publisher’s push to modernise its digital strategy.

Sally Rooney takes home Sky Arts Award for literature​

The winners of the 2025 Sky Arts Awards were announced, with novelist Sally Rooney receiving the top literary award for her novel *Intermezzo* (Faber). The honour recognises outstanding work across the arts.

The Secret’s Out: Dan Brown’s latest thriller lands in first place​

Eight years after his last Robert Langdon novel, Dan Brown returned to the top of the UK book charts as *The Secret of Secrets* sold 77,721 copies in its first week and became the third‑biggest single‑week release of 2025. The book is Brown’s 83rd UK number one and continued a strong run for thriller titles.

Bloody Scotland reveals 2025 winners of McIlvanney and Debut Prizes​

The Scottish crime‑writing festival Bloody Scotland announced this year’s winners of the McIlvanney Prize and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. The awards celebrate the best crime novel and best debut crime novel of the year.

Encyclopaedia Britannica publisher sues AI company Perplexity over ‘content copying’​

The publisher of Encyclopaedia Britannica and Merriam‑Webster filed a lawsuit against AI company Perplexity, alleging that the startup copied its reference content without permission to power an “answer engine.” The suit claims Perplexity built its product by misappropriating Britannica’s copyrighted material.

Industry names call on Keir Starmer to protect creatives’ rights against AI ahead of Trump visit​

A group of prominent book‑industry figures—including Pan Macmillan CEO Joanna Prior, IPG chief executive Bridget Shine and the Society of Editors—signed a letter urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to safeguard artists’ rights in the face of artificial‑intelligence technologies. They warned that creators risk losing control of their own work unless government policy protects copyright and labour rights.