News Today's Book News

[AgentPete]

This Week’s Bestsellers: October 6, 2025​

The U.S. bestseller list for early October saw Vice‑President Kamala Harris’s campaign memoir *107 Days* debut at number 1 overall. In hardcover fiction, SenLinYu’s *Alchemised* (based on her *Harry Potter* fanfic) topped the chart, followed by Brynne Weaver’s thriller *Tourist Season*; Jen Hatmaker’s memoir *Awake* was a non‑fiction standout.

America’s Burgeoning Fleet of Book Bikes​

With library budgets strained, community “book bikes” are proliferating. Examples include the Nonbinarian Book Bike in Brooklyn, romance‑themed L’amour en Route in Maryland and a climate‑themed bike in Iowa City. These mobile libraries distribute free books, build community and highlight censorship issues.

Behind the Podium: PW Talks with Victoria Gerken​

Podium’s publisher Victoria Gerken said the digital‑first house has grown from 242 audiobook titles in 2016 to more than 10 000 today and expects 3 000 releases in 2025. She emphasised human narration over AI and noted Podium’s expansion into print retail with Target, Walmart and Barnes & Noble.

How *Palaver* by Bryan Washington Got Made​

Author Bryan Washington, his agent and publisher described how they shaped the novel’s structure and themes. A painting by Keita Morimoto inspired Na Kim’s cover design, and the collaborators highlighted how the book celebrates queer community.

Erin Somers on 5 Quintessential Post‑War Tales of Adultery​

Somers discussed her novel *The Ten Year Affair* and the post‑war adultery novels that influenced her, noting how suburban malaise and the failing nuclear family provide rich material for comedy.

Book Deals: Week of October 6 2025​

Recent publishing deals include Pamela Dorman’s purchase of Jenny Jackson’s novel *The Shampoo Effect*, Pluto Press acquiring Francesca Albanese’s book on Israel/Palestine and a four‑book romantasy series by Kresley Cole.

TV Alert: *Charlotte’s Web*​

HBO Max released a three‑part animated adaptation of *Charlotte’s Web*, produced by Sesame Workshop. Showrunner Luke Matheny consulted E.B. White’s family and cast actors such as Amy Adams and Elijah Wood.

Andrews and Wilson to Helm Blackstone Imprint, AWE​

Blackstone Publishing launched AWE, an imprint curated by military‑thriller authors Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. It will debut in late 2026 with *The Adversary* and aims to publish up to 20 books a year.

Publishing Pros Band Together to Root Out Censorship​

A new group, Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans, will host its first town hall on 28 October to support authors facing censorship. Affiliated with Authors Against Book Bans, the group features speakers such as Angie Thomas.

S&S Launches Crossover Romance Imprint​

Simon & Schuster announced Scarlett Press, a New Adult imprint in the U.S. and U.K. dedicated to romance‑forward books for late‑teen and early‑twenties readers. The first list includes *The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating* and *Empire of Flame and Thorns*.

U.S. Faces “Expanded and Escalated” Book Censorship, PEN America Reports​

PEN America’s latest report found 22 180 book bans across 45 states since 2021, warning that bans often conflate LGBTQ+ identities with “sexually explicit” content and comparing the climate to the Red Scare.

TV Alert: *The Sisters Grimm*​

Apple TV released an animated adaptation of Michael Buckley’s *The Sisters Grimm* series, which aims to teach empathy while preserving the original’s humour.

SFF Authors Team to Revamp the Book Tour​

Yume Kitasei and other SFF authors created the Traveling SFF Book Festival, a cooperative tour promoting accessibility and group panels across U.S. East Coast cities.

In Spokane, PNBA Tradeshow Attendees Gather Inspiration and ARCs​

The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Tradeshow highlighted new bookstores, rising costs and side‑hustle publishers, with Kamilah Cole’s *An Arcane Inheritance* earning strong buzz.

People 10/3​

Industry staff changes included new hires at Atria, The New Press and Alcove Press, plus an AAP award to the Freedom Letters founders.

Anthropic Settlement Website Launches Searchable Database of Works, Claims Portal​

Anthropic launched a database listing 482 460 works affected by its copyright settlement and opened a claims portal for authors.

FL Judge Denies *Tango* Authors’ Free‑Speech Claim​

A Florida judge dismissed authors’ claims that removing *And Tango Makes Three* from schools violated free‑speech rights, ruling libraries can set their own collections.

Obituary: Thomas Perry​

Thriller writer Thomas Perry, author of *The Butcher’s Boy* and 32 novels, died at 78; his final book *The Tree of Light and Flowers* will appear in 2026.

People 10/2​

Podium Entertainment made promotions and author Jennifer L. Armentrout teamed with Hellmann’s on a garlic‑scented Halloween edition of her fantasy novel.

Bookshop.org Launches Ebooks in the UK​

Bookshop.org unveiled an ebook marketplace for UK readers, letting indie bookstores share profits from digital sales.

Harris Memoir Sells 350 000 Copies in First Week​

Kamala Harris’s *107 Days* sold 350 000 copies across formats in its first week, one of the biggest nonfiction debuts since 2023.

HarperCollins Acquires Crunchyroll’s Manga Business in France and Germany​

HarperCollins completed its purchase of Crunchyroll’s French and German manga operations to strengthen its European footprint.

People 10/1​

Simon & Schuster promoted Emma Shaw and agency Looking Glass Literary hired Stefanie Molina‑Santos as agent.

Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Shortlist​

Finalists for the First Novel Prize include *We Pretty Pieces of Flesh*, *The Devil Three Times*, *Ibis*, *Loca*, *Natch*, *Liquid* and *Optional Practical Training*.

Cat Stevens Cancels North American Tour Due to Visa Issues​

Yusuf/Cat Stevens postponed U.S. and Canadian book‑tour dates because of visa delays but plans to reschedule soon.

A Not‑So Impossible Fortune: Richard Osman Cracks First Place​

Richard Osman’s *The Impossible Fortune* topped the UK book charts for the week of 30 September.

Jojo Moyes and Lisa Jewell Join Charity Event Celebrating Sophie Kinsella​

Authors including Jojo Moyes, Jenny Colgan and Lisa Jewell gathered on 2 October to honour Sophie Kinsella and raise funds for charity.

Books on BookTok: How Crying on Camera Affects Book Recommendations​

BookTok creators discussed the viral trend of filming themselves crying while reading emotional scenes, saying authenticity boosts engagement.

Clare Hey Leaves Simon & Schuster UK​

Publishing director Clare Hey left Simon & Schuster UK to pursue new opportunities as the company evolves under new leadership.

Yin F Lim Wins Mo Siewcharran Prize for *The Ties That Bind*​

Yin F Lim’s novel *The Ties That Bind* won the £2 500 Mo Siewcharran Prize, highlighting authors from underrepresented backgrounds.

Goldsboro Launches Literary Debut Subscription Box as Pike Swipes Glass Bell​

Goldsboro Books launched Fresh Ink, a subscription for debut literary fiction, announced at its London store’s Glass Bell Award celebration.

Booksellers Hail ‘Rolling Super Thursday’ as Publishers Spread Out Big Autumn Releases​

UK booksellers observed that 2025’s major autumn releases were staggered across weeks rather than one day, easing logistics.

Government Pledges £10 m for a Library in Every Primary School by 2029​

At the Labour Party Conference, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £10 million to ensure all state primaries have a library by 2029.

‘Eunuchs, Pirates, Horny Wolves, Terrorists’: Baillie Gifford Prize for Non‑Fiction 2025 Shortlist Revealed​

Shortlisted authors include Jason Burke, Helen Garner, Richard Holmes, Justin Marozzi, Adam Weymouth and Frances Wilson.

A Not‑So‑Pretty Summer for Non‑Fiction Titles​

NielsenIQ BookData reported that UK non‑fiction sales fell 8.4% in summer 2025, nearly twice fiction’s decline.

The Indie Fortune: Another Chart‑Topper for Richard Osman​

Richard Osman’s *The Impossible Fortune* also led the Independent Bookshop Top 20 and e‑book charts.

Frankfurt Book Fair 2025: Agents’ Hotlists Show Serious Non‑Fiction Is Steaming but Fiction Still Sizzles​

Agents previewed Frankfurt’s hottest titles, citing strong demand for serious nonfiction alongside high‑concept commercial fiction.

Manilla Press Expands Translated‑Fiction List with Six New Novels​

Manilla Press (Bonnier Books UK) added six new translated novels, reflecting growing appetite for international fiction.

Let’s Push for Change​

Heather Wright urged publishers and event organisers to drive structural change following the 2025 Children’s Conference.

 

[Claire G]

Lots to take from this...but...a garlic-scented book? Have I read that right?!