Brexit, Conservative Publishing, and Judy Blume Casting: This Week in Book News

Hello writers, and happy Friday! I hope you’re all staying warm during this blustery, snowy week. We are preparing for our next live Q&A with Kathleen Sweeney from Book Brush next week –– make sure you leave any questions you may have on the blog post, and tune into the event next Friday, February 26^th from 12:30 – 1:30pm EST.

Before we get onto the Publishing news this week, I want to share an incredibly helpful article from the Alliance of Independent authors that covers all things Brexit for Indie Authors.

The Ultimate Guide to Brexit for Indie Authors – Alliance of Independent Authors: Self-Publishing Advice Center

Brexit has been on the Brit’s lips for the last few years, whether you agree with leaving the EU or not, I’m sure relieved it won’t be in the news much more. But before we depart the topic, we must first study the implications for authors.

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A little bit of controversy to start off the roundup: Literary agent Brooks Sherman has come under fire after allegations of unethical agenting.

Lit Agent Brooks Sherman Leaves Agency, Dropped by Authors

Editors’ note: The editors regret the original framing of this article, especially in the opening paragraph, and have revised it. We apologize for the insensitive and misleading phrasing, and are grateful for the feedback from our readers. Literary agent Brooks Sherman is no longer affiliated with Janklow & Nesbit Associates, where he has worked since 2017.

And the National Book Critics Circle is also under fire after one of their members openly criticized one of their prize finalists.

NBCC Board Member Retracts Criticism of Award Finalist

At first glance, author and critic Charles Finch’s swipe at Brandon Taylor could seem like one writer’s opinion about another writer’s work. After reading that Taylor had inked a two-book deal, Finch took to Twitter last weekend, posting, “Lol guess we’re still doing this crap.”

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Members of ECW Press in Toronto are calling for a clearer definition of “conservative publishing”.

Letter to the Editor: We Need to Define ‘Conservative Publishing’

In response to your January 25 story “Houses Divided ,” which asks, “In the wake of the events of January 6, will the Big Five think twice about publishing conservative authors?,” it’s important to clarify what publishers mean when they say conservative and why it is that your article and the phrase “conservative publishing” misrepresents exactly what critics take issue with.

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation ­­­­has donated over a million dollars toward the digitization of Indigenous oral history.

Fresh funding aims to revitalize Indigenous oral history

Associated Press (AP) – A major effort is getting underway at several universities, tribal museums and libraries around the U.S. to digitize the oral histories of thousands of Native Americans that were collected a half century ago as part of a project initiated by the late philanthropist Doris Duke.

The Writers’ Trust of Canada has announced a new prize for the best Canadian book on public policy.

Writers’ Trust of Canada announces new $60K award for best Canadian book on public policy | CBC Books

Books The prize will be funded by businessman and philanthropist Jim Balsillie. Balsillie is the former co-CEO of Research in Motion. The Writers’ Trust of Canada has announced a new literary award. The Balsillie Prize for Public Policy is a $60,000 award that recognizes the best Canadian book about public policy.

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The adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends has added more cast members.

Joe Alwyn, Jemima Kirke, Alison Oliver, and Sasha Lane cast in Hulu’s ‘Conversations With Friends’

The BBC Three and Hulu series is an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel. The cast of the BBC Three and Hulu’s adaptation of Conversations With Friends has been announced.

Lupito Nyong’o is adapting her children’s book Sulwe for Netflix.

Lupita Nyong’o to turn her children’s book into an animated Netflix film

The Oscar-winning actress wrote Sulwe to encourage children to love the skin color they were born with. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is bringing Sulwe, the children’s picture book she published in 2019, to the screen. Nyong’o will produce an animated musical based on the book for Netflix, the streaming studio announced on Thursday.

The adaptation of Judy Bloom’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is officially happening!

Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson join the ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ movie

The adaptation of Judy Blume’s iconic coming-of-age novel is officially a go, and EW has exclusive details. Are you there, God? It’s Judy Blume fans, giving a collective shriek of joy. The movie version of one of the most beloved books of all time is finally a go – and readers, it’s gonna be good.

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Roxane Gay sat down with Monica Lewinsky for Vanity Fair for an incredible interview on how to write trauma.

Roxane Gay on How to Write About Trauma

“We are walking wounds, but I am not sure any of us know quite how to talk about it,” writes Roxane Gay in her new essay, “Writing Into the Wound,” published on Scribd.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Staff Pick

Laura, Author Engagement Specialist
“Yellow Wife follows Pheby, a slave in Virginia in 1850. It tells the story of her life and the sacrifices she made for her survival and out of love for her children and family. At times this was a tough read, with many heartbreaking moments that will stick with you. Johnson’s story was beautifully written and well-researched, and this is a must read for any historical fiction lover.”

Yellow Wife ebook by Sadeqa Johnson – Rakuten Kobo

Read “Yellow Wife A Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson available from Rakuten Kobo. “A fully immersive, intricately crafted story inspired by the pages of history. In Pheby, Sadeqa Johnson has created a w…