2020 First Novel Prize Long List
The Center For Fiction has announced the long list for the 2020 First Novel Prize and it is an exceptional list. While you wait for the shortlist (will be announced in fall), peruse the list of 27 debut novels that includes magic realism (Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn), contemporary (Real Life by Brandon Taylor), historical/western (How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang), fantasy (Conjure Women by Afia Atakora) and so much more!
Thriller Author Removed From Top 10
Mark Dawson revealed on his podcast that he’d purchased 400 copies of his own thriller, “motivated to do this after seeing he was in 13th spot on Nielsen’s midweek chart”, which resulted in him breaking into the top 10. As you can imagine this did not go over well and Nielsen BookScan, data provider for publishing, began to investigate. Now Dawson’s book will be removed from the top 10 list for the week ending in July 4th and a correction will be issued by the Sunday Times. Dawson argues that his intention was not to game the system but rather to purchase the books to then sell them to fans around the world.
Marvel 616 Preview!
Marvel 616, set to stream on Disney+ some time this fall, is a docuseries that will dive into Marvel’s comics with a focus on the impact they’ve had on pop culture and more. We now have sneak peeks into two episodes: Higher, Further, Faster (trailblazing women with a focus on the first Muslim superhero to lead a comic book, Ms. Marvel); Lost and Found (a look at forgotten, offbeat, and ahead of their time characters.) If you’ve yet to read Ms. Marvel and need something uplifting in these times highly recommend you pick up a volume.
Speaking Of Comics