Brandon Taylor Joins Unnamed Press as Acquiring Editor
Brandon Taylor, author of Real Life and Filthy Animals, has been named acquiring editor for L.A.–based indie publisher Unnamed Press. The new position was created following cofounder Olivia Taylor Smith’s move to Simon & Schuster and is effective starting August 1st. Taylor will be working alongside publisher Chris Heiser and staff to curate approximately eight fiction titles per year.
Five Stand Trial for Sedition in Hong Kong Over Children’s Book About Sheep
Five Hong Kong unionists have pleaded not guilty to publishing “seditious” material in a trial over illustrated children’s books. The case revolves around a series of books published by the now-defunct General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists. Prosecutors claim that the books, featuring cartoon sheep and wolves, include analogies for Hong Kong residents and mainland Chinese that are intended to “incite hatred” toward the latter. The five defendants jointly face the charge of “conspiracy to print, publish, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications” under the colonial-era crimes ordinance, with a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
ABC Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Beauty and the Beast with Hybrid Live-Action, Animated Special
ABC is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Beauty and The Beast with a hybrid live-action/animated broadcast special. The two-hour special will feature new, live never-before-seen musical performances and brand-new sets and costumes inspired by the classic story. The special will air on ABC on December 15th at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream the following day on Disney+.
HarperCollins Union Has Voted to Strike
The HarperCollins employee union is bargaining for salaries that keep pace with inflation and match the cost of living.