Author: Emily Martin

Society of Authors Respond to Calls for Joanne Harris to Step Down as Committee Chair

The Society of Authors, the UK’s largest trade union for writers, illustrators and translators, is defending its position on free speech, in light of calls for Joanne Harris to step down as the chair of its management committee. In the wake of the attack on Salman Rushdie, the Chocolat author launched a controversial poll on Twitter. In the tweet, Harris, who said she was “shaken” by the attack, asked authors if they had ever received a death threat. The available responses were “Yes,” “Hell, yes,” “No, never,” and “Show me, dammit.” Harris later deleted the poll and re-posted it with different options. Now in response to the tweet, two open letters – one calling for Harris’ resignation and one in support of her – are currently being circulated.

The Society of Authors said in a statement that it is “absolutely committed” to condemning any personal attacks made on authors for exercising their rights to freely express themselves: “What we have seen time and again over the past few years is that polarised viewpoints have become the norm, and that so many exchanges on complex issues are happening in online forums where nuance and meaning are lost.” Harris says she has no plans to resign. In another tweet, the author said, “My term of office as Chair ends in 2024. I won’t be leaving before that.”

Lord of the Rings Team Talks Going Up Against House of the Dragon

Two new, big fantasy series are launching this fall: Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and HBO’s House of the Dragon. Already, the two shows are being pitted against each other. But the team behind Lord of the Rings says there’s plenty of room for both shows in the fall lineup. “The more, the merrier!” said Sophia Nomvete, who plays Princess Disa in The Rings of Power. “People are going to have so much to watch. Get ready, the popcorn industry is gonna go ‘ching!’ There is a place for absolutely all of us, of course. I’m so excited to watch those guys.” Speaking on the camaraderie between the Rings of Power team and the House of the Dragon team, Morfydd Clark, who plays Galadriel, added, “There’s definitely a lot of support from all the actors. There’s a lot demanded of you when you’re in something this big.” Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premieres on Amazon on September 2, and House of the Dragon drops just a few weeks earlier on HBO on August 21.

The Butler Author Wil Haygood Wins Prestigious Book Award

On Wednesday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize announced that author Wil Haygood will receive the Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award. Haygood is the author of multiple nonfiction books chronicling the lives of 20th-century Black Americans, including The Butler, based on the life of Eugene Allen, who served eight presidents at the White House. “For three decades, Haygood has captured the sweep of American culture, focusing on the rarely or never-told stories of the Black experience with the analysis that this nation so desperately needs,” said Sharon Rab, founder and chair of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation. Inspired by the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia, the literary prize celebrates the power of literature to foster peace, social justice and understanding. Haygood will receive the award on November 13th from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Clarence Page.

The Bible is Now Gone, Along with Dozens of Other Books in Keller ISD

Keller ISD’s new extreme right-wing board ushered in a new book policy, demanding approved books be pulled immediately.

New Book Subscription Service Aardvark Book Club Coming in September

A new monthly subscription box is coming to the US and Canada starting in September. It’s called Aardvark Book Club, and it’s a monthly book club that features a social media app where you can discuss the books with a community of readers. If you want updates on when the book club will launch, you can join their newsletter or follow them on Instagram and TikTok.

Battle Brewing in Rural Iowa Over LGBTQ Books

There’s a battle brewing in a rural Iowa town’s public library over LGBTQ-inclusive books that some people have flagged as inappropriate. In Logan, Iowa, local author Kailee Coleman is under fire for her children’s book And That’s Their Family. “I was surprised because the book is a book of facts, it’s just family structures that exist in our world,” said Coleman, who wrote her book to teach tolerance. Her book and a children’s biography about gay rights activist Harvey Milk have been banned from the Logan public library. A letter addressed to the library’s board asks not to put, “Books that portray homosexuality and LGBTQ in a positive manner in the children’s section,” nor put them on display.

But Logan Library Director Kate Simmons is fighting back. “The reality is that libraries are in the forefront of the battle to protect the first amendment,” she said. “I am a member of the LGBTQIA community, and I did not come to this public library for a period of about 10 years because I did not feel represented. Representation is so important.”

Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge Adds Tamera Mowry-Housley as Host

Amazon has greenlit the show Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge and announced that Tamera Mowry-Housley will be the host. Pastry chef Clarice Lam and cake designer/pastry chef Joshua John Russell will also join the series as judges. Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge will challenge some of America’s bakers to create confectionaries tied to beloved Seuss characters like The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, and more. Their creations will be judged based on taste, creativity, and storytelling.

Nonfiction YouTube Accounts to Follow

For those of you who love to dig into a good nonfiction book, here are 8 nonfiction BookTubers making content just for you!

Salman Rushdie Recovering After Stabbing

Author Salman Rushdie is currently recovering after being stabbed onstage ahead of a scheduled lecture at Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York. His son Zafar Rushdie said in a statement shared over the weekend, “We are extremely relieved that yesterday he was taken off the ventilator and additional oxygen and he was able to say a few words.” Rushdie remains in critical condition and continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries, including a damaged liver and severed nerves in an arm and an eye. Rushdie is likely to lose an eye, according to his agent Andrew Wylie. The attacker was identified as Hadi Matar, 24. Matar rushed the stage and stabbed the author 10 times. The motives behind the attack are still unclear.

Viola Davis Joins Hunger Games Prequel

Viola Davis is joining the Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Davis will play villain Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games. She joins previously announced cast members Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Josh Andrés Rivera, Peter Dinklage, and Hunter Schafer. “The Hunger Games films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul. Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story,” said Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane.

Black and Queer-Owned DC Bookstore Surprised with a $20K Check from Good Morning America

In honor of Black Business Month, Good Morning America paid a visit to a bookstore in Washington DC to surprise them with $20,000 check sponsored by Wells Fargo. DC’s Loyalty Bookstore is a Black and Queer-owned that specializes in diverse storytellers. As part of their “Black Business Boost” segment, GMA caught up with the store owner Hannah Oliver Depp to give her the surprise check. Depp says the mission of her bookstore is to sell diverse books and provide job opportunities to her community. Depp said, “We wanted that whole community to be represented on our shelves.”

George R.R. Martin Would Like You to Stop Speculating About His Death

George R. R. Martin has also said he has “given up on any hope of predicting the end” of the Song of Ice and Fire series.

The Bookish Box is Threatening Legal Action Against BookTok Creator

Kevin is one of the many BookTok creators who have called out The Bookish Box subscription company for the quality of their products/subscription services. Now, The Bookish Book is threatening legal action. In his BookTok videos, Kevin has noted the misprints, the boxes delayed by months, spelling author’s names incorrectly, artwork not centered and/or stretched, spines numbered incorrectly, quotes not being correct, and more. Recently, two ex-employees reached out to Kevin to tell him about their terrible experiences working with the company. The Bookish Box recently sent Kevin a cease and desist letter, but in his TikTok video, Kevin says, “There’s no reason to remove the videos where I show you examples of their product or all the mistakes that are inside their books. The fact that they sent me this cease and desist letter shows me how much power we have on this platform.

Keanu Reeves to Star in Devil in the White City

Keanu Reeves will star in Hulu’s The Devil in the White City, based on the bestselling nonfiction thriller by Erik Larson. Reeves will play the role of Daniel H. Burnham, an architect “trying to make his mark on history” with his designs for the fair. The other central role for the series, that of convicted murderer Dr. H.H. Holmes, has yet to be cast. Reeves, Martin Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio are among the series’ producers. There is no word yet on whether DiCaprio will also play an on-screen role in the project.

The Horse Whisperer Author Nicholas Evans Dies at 72

Nicholas Evans, the bestselling author of The Horse Whisperer, has died at the age of 72. In a statement, United Agents said the author died following a heart attack this past Tuesday. They added, “He lived a full and happy life, in his home on the banks of the River Dart in Devon.” The author’s 1995 novel The Horse Whisperer sold 15 million copies worldwide, becoming the number one bestseller in 20 countries. The novel has been translated into 40 languages and was made into a film, starring, produced, and directed by Robert Redford. Evans is survived by his wife, singer-songwriter Charlotte Gordon Cumming, and his four children, Finlay, Lauren, Max and Harry.

Florida School District Puts Warnings on 100 Books

Over 100 books in a Florida school district have been given a warning label, including the board book Everywhere Babies.

Emily Henry’s Happy Place Cover Revealed on GMA

Earlier this week, GMA revealed the cover of Emily Henry’s highly anticipated upcoming novel Happy Place. The romcom book tells the story of a couple that breaks up, but they don’t tell their friends for months. So when it’s time to go on their annual vacation with their friend group, they have to pretend to still be together. Happy Place comes out in April 2023.

Elizabeth Taylor Gets Her First-Ever Authorized Biography

Entertainment Weekly has debuted the cover of Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon by Kate Andersen Brower. This is the first biography to tell the actress’ story with the full cooperation of the Trustees of her estate: Barbara Berkowitz, Tim Mendelson, and Quinn Tivey. “We are proud to announce the first-ever, authorized written biography about Elizabeth,” said the estate in a statement. “Because she was the most famous woman in the world, everyone thinks they know her. We can assure you that they don’t. Kate Andersen Brower will lean into her journalistic background and curiosity to delight readers and introduce them to an Elizabeth only those closest to her knew.” The biography hits shelves on December 6th.

Michael K. Williams’ Posthumous Memoir Details Fight That Led to His Facial Scar

In Michael K. Williams’ upcoming posthumous memoir, the actor shares details about the fight that led to his facial scar. It all happened one night at a club in Queens when Williams was out celebrating his 25th birthday. In an attack outside the club, Williams was cut across the face with a knife. Eventually, “the cut healed into one big swollen line and I never felt more ugly,” he writes. But in the world of acting, his scar made him stand out. “Strangers would stop me on the street and say they found my scars striking. I began to get gigs in music videos, not even to dance,” Williams writes in his memoir. “I guess the scar gave me an ‘edge.’ It made me look like the tough guy I wasn’t.” Williams’ memoir Scenes from My Life is available everywhere books are sold on August 23rd.

What the Heck is Going on with DC and Warner Bros.?

It has been a bad week for Warner Brothers and DC when it comes to their upcoming releases. Here’s the rundown.

Oprah Daily Reveals the Cover of Mariana Enriquez’s Our Share of Night

Oprah Daily has revealed the cover of Mariana Enriquez’s upcoming novel Our Share of Night. Enriquez is the author of acclaimed short story collections Things We Lost in the Fire and The Dangers of Smoking in Bed. Her new novel, which hits shelves on February, is the first novel from the author to be translated in English.

Jennette McCurdy’s Memoir Sells Out One Day After Release

iCarly and Sam and Cat star Jennette McCurdy’s memoir sold out on Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble a day after its release. McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died focuses on the author’s abusive mother and the manipulative, inappropriate treatment of child stars at Nickelodeon. Currently, the book is #4 on Amazon’s best-seller charts and #2 in memoirs.

Le Petit Nicolas Illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé Dies Aged 89

Jean-Jacques Sempé, the French cartoonist who illustrated the children’s book series Le Petit Nicolas and produced more covers for the New Yorker magazine than any other artist, has died aged 89. His wife, Martine Gossieaux Sempé, announced the death to Agence France-Presse. “Jean-Jacques Sempé had the elegance to always remain light and he had an eye for everything,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet.

How to Find and Develop a Local Anti-Censorship Group

How to find and develop a local anti-censorship group. That, plus this week’s censorship news from across the U.S.

Brian Tyree Henry to Star in Apple Drama Based on the Book Dope Thief

Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry will be starring in the Apple TV drama series Sinking Spring, an eight-episode drug ring drama based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope Thief. The series is being written by Peter Craig (Top Gun: Maverick, The Batman, The Town). Ridley Scott will executive produce and direct. Sinking Spring will be Henry’s second collaboration with Apple, following the feature film Causeway which is set for a theatrical run and debut on the streaming service later this year.

Novel Inspired by Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House Expected in 2023

The family of the late Shirley Jackson has authorized a novel inspired by The Haunting of Hill House. This is the first time the estate has approved an original narrative based on Jackson’s work. Elizabeth Hand’s A Haunting on the Hill is scheduled for a fall 2023 release. “In conversations with Liz we have become convinced that she will continue our mother’s work in a style and form compatible with Shirley’s,” Jackson’s son Laurence Jackson Hyman said in a statement released through Mulholland Books, Hand’s publisher. “We believe that this initial collaboration with Liz Hand will further enhance the burgeoning literary legacy of Shirley Jackson, and help to continue her literary presence and influence well into the 21st Century.”

Decatur Book Festival Announces Keynote Speaker, Author Lineup

Pete Souza, former Chief White House photographer during the Obama and Reagan administrations, will be the keynote speaker at the 17th annual Decatur Book Festival. The keynote event will take place on September 30th and will kick off the festival that takes place Saturday, October 1st. Participating authors include Saeed Jones (How We Fight for Our Lives), Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves), Justin A. Reynolds (Miles Morales: Shock Waves), Vanessa Riley (Island Queen), and many others. For more details about the festival, check out their official website.

Abortion Misinformation Within Oklahoma City’s Metro Library

A Reddit post went viral for saying that librarians in an Oklahoma library were told not to say “abortion.” Emails reveal how they got there.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris to be Adapted as a Hulu Series

The adaptation of Zakiya Dalila Harris’s The Other Black Girl has officially set nabbed a series order at Hulu. The series comes from Disney’s Onyx Collective and is executive produced by Rashida Jones, Tara Duncan, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Adam Fishbach, Zakiya Dalila Harris, and Danielle Henderson. Danielle Henderson is the showrunner of The Other Black Girl.

Ayesha Curry Adds Book Publishing To Sweet July Brand 

Ayesha Curry has signed a deal with upstart book publishing company Zando to publish books under the Sweet July Books imprint. Curry said her publishing focus will be on four Fs: faith, family, food and female empowerment, with an emphasis on giving writers of color a platform. In an interview with Forbes, Curry said that the disparity between women of color and their white counterparts as writers “certainly lights a fire within me. I think that was also what was exciting for us going into this partnership with Zando, was the ability to kind of shift those metrics even if it’s a little bit.”

A24 Makes a Movie Crossword Puzzle Book

Out today is A24’s new book of 99 movie-themed crossword puzzles by puzzle markers at The New York Times and The New Yorker. The book, which is now available from the A24 shop, is edited by Anna Shechtman, prolific puzzle maker of The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. The book includes nine puzzles co-created with filmmakers, actors and composers, including David Lowery, Jenny Slate, Lulu Wang, Tim Heidecker, Emile Mosseri, Stephanie Hsu, Elsie Fisher, Megan Amram, and Ashley Clark.

Raymond Briggs, Author of The Snowman, Dies at 88

Raymond Briggs, beloved British author and illustrator of popular Christmas story The Snowman, died Tuesday in Brighton, England at the age of 88.