Arthur Sze Named U.S. Poet Laureate
The Library of Congress has named the author of Sight Lines, which won the 2019 National Book Award in Poetry, the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. more...Self-Publishers Rise Up at 2025 Ignatz Awards
While Fantagraphics took home two of the evening’s biggest prizes, independent creators made a strong showing at the 28th annual Ignatz Awards, presented on September 13 at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Md. more...
Federal Judge Tosses Trump’s Lawsuit Against PRH, ‘NYT’
U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion disparagement suit against Penguin Random House and the New York Times, filed earlier this week, calling it “improper and impermissible in its present form.” more...
Disney, Webtoon Strike Deal for New Digital Platform
Under the tentative agreement, Webtoon will develop a digital comics platform featuring some 35,000 works produced by Disney, including Marvel and Star Wars titles. As part of the deal, Disney has agreed to buy a 2% stake in Webtoon. more...and more.
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Business DealsPrivate Equity Firm Acquires Two Leading Hybrid Publishers
Greenleaf Book Group and Amplify Publishing Group, two of the country’s oldest and best-known hybrid publishing companies, have been acquired by Civica Media, a new publisher formed by private equity firm BlackBern Partners.
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People
LeVar Burton Named ABA’s Indie Bookstore Ambassador
As the American Booksellers Association’s Indie Bookstore Ambassador for 2025-2026, Burton will champion independent booksellers, including on Small Business Saturday on November 29 and Independent Bookstore Day on April 25, 2026.
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Comics
Panel Mania: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon’ by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman
DC Comics reimagines the origins and powers of one of its signature superheroes in its Eisner Award–winning Absolute Universe version of Wonder Woman. A 6-page excerpt.
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Business Deals
Publishers Warily Await Completion of ReaderLink-B&T Deal
While relieved that the library wholesaler will remain in business, many publishers and other suppliers have voiced concerns about not being paid in full for what they are owed by Baker & Taylor.
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Bookselling
Bluestockings Workers Clash with Owners Over Store Closing
Worker-stewards at Bluestockings Cooperative on New York’s Lower East Side allege that they were given no advance warning that the 26-year-old bookstore would shutter, while its co-owners say that they had no choice due to the store’s precarious financial situation.
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Comics
TMNT x Naruto: PW Talks with Caleb Goellner and Hendry Prasetya
This fall, two generations of ninja teens join forces in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto by Caleb Goellner and Hendry Prasetya. We spoke with the duo about how East met West, ramen met pizza, and “Dattebayo!” met “Cowabunga!”
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Awards & Prizes
Choi, Desai, Kitamura Among Booker Prize Finalists
The six finalists include Americans Susan Choi and Katie Kitamura as well as previous winner Kieran Desai. The winner will be announced November 10.
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Shows & Events
At PoP, Publishing’s Finance Minds Share How Strategy Drives Acquisitions
The inaugural People of Publishing conference, hosted by the Association of American Literary Agents at the New York Academy of Medicine on September 17, convened a panel of financial decision-makers to unpack the calculations behind every book deal.
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Publisher News
Book Industry Divided Over AI Adoption, Finds BISG Survey
Nearly half of book industry professionals are using artificial intelligence tools for work, but 98% report significant concerns about AI implementation, according to new survey data from the Book Industry Study Group released in September.
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Publisher News
David C Cook Rebrands as Cook Media Global
CEO Bill Reeves announced September 19 that book publisher David C Cook, Integrity Music, and Group Publishing, which produces Vacation Bible School materials, will continue to be the cornerstones of Cook Media Global.
