Happy Friday, writers! I hope everyone has had a wonderful couple of weeks and are managing to stay nice and cool during this extra warm summer. The humidity has been next level here in Toronto and I am extremely jealous of anyone who lives somewhere with "dry heat".

We celebrated Romance Awareness Month this week by testing our romance history knowledge. Be sure to take our quiz and let us know how well you do!

Now let's take a quick look at what's been happening in the publishing world:

Hachette Book Group is acquiring Workman Publishing.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/87155-hbg-to-acquire-workman-for-240-million.html

Penguin Classics is launching an environmental imprint.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/26/penguin-classics-launches-new-canon-of-environmental-literature

Jonathan Mattingly, one of the officers responsible for the murder of Breonna Taylor, has returned his book advance after the distributor dropped his book.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/police-officer-in-breonna-taylor-shooting-seeks-new-book-publisher-11629318016

A sudden price change for Amanda Gorman's book shocked booksellers.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/87229-gorman-book-s-price-hike-startles-booksellers.html

Two members of PEN International have been murdered in Afghanistan.

Two members of PEN International have been murdered by the Taliban.

An LGBTQ+ picture book has been published in Russia in an attempt to combat the country's LGBT propaganda laws.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/17/picture-book-russia-lgbt-gay-propaganda-law-lawrence-schimel?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20August%2018%2C%202021&utm_term=lithub_master_list

Four authors are working to bring more Afro Latinx books to kids.

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/afro-latinx-childrens-books-hyphenated/index.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20August%2027%2C%202021&utm_term=lithub_master_list

ARCs of popular novels are selling for thousands online.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/sally-rooney-j-k-rowling-rare-books-11629289784?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20August%2019%2C%202021&utm_term=lithub_master_list

A library in Hamilton, Ontario recently celebrated a book was that returned 27 years after it's due back date.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/aldous-huxley-27-years-library-book-1.6151564

A record label in Scotland is working on creating soundtracks for novels.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/27/writers-notes-the-record-labels-remixing-novels-into-music-bibliotapes

Paul McCartney's upcoming book will reveal never-before-seen Beatles lyrics.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/23/paul-mccartney-to-reveal-unseen-beatles-lyrics-in-new-book?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20August%2024%2C%202021&utm_term=lithub_master_list

Huge news for Judy Blume fans: Forever is finally becoming an audiobook!

https://ew.com/books/after-46-years-judy-blumes-forever-is-becoming-an-audiobook/

Now for some fun pieces I've loved recently. First, an essay that argues that middle grade novels aren't just for kids.

Why Adults Should Read Middle Grade Books

I really enjoyed this piece on the rise of Instagram in fiction.

https://newrepublic.com/article/163238/uncomfortable-rise-instagram-novel-touch-jen-beth-morgan?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20August%2013,%202021&utm_term=lithub_master_list

Even though horror as a genre is not for me (I scare far too easy for spooky books), I did love this piece on the influence that female writers have had on the genre.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/12/from-mary-shelley-to-carmen-maria-machado-women-have-profoundly-shaped-horror

Have a great weekend!

Staff Pick

Vanessa, KWL/Originals Content Coordinator

"A super suspenseful read and gives an in depth look into the struggles of motherhood. The Push was a good thriller that kept me on my toes."

The Push