Publishing

Headshot of N.E. Davenport
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, August 2026

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MILESTONES

KUZHALI MANICKAVEL is now represented by Michael Curry at Donald Maass Literary Agency.

KATH RICHARDS is now represented by Bethany Weaver at Weaver Literary Agency. Fangs with Benefits resold to Sam Brody at Forever via Jessica Purdue at Sphere.

The Horror Writers Association will partner with Raw Dog Screaming Press to publish HWA Poetry Showcase Volume XIII and future volumes.

KATHERINE LOCKE is president of the executive board of …Read More

Announcements News Publishing 

Apex Magazine Removes Story for Suspected AI Usage

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Following a careful review, Apex Magazine has removed the story Vigil of the Tenth Air from Apex #153 amid skepticism around the author’s potential use of AI tools for its writing.

Though ultimately not selected for publication, a shortlisted story for Apex imprint Violet Lichen’s upcoming ECO25: the Year’s Best Speculative Ecofiction was also struck from website listings after it came to light that other work associated with the author’s …Read More

blue cover of Trail of Shadows by Mike Allen
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, July 2026

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MILESTONES

ELEANNA CASTROIANNI is now represented by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

ERIN LATIMER, CORAL ALEJANDRA MOORE, and J.C. SNOW are now represented by JABberwocky Literary Agency.

ROBERT J. SAWYER will be writer-in-residence at Calgary’s Alexandria Writers’ Centre Society from September 1 to November 30.

 

AWARDS

Whatever Kills the Pain by C.W. BLACKWELL won Best Long Story, Blind Pig by MICHAEL BRACKEN won Best Short Story, and The …Read More

Simon & Schuster red logo
News Publishing 

S&S Relaunches Pocket Books

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Simon & Schuster has announced that Atria Gallery Group will relaunch the Pocket Books imprint as a core romance imprint that will also publish additional genres including romantic thrillers, dark romance, and horror. Anh Schluep, who is joining Atria Gallery, will be vice president, editorial director, and deputy publisher of Pocket Books. Schluep said,

I’m excited to be bringing back Pocket Books. The imprint, which published its first list in …Read More

Cover of Starlog magazine featuring the rings of Saturn
News Publishing 

Starlog Magazine to Relaunch with Podcast

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Starlog, the magazine devoted to visionary sci-fi and cutting-edge science, has announced its return to print for November 13, 2026. The magazine will be published annually; there will also be a weekly email newsletter, Lodestar.

Annalee Newitz will serve as editor-in-chief, with Meredith Borders as senior editor and Jason Kauzlarich as senior art director. In a podcast episode announcing the relaunch, Newitz described the goals of the print issue:

…Read More

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News Publishing 

New Imprint: Pink Beam Press

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Keith Giles, co-owner of independent publisher Quoir, has announced the launch of new SF imprint Pink Beam Press, which will publish visionary, provocative, and genre-defying speculative fiction.

The imprint will launch at the Philip K. Dick Festival 2026 with seven SF novellas: Sim Cop and the Haunted City by David Agranoff, Shadowboxing by Gordon Bonnet, Glitch by Brian Evenson, Hard Video by Keith Giles, Bloody 13 by Sarah Langan, …Read More

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International News Publishing 

Profile Books Acquires Solaris

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Rebellion Publishing imprint Solaris has announced that it is being acquired by Profile Books. As of July 1, 2026 Profile will take over turnover and ebook distribution. As of September 1, it will take over physical books. Solaris staff Amy Borsuk, Natalie Sorrell Charlesworth, Jess Gofton, David Thomas Moore, and Amanda Raybould will transfer across.

Profile CEO Rebecca Gray said,

We are thrilled to be taking this big step into …Read More

Red and white cover of Rest Stop
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, June 2026

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MILESTONES

CJ CHERRYH announced her retirement from writing on Facebook. She thanks her publisher Betsy Wollheim and wife Jane, who is all things.

KELLY MURASHIGE is now represented by Ashley Reisinger of Triada US. Murashige sold Milkiverse, in which a neurodiverse woman discovers that drinking her customers’ leftover milk allows her to enter alternate worlds in which she is finally happy, to Alexa Wejko at Soho Press via Savannah …Read More

Subterranean Press logo
News Publishing 

Subterranean Press to Close

Alice Strangman 1 Comment

After a long career of publishing gorgeous limited editions, collections, art books, and novellas, publisher Bill Schafer has shared the news that Subterranean Press will be permanently closing in the coming years. Subterranean intends to continue publishing work through the end of 2027, which may bleed into 2028 as we wrap things up. Schafer says,

We want to handle this in a structured, orderly fashion, which will include communicating with …Read More

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie releases this week.
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, May 2026

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MILESTONES

JON COURTENAY GRIMWOOD is now represented by John Jarrold Literary Agency.

LYNNE M. THOMAS and MICHAEL DAMIAN THOMAS were amicably divorced on April 2. Uncanny Magazine is now entirely under the ownership of Michael Damian Thomas per the divorce settlement.

 

BOOKS SOLD

S.A. CHAKRABORTY sold an untitled novel and another book to David Pomerico at Harper Voyager US for seven figures via Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates. …Read More

Black and white 3AM Books imprint logo
News Publishing 

New Imprint: 3AM Books

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Transworld has announced the launch 3AM Books, Penguin Random House’s first dedicated horror imprint. The imprint will reflect the full range and ambition of horror today, bringing together established voices, bold new talent and a growing community of readers, according to The Bookseller.

Imprint leadership will include publishing director Rachel Winterbottom, editorial director Simon Taylor, editor Nicole Witmer, assistant editor Anna Carvanova, marketing executive Molly Openshaw, press officer Nina Lewis, …Read More

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News Publishing 

Bloomsbury Layoffs

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

UK-based publisher Bloomsbury has announced plans to streamline its structure for future growth, after doubling its sales in four years, more than doubling its profits in 2023-2024, and increasing headcount from 738 to 1,238 in five years. The plans include cutting about 55 roles in the US and UK.

The company will restructure its three major editorial divisions to Bloomsbury Global Academic & Professional, Bloomsbury USA, and Bloomsbury Consumer UK. …Read More

Black and white Watkins Publishing logo, featuring a crested bird
News Publishing 

Watkins Publishing Sold

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

Mind, body, and spirit-focused publishing company Red Wheel/Weiser has announced that it has acquired the majority of the titles of Watkins Media’s flagship imprint, Watkins Publishing. Other Watkins Media imprints, such as Angry Robot, Datura, and Repeater, are not currently affected by the acquisition. Distribution will continue through PRH Publisher Services in the US and Wiley in the UK until July 1, 2026, when Red Wheel/Weiser will begin to …Read More

Logo of Farrar, Straus & Giroux (FSG)
News Publishing 

MCD Closes

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President and publisher of Farrar, Straus & Giroux Mitzi Angel announced in a memo that the MCD imprint is set to close, with MCD publisher Sean McDonald leaving FSG April 15. Angel cited financial realities for their decision to focus on FSG’s core programming, including AUWA Books, FSG Originals, North Point Press, Picador, and Quanta Books.

MCD opened in 2016 at the behest of FSG then-president Jonathan Galassi, naming McDonald …Read More

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News Publishing 

PEN America Launches Author Safety Program

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

PEN America has announced plans to launch a US Author Safety Program meant to protect against harassment and threats. Supporters include Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Random House, David Baldacci, and the New York Community Trust, which have contributed nearly $1 million to the program thus far. PEN America is seeking further support and will hold an auction in spring 2026 to benefit the program.

The safety program follows …Read More

green cover of the greatest possible good by ben brooks
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, April 2026

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MILESTONES

SARA HASHEM is now represented by Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Hashem’s Merciful Carnage, first in a dark fantasy romance duology, and another book went to Alyea Canada at Orbit via Jennifer Azantian of Azantian Literary Agency. UK rights sold to Jenni Hill at Orbit UK.

HANNAH WASTYK is now represented by Arley Sorg at kt literary.

OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI has been hospitalized for a spinal fracture …Read More

News Publishing 

Hachette Pulls Shy Girl Over Suspected AI Use

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

Hachette Book Group has cancelled the upcoming US release and will discontinue the UK release of horror novel Shy Girl by Mia Ballard after reviewing the text for signs of generative AI use.

Shy Girl was self-published in February 2025 and republished in November in the UK by Hachette imprint Wildfire. NielsenIQ BookData measured the UK sales at approximately 1,800 print copies. According toThe Guardian, the book was recently …Read More

Purple logo for Zando imprint Evil Twin
News Publishing 

New Imprint: Evil Twin

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

Zando announced the launch of Evil Twin, a new imprint focusing on horror, from psychological twists to supernatural terror and bone-chilling gore, in February 2026.

According to Publishers Weekly, Nancy Trypuc, deputy director of marketing at Zando, will be the publishing director. Masie Cochran, editorial director, and Hayley Wagreich, director of original development, will oversee acquisitions.

Zando CEO Molly Stern said,

As we have with Slowburn, Zando is building on …Read More

White cover of Wicked by Jennifer L Armentrout
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, March 2026

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MILESTONES

CURTIS C. CHEN is now represented by Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency.

JOSUE OF PACHUCA is now represented by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

 

AWARDS

MARTHA WELLS was presented the Alamo Literary Arts Maintenance Organization Copperhead Award at AggieCon 55 for contributions to Texas fandom.

 

BOOKS SOLD

STEPHEN KING and PETER STRAUB sold Other Worlds Than These, the final book of the Talisman Trilogy, to …Read More

Black cover of Empire of Flame and Thorns
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, February 2026

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MILESTONES

JAMES PATTERSON is now represented by UTA.

 

AWARDS

OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI‘s Birth of Orisha, R.W. HARTSHORN‘s The Bellow, the Ache, ELLEN BIRKETT MORRIS‘s Home Repair Manual, and TERESE SVOBODA‘s Dot and Edward have been shortlisted for the 2025 Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Award.

 

BOOKS SOLD

KEVIN J. ANDERSON sold Dinosaur Homestead to Blackstone Publishing/Weird Tales Presents.

WON-PYUNG SOHN sold Land of Youth, set in near-future Korea …Read More

Logo of Tor imprint Wildthorn Books
News Publishing 

New Imprint: Wildthorn Books

Alice Strangman 0 Comments

Tor Publishing Group has announced a new imprint, Wildthorn Books. The imprint will focus on commercial stories that are irresistible, genre-blending and genre-bending. Categories and genres published under the imprint will include commercial and upmarket women’s fiction, suspense, paranormal mystery, magical realism, speculative non-fiction, and historical fantasy.

Wildthorn Books launches globally with Tor UK. Devi Pillai will be the president and publisher; Monique Patterson, who joined in 2023 with …Read More

Black cover of The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, January 2026

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MILESTONES

KIT MAYQUIST is now represented by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

FIONA ERSKINE is now represented by John Jarrold Literary Agency.

TERRI TE TAU has been appointed as a Creative New Zealand Emerging Māori Writer in Residence for 2026 at the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML).

 

BOOKS SOLD

R.R. SCHAEFFER‘s A Fable for Hollow Creatures, first in a dark fantasy series about a monster hunter who partners …Read More

SFWA 2020 logo
News Publishing 

Must Read Changes Contract Language

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Must Read Magazines has announced in a press release that it has revised the boilerplate language in writers’ contracts for Analog,Asimov’s, andF&SF. They say that the new changes target concerns raised by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA).

In July 2025, SFWA announced that the organization had suggested several contract language changes to Must Read, following concerns about Analog‘s contract terms and its delisting from website The Submission …Read More

News Publishing 

Nielsen Hayden Retires from Tor

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Longtime SFF editor Patrick Nielsen Hayden retired from Tor on January 5, 2026. In his tenure at Tor he had served as VP, associate publisher, and editor-in-chief before shifting to editor-at-large in 2024. His influence and impact on the field is immeasurable and includes launching the careers of many celebrated authors, as well as being instrumental in the development of Tor.com (now Reactor) and the Tor Essentials line. His involvement …Read More

Blue cover of Aniara by Harry Martinson
News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, December 2025

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MILESTONES

CHIARA BULLEN is now represented by Emily Barrett at the Blair Partnership. The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance and another book sold to Anne Groell at Del Rey in a pre-empt via Jessica Mileo of Inkwell Management on behalf of The Blair Partnership. UK rights went to Sam Bradbury at Del Rey UK via Bea Fitzgerald while part of The Blair Partnership.

LAURA BLACKWELL is now represented …Read More

News Publishing 

Psychopomp and Fantasy Magazine News

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Sean Markey, publisher of Psychopomp,The Deadlands, andFantasy Magazine, has announced that Psychopomp will no longer be publishing novellas or novelettes, nonfiction on Psychopomp is on hiatus, and Fantasy Magazine will go on hiatus after its December issue.

Markey wrote,

The biggest reason we’ve arrived at this point is the most obvious one: funding….

Making a long story short:

  • we did not sell enough copies of novellas to make it …Read More

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Announcements Awards News Publishing 

Time Magazine’s Must-Read Books of 2025

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TimeMagazine has released a list of 100 Must-Read Books of 2025. Works and authors of genre interest include:

  • The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), Rabih Alameddine (Grove)
  • Book of Lives, Margaret Atwood (Doubleday)
  • Sweet Heat, Bolu Babalola (William Morrow)
  • The Martians, David Baron (Liveright)
  • Cursed Daughters, Oyinkan Braithwaite (Doubleday)
  • Moderation, Elaine Castillo (Atlantic/Viking)
  • Pan, Michael Clune (Penguin)
  • King of Ashes, S.A. Cosby (Flatiron)
  • One …Read More

News Publishing 

Simon & Schuster Launches Scarlett Press

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On October 1, 2025 Simon & Schuster announced the launch of Scarlett Press, a New Adult imprint dedicated to commercial, fast-paced, romance-forward books in all genres, geared to readers 18 and above, and its inaugural list of titles scheduled for Spring 2026, all of which are of genre interest.

The titles are Empire of Flames and Thorns, Marion Blackwood; City of Gods and Monsters, Kayla Edwards;Amid Clouds and Bones, Ella …Read More

News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, November 2025

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MILESTONES

VAISHNAVI PATEL is now represented by Jordan Hill of New Leaf Literary & Media. Patel sold contemporary fantasy We Dance Upon Demons, following a burnt-out reproductive health care worker, to Sareena Kamath at Saga Press via Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency.

OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI is now represented by Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media.

ROBERT J. SAWYER will be a Writer in Residence at the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Institute for Advanced …Read More

News Publishing 

Tachyon 30th Anniversary Party

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For its 30th anniversary, Tachyon Publications hosted a celebratory party and reading, held Sunday, October 5, 2025 at the San Francisco Public Library in San Francisco CA. After light refreshments in the lobby, the Koret Auditorium opened at 3:00 p.m. for an SF in SF reading by Tachyon authors Joe R. Lansdale and Samantha Mills.

The San Francisco Public Library further commemorated Tachyon’s 30th with an exhibit on the third …Read More

News Publishing 

People & Publishing Roundup, October 2025

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MILESTONES

After a recent lung transplant procedure, 76-year-old SF author JEFFREY A. CARVER suffered multiple strokes and is in a coma.

SARAH PINSKER is now represented by Kate McKean at Morhaim Literary Agency.

AWARDS

ROXANE GAY is the recipient of the National Book Foundation’s 2025 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, to be presented at the National Book Awards Ceremony on November 19, 2025.

ANDRZEJ SAPKOWSKI …Read More

News Publishing 

On Spec to Close

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Canadian SF magazineOn Spec is closing after 35 years. December’s issue #134 will be the last. Managing editor Diane Walton explained in an editorial to issue #133:

Earlier this year, I announced that I’d be retiring and leavingOn Specat the end of December, and my final issue as Managing Editor would be VOL 35 No 4. After much soul-searching, and discussion with the rest of our editorial staff, the …Read More