People & Publishing Roundup, March 2024

MILESTONES

DAVID-CHRISTOPHER GAL­HEA is now represented via Ginger Clark Literary.

DANI RAANAN is now repre­sented by the John Jarrold Literary Agency.

J. FEDERLE is now a client of Ginger Clark Literary.

 

AWARDS

SUSAN COOPER is the 40th recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, presented via the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association. She will be honored June 6-9, 2024, at the 59th Nebula Awards Ceremony in ...Read More

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Tidhar Pens Animated Series

Lavie Tidhar has written a seven-part animated series, Mars Machines, “an absurdist buddy comedy set in a kitchen on Mars, where every appliance hides a dark secret,” animated and scored by Nir Yaniv and produced by Yaniv’s company Postironish. The first four episodes are up now, with more released weekly.

For more, see the Positronish website.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); While you are here, please take a moment ...Read More

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Otherwise Award Hiatus

The Otherwise Award, “an award encouraging the exploration and expansion of gender,” is going on hiatus. In a blog post on the Otherwise Award website, chair Sumana Harihareswara wrote:

Our Motherboard met recently to discuss how to move forward. We remain dedicated to our mission: to celebrate science fiction, fantasy, and other forms of speculative narrative that expand and explore our understanding of gender. But we’re discussing how, as an ...Read More

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2024 Philip K. Dick Award Judges

The five judges for the Philip K. Dick Award for works of science fiction published as paperback originals in the US during the year 2024 have been announced:

  • Maurice Broaddus, 533 E. 32nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205-3871; pdf files to Broaddus.Assistant@gmail.com
  • C.S. Friedman, 585 Grove St, Ste 145 #642, Herndon VA 20170-4791 (USPS shipments only); epub files to Wkdata99@gmail.com
  • Rajan Khanna, 6 Willig Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125-3325; epub files to
...Read More Read more

SFWA Career Mentorship Program Open to Applications

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has opened applications their 2024 career mentoring program, seeking both mentors and mentees. The program is “is an all-volunteer service provided free of charge… with the objective of providing community, sharing knowledge, and offering networking opportunities.”

Applications are open from February 13 to February 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information, or to apply, see the announcement on the ...Read More

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People & Publishing Roundup, February 2024

MILESTONES

LESLYE PENELOPE is now represented by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

MEG ELISON is now repre­sented by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

AWARDS

R.L. STINE and KATHERINE HALL PAGE have been named the 2024 Mystery Writers of America Grand Masters. MICHAELA HAMILTON of Kensington Publishing will receive the Ellery Queen Award. The recipients will be honored at the annual Edgar Awards ceremony on May 1, 2024 in New York ...Read More

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Simon & Schuster’s 100 Most Influential Titles

Simon & Schuster has compiled a list of the 100 most influential titles published during the company’s history, as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations. Several works of genre interest were listed, including:

  • Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury (Simon & Schuster)
  • City of Bones, Cassandra Clare (Margaret K. McElderry)
  • The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper (Margaret K. McElderry)
  • The House of the Scorpion, Nancy Farmer (Atheneum Books
...Read More Read more

2023 Recommended Reading List

  Welcome to the annual Locus Recommended Reading List!

Another spin around the ole ball of fire and we’re back to our annual Recommended Reading List for 2023! Published in Locus magazine’s February 2024 issue, the list is put together by Locus editors, columnists, outside reviewers, and other professionals and well-known critics of genre fiction and non-fiction. We looked at 1,012 titles from 2023 in short fiction and long fiction. The ...Read More

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Hugo Awards Nominations Are Open

Nominations are now open for the Hugo Awards, the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, to be presented at Glasgow 2024, A Worldcon for Our Futures, the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention, to be held August 8-12, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. The convention says,

The first stage, nomination, is open to anyone who has a WSFS Membership in the previous or ...Read More

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Baldacci Named PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion

Author David Baldacci has been named the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion to recognize “a lifetime of devoted literary advocacy and a commitment to inspiring new generations of readers and writers.”

PEN/Faulkner executive director Gwydion Suilebhan said,

David Baldacci, whose novels have captivated millions of readers worldwide, has been a paragon of service to the literary community… PEN/Faulkner is dedicated to the idea that fiction creates empathy within and among communities ...Read More

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AI-Generated Novel Wins Chinese Competition

The Jinan Times reports that the AI-generated novel Land of Memories by Shen Yang was a winner of the Jiangsu Youth Popular Science Science Fiction Competition, held by the Jiangsu Science Writers Association. The competition rules did not ban the use of artificial intelligence, and the novel was awarded second place.

The text of the novel was written entirely by AI, with some editing by Yang. Competition judges reported mixed ...Read More

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New York Library Top Checkouts of 2023

The New York Public Library (NYPL), the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Queens Public Library have each released lists of their most-borrowed books of 2023.

The most borrowed book for Queens Public Library was Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Entangled); and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (William Morrow) was one of the top checkouts at NYPL. Featured books across all three systems included Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin ...Read More

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Kate Mosse Awarded CBE

Kate Mosse, author of the Languedoc Trilogy (Berkley), Crucifix Lane (Hodder & Stoughton), and The Winter Ghosts (Orion), has been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for “services to literature, to women, and to charity.” Mosse co-founded the Women’s Prize For Fiction, the UK’s highest award for writing by women.

The title was conferred as part of the 2024 New Year’s Honours List. Other honorees included filmmaker Ridley ...Read More

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Best Horror of the Year 2024 Submission Call

Ellen Datlow is accepting submissions for her 17th Best Horror of the Year anthology, to be published by Night Shade Books and covering material appearing in 2024.

I am looking for stories and poetry from all branches of horror: supernatural, uncanny, sf horror, psychological, dark crime, terror tales, or anything else that might qualify. This is an all reprint anthology, so I’ll only consider material published in 2024. Deadline is ...Read More

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People & Publishing Roundup, December and January 2023

MILESTONES

JESMYN WARD’s Let Us De­scend (Scribner) has been chosen by Oprah Winfrey as the next title for her Book Club. Winfrey said, “I have read all of Jesmyn Ward’s books and have been a fan of her writing for years. Let Us Descend is a vital work for our culture and I’m so excited to have her newest offering as part of our Book Club.”

 

AWARDS

NNEDI ...Read More

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Paxson and Son Assaulted

Author Diana L. Paxson, 80, and her son Ian Grey were attacked at home in Berkeley CA on December 8, 2023, sustaining minor injuries. Diana and her son were hospitalized following the assault, but were released on Sunday and are now recovering.

The assailant was arrested on December 12 by the Oakland Police Department and is being held without bail.

On Facebook, Paxson said the attacker was a member of ...Read More

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Mohamed to Be Writer-In-Residence

Premee Mohamed has been named a 2024 Writer-In-Residence at Edmonton Public Library (EPL) in Edmonton, Canada, and will mentor local writers and facilitate community programs.

Mohamed said, “I am honoured to be chosen as the EPL’s next Writer in Residence, particularly because I would never be where I am today without a lifetime of accessing Edmonton’s amazing library resources…. I am excited to support creators working in all formats and ...Read More

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Call for Submissions for Indopantheology: Stories from the Spiritual Margins

OD Ekpeki Presents has announced a submissions call for Indopantheology: Stories from the Spiritual Margins, a new anthology co-edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Rimi B. Chatterjee & Mary Anne Mohanraj. Submissions are open until March 31, 2024.

Indopantheology maps the realm of the spiritual imagination, comprising all soul-matters from the most worldly of dreams to the most numinous of visions. If that is what you wish to explore, then ...Read More

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The Washington Post‘s Best SFF of 2023

The Washington Post has released its list of the best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2023, as chosen by Charlie Jane Anders.

  • Rouge, Mona Awad (Maryseu Rucci)
  • To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, Moniquill Blackgoose (Del Ray)
  • The Great Transition, Nick Fuller Googins (Atria)
  • The Water Outlaws, S.L. Huang (Tor)
  • Godkiller, Hannah Kaner (Harper Voyager)
  • The Deep Sky, Yume Kitasei (Flatiron)
  • White Cat, Black
...Read More Read more

People & Publishing Roundup, November 2023

MILESTONES

CHARLES E. GANNON is now represented by Vaughne Hansen & Christine Cohen of the Virginia Kidd Agency.

 

AWARDS

NICOLA GRIFFITH’s Spear (Tordotcom) was longlisted for the 2023 Crown Awards, presented by the Historical Writers Associa­tion. The shortlist was announced October 18, 2023, and winners will be revealed on November 22, 2023.

NAOMI KRITZER’s ‘‘The Dragon Project’’ (Clarkesworld 3/22) won the Washington Science Fiction Association Small Press ...Read More

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Call for Submissions for Between Dystopias: The Passage To Caribbean Pantheology

OD Ekpeki Presents has announced a submissions call for Between Dystopias: The Passage To Caribbean Pantheology, a new anthology co-edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Tonya Liburd, E.G. Condé, and Fabrice Guerrier. Submissions are open from October 16 to February 11, 2024.

We define Caribbean Pantheology as stories spoken, sung, or written that evoke the wonder, horror, and joy of the Caribbean experience. Caribbean Pantheology will receive, read, translate and ...Read More

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Publishers Weekly Best Books 2023

Publishers Weekly has announced its list of the best books of 2023, divided into 13 categories.

Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park (Random House) was on the overall Top 10 list.

The best books in the SF/Fantasy/Horror category are:

  • Chain-Gang All-Stars, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (Pantheon)
  • Our Share of Night, Mariana Enriquez (Hogarth)
  • The Water Outlaws, S.L. Huang (Tordotcom)
  • Translation State, Ann Leckie (Orbit)
  • Like Smoke
...Read More Read more

Brooklyn Books & Booze Reading Series

The Brooklyn Books & Booze Reading Series holds events from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Barrow’s Intense Tasting Room, 86 34th Street, Brooklyn NY.
Three to four authors read each month, mingling SF and mystery/thriller writers. The event organized is by Randee Dawn, and admission is free.
Readings for the remainder of the year are:
  • 10/30:/23: Steven Van Patten, Terence Taylor, Ben
...Read More Read more

Worlds of IF Revival

Worlds of IF magazine is being relaunched. According to their press release:

The classic science fiction magazine Worlds of IF will live again starting February 2024. The magazine will be relaunched with Justin Sloane of Starship Sloane as editor-in-chief and publisher, Jean-Paul L. Garnier of Space Cowboy Books filling the role of deputy-editor-in-chief, and Dr. Daniel Pomarède as science editor. The inaugural issue will be available both in print and ...Read More

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IAFA Announces New Appointments

The International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (IAFA) has just announced Amanda Firestone as their new Registar, and Farrah Mendlesohn as their new Crawford Award Director.

Candice Thornton, IAFA Public Information Officer, announced:

These new appointments, along with the ongoing dedication of our members and supporters, reinforce our commitment to advancing the study and appreciation of the fantastic in the arts. We look forward to a bright future ...Read More

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Susan C. Petrey Clarion Scholarship Fund To Close

Debbie Cross and Paul Wrigley have announced the end of the Susan C. Petrey Clarion Scholarship Fund. Over the past 43 years, the fund has awarded 71 scholarships to Clarion & Clarion West Writers Workshops in Michigan, Seattle, and San Diego.

The fund was established as a memorial for writer Susan C. Petrey, who died in 1980. At first, scholarships were awarded just to the Clarion Workshop. With the restart ...Read More

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LeVar Burton to Host National Book Awards

LeVar Burton (actor and host of the LeVar Burton Reads podcast) will host the 2023 National Book Awards ceremony on November 15, 2023.

Burton replaces actor and talk show host Drew Barrymore, whose invitation to host was rescinded after she announced plans to cross the Writers Guild of America picket line during the recent strike. Burton previously hosted the 2019 National Book Awards.

Burton said, “It’s an honor to return ...Read More

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People & Publishing Roundup, October 2023

MILESTONES

Sibling author duo ELIZA­BETH & KATHARINE CORR are now represented by Pérez Literary & Entertainment.

AWARDS

Writer, producer, and pup­peteer MARTY KROFFT, 86, won the Julie Award for life­time achievement in multiple genres, presented at Dragon Con.

RICH LARSON’s ‘‘Quandary Aminu vs The Butterfly Man’’ (Tor.com 9/21/22) won the 2023 Eugie Foster Memorial Award for Short Fiction, and Larson received $1,000 and a plaque. The award, announced ...Read More

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HWA 2023 Election Results

The Horror Writers Association (HWA) has announced the results of the election for its open officers’ positions. Lisa (L. Marie) Wood was elected Vice President. As previously announced, Michael Knost filled the role of Treasurer. Brian Keene was newly elected to the Board of Trustees, along with re-elected Trustees Lisa Kröger, Brian Matthews, and Angela Yuriko Smith.

The Election Committee included RJ Joseph, Nicole Givens Kurtz, and Eugen Bacon. The

...Read More Read more

Orbit Announces Free Virtual Event Series

Orbit has announced “How to Write Your First SFF Novel,” a free virtual event series for aspiring speculative fiction authors. The series will run from October 11 to November 15, 2023.

Each event in the series is a virtual panel discussion with four SF writers on topics including “How to Choose an Idea for Your Novel”, “Tropes as Writing Tools”, “Writing While Working or Caretaking”, and more. Panelists include P. ...Read More

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2023 Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds Grants Winners

The Speculative Literature Foundation (SLF) announced that Ysabelle Cheung has won the 2023 Diverse Writers Grant for “Please, Get Out and Dance”, and Edward Rathke the 2023 Diverse Worlds Grant for “The Wicked Flee”.

The Diverse Writers Grant is “intended to support new and emerging writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. — those whose marginalized identities may ...Read More

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Kimberley Atkins Named Head of Zeus Publishing Director

Kimberley Atkins has joined Head of Zeus as fiction publishing director, where she will “spearhead the strategy and publishing for the company’s Aria, Aries and Apollo Fiction imprints.”

Atkins was previously editorial director at Hodder & Stoughton, commissioning commercial women’s fiction.

Atkins said,

I am delighted to be joining the dynamic team at Head of Zeus and to help shape their fiction publishing across the Aria, Aries and Apollo lists. ...Read More

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