industry
MC BEATON FALL GIVEAWAY
Hachette Book Group launches an engaging fall giveaway celebrating the works of MC Beaton, inviting fans to connect with her iconic characters.
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The Publishing Times
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Blog · Publishing Intelligence
Publishing Intelligence & Guides
In-depth articles, how-to guides, and industry analysis for self-published authors.
publishing-news
Zimbabwe's Simbarashe Kundizeza Wins the 2026 Caine Prize for African Writing
Simbarashe Steyn Kundizeza's "The Blue Fighter," first published by The Shallow Tales Review, wins the £10,000 2026 Caine Prize for African Writing.
publishing-news
Media Coalition Wins the First IPA Freedom of Expression Defenders Award
The International Publishers Association gave its first Freedom of Expression Defenders Award to the Media Coalition, the U.S. group that sues to block book-restriction laws.
publishing-news
Informa Plans to Separate Taylor & Francis, Its Academic Publishing Arm
Informa says it will separate Taylor & Francis, the academic publisher behind Routledge and CRC Press, and report the chosen route in March 2027.
Industry Analysis
Frankfurt 2026: The Reckoning of Publishing Rights
As Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026 opens its doors, the archaic trade of selling global publishing rights is facing a brutal digital reality.
publishing-news
Anthropic Tells Australia's AI Inquiry That Licensing Everything It Trains On Is 'Technically Impossible'
At an Australian parliamentary AI hearing, Anthropic said current copyright law makes local model training impossible. Creative groups said the law should stay as it is.
publishing-news
Spotify Takes Audiobooks From 22 Markets to More Than 180 by the End of 2026
Spotify says audiobooks will reach more than 180 markets by the end of 2026, up from 22, with Premium hours, Audiobooks+ and direct sales depending on the market.
Industry News
The TRACE Project and the Battle for AI Interoperability
As the TRACE project launches to advance AI interoperability in publishing, the industry faces a pivotal choice between open standards and closed walled gardens.
industry
The Antlered Ape by Joshua David Robison
Joshua David Robison's 'The Antlered Ape' exemplifies genre-blending with dark themes of survival. Indie authors can learn from its compelling storytelling.
book-awards
Dispelling the Myth of Cormac McCarthy as Cowboy-Artist
A new biography of Cormac McCarthy dispels the myth of the cowboy-artist, urging indie authors to focus on authenticity in their narratives.
book-awards
ANONYMITY
Explore the power of authenticity in storytelling with Miriam's journey in 'Anonymity', a memoir that resonates deeply and encourages genuine connections.
publishing-news
Authors Report Amazon Reverting Permafree Ebooks to Paid as Price-Match Questions Mount
A verified KDP Community post describes 26 of 37 permafree titles flipping to paid over one weekend. Amazon has not commented publicly.
publishing-news
National Book Foundation Names 25 Finalists for the 2026 National Book Awards
The National Book Foundation named 25 Finalists across five categories for the 2026 National Book Awards. Winners will be announced November 18 in New York.
publishing-news
Valsoft Buys NetGalley, Firebrand and Supadu From Media Do for $20 Million
Montreal's Valsoft has bought the Firebrand Group, home of NetGalley, Firebrand Technologies and Supadu, from Japan's Media Do. Valsoft already owns Edelweiss.
obituaries
Jeffrey Archer, Bestselling Novelist and Former Tory Peer, Dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer, whose novels including Kane and Abel sold more than 300 million copies, died at home on October 5, a day before his final novel, Adam and Eve, was published.
publishing-news
Amazon Ebook Antitrust Case: Judge Recommends a 30 Million-Buyer Class
A magistrate judge has recommended certifying a class of more than 30 million Amazon ebook buyers. A less-redacted version of his report was refiled in early October, and Amazon has objected.
publishing-news
German Publishers Open Frankfurt With an Appeal for AI Training Transparency
As Frankfurter Buchmesse opens, the Börsenverein published the Frankfurt Appeal, backed by 120 publishers, asking EU and German lawmakers to force AI firms to disclose training data.
publishing-news
Goodreads Adds Half- and Quarter-Star Ratings
Goodreads readers can now rate books in quarter-star steps from 0.25 to 5.0. Book pages still show five histogram bars, and averages may shift over time.
Industry Analysis
The Page Turns: How E-reader Hardware Evolution is Reshaping Digital Book Consumption
Colour screens, sharper resolution, and flexible displays are transforming e-reader hardware evolution into the biggest catalyst for digital book consumption since the Kindle.
book-awards
What to Know About ‘Carrie’ Before Watching the New TV Adaptation
The new adaptation of Stephen King's 'Carrie' highlights authorial approval's role in adaptations, as it can renew interest in indie authors' original works.
book-awards
Holding Lightning by Emily Lordi review – an intimate portrait of Whitney Houston
Emily Lordi's biography, Holding Lightning , offers an intimate portrait of Whitney Houston, blending her artistry and struggles. A must-read for indie authors seeking depth.
book-awards
THE CRICKET IN THE VIOLIN
In 'The Cricket in the Violin,' a cricket finds creative power in a forgotten violin, highlighting the importance of artistic integrity for indie authors.
industry
How Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster Are Competing With Amazon in 2026
Amazon has anchored the digital book economy for well over a decade, capturing the lion's share of print, e-book, and audiobook sales through Amazon KDP and Aud…
publishing-news
Marvel and WEBTOON Launch a New Comics App as Marvel Unlimited Winds Down
Marvel's new subscription app, built by WEBTOON Entertainment, launches November 16 with more than 35,000 comics. Marvel Unlimited sunsets December 7.
publishing-news
PEN America Counts 11,982 School Book Bans in 2025–26, a Record
PEN America recorded 11,982 school book bans in the 2025-2026 school year, its highest one-year count since it began tracking in 2021. Stephen King is again the most banned author.
industry
Literary Prizes 2026: Booker, Pulitzer, National Book Award — What Winning Means for Sales
Major literary awards have long been viewed as trophies for artistic achievement, but in the modern publishing ecosystem, they function as powerful commercial a…
publishing-news
IBC: Children's Books With Black Main Characters Fell 7.8% in 2025
Inclusive Books for Children says 47 books published in 2025, or 2.1%, had Black main characters, down 7.8% on the year before.
publishing-news
T. S. Eliot Prize Shortlists Ten Poetry Collections for 2026
The T. S. Eliot Prize named ten collections to its 2026 shortlist. Shortlisted poets receive £1,500, and the winner receives £25,000 on January 18, 2027.
industry
The Biggest Publishing Deals of 2026: Advances, Auctions, and What They Mean for Authors
The trade publishing landscape in 2026 is characterized by a stark polarization of capital.
publishing-news
Giller Prize Names Five Novels to Its 2026 Shortlist
The Giller Prize named five Canadian novels to its 2026 shortlist. The winner receives $100,000 at a November 16 ceremony in Toronto.
book-awards
Tom Gauld on some new faces in the deep dark wood – cartoon
Tom Gauld introduces new characters in his latest cartoon, offering a humorous critique of literary tropes and celebrating the power of illustration.
Book Advertising
How BookAds AI Uses Machine Learning to Lower Your Amazon Ads ACoS in 2026
Average Cost of Sales (ACoS) measures the percentage of revenue spent on advertising.
book-awards
LET US GO THEN, YOU AND I
Theo's introspective journey in 'Let Us Go Then, You and I' reveals how deep character exploration fosters emotional connections.
book-awards
ESCAPE THE TRAPS
This guidebook shows self-published authors how to cultivate emotional presence and leadership, fostering authentic connections with readers.
book-awards
Book Review: ‘The Rush,’ by Nathaniel Philbrick
Explore Nathaniel Philbrick's ‘The Rush,’ a masterclass in character-driven narratives that can inspire indie authors writing historical non-fiction.
weekend-read
Weekend Read — Your Top Publishing Stories This Week (October 4, 2026)
Catch up on the best indie publishing news, tech trends, and award-winning books for the week ending October 4, 2026, with The Publishing Times. Weekend Read — Your Top Publishing Stories This Week (
industry
Bigme F13 photo frame is AI Sloop
Bigme's new F13 e-paper photo frame showcases color display tech and AI tools, but its utility for indie authors is still emerging.
book-awards
CHARLIE & GIGI LIVE IN JAPAN
Discover how 'Charlie & Gigi Live in Japan' entertains while educating young readers on Japanese culture, inspiring indie authors to enrich their storytelling.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — October 3, 2026
Get the essential self-publishing news, industry trends, and expert analysis for the week of October 3, 2026, with The Publishing Times weekly digest.
publishing-news
Aethon Books Acquires the Wargate Books Catalog in a Full Rights Sale
Aethon Books announced a full rights sale of the Wargate Books catalog, including Galaxy's Edge hardcovers planned for its Vault line in 2027.
book-awards
Book Review: ‘The Eye of Goliath,’ by Diego Muzzio
Diego Muzzio's 'The Eye of Goliath' offers rich insights for indie authors, exploring madness and character-driven narratives in a post-war setting.
book-awards
‘I thought, if I’m going to die, I’m going to write a book first’: Pachinko author Min Jin Lee
Min Jin Lee's journey from lawyer to bestselling author highlights the importance of pursuing one's passion despite uncertainties, inspiring indie authors everywhere.
industry
Will you buy any of the new Kindle 2026 e-readers?
Amazon’s 2026 Kindle release reshapes the e-reader scene, offering AI-driven features that indie authors must leverage for reader engagement.
publishing-news
Deckle Now Lets Authors Try the Whole App Free and Keeps a Record of How Each Book Was Written
Deckle 1.7 lets authors try every feature free before buying, and its new Chronicle logs when and how a book was written. Here's what changed.
Industry Analysis
The Hardcover Revolution: How Amazon KDP's Workflow Expansion Changes Everything
Amazon's rollout of the bulk print-ready hardcover workflow on KDP forces legacy publishers to finally reckon with indie agility.
publishing-news
Norton Will Launch Norton Waverly, Its First New Imprint Since Young Readers
W. W. Norton will launch Norton Waverly in spring 2027, led by Karen Lotz. Kate DiCamillo's middle-grade novel is the debut on a short list built for shared reading.
publishing-news
Third Circuit: Training AI on Westlaw Headnotes Was Not Fair Use
The Third Circuit affirmed that ROSS Intelligence's copying of 2,243 Westlaw headnotes to train a competing legal-search AI was not fair use.
industry
An Open Book with Mike Woodmansee
Mike Woodmansee's latest book invites readers to redefine wealth beyond mere financial success. Discover the true richness of life in his narrative.
author-organizations
Member Spotlight: Danielle Sullivan
Danielle Sullivan highlights the power of writing to connect people and shares strategies to overcome writer’s block, aiding self-published authors.
publishing-news
Tapas Stops Selling Ink and Will Close on March 31, 2027
Tapas says readers can no longer buy or earn Ink as of October 1. The platform, and access to episodes already unlocked, ends March 31, 2027 at 23:59 Pacific.
publishing-news
Storytel Opens a Swedish Store for Physical Books
Storytel opened an online store for physical books in Sweden on October 1, with an exclusive discount for subscribers. The store reaches the app later in October.
book-awards
Stories shortlisted for 4thWrite prize offer ‘a whole world in a few pages’
The shortlist for the 4thWrite Prize highlights six powerful stories, offering fresh perspectives from unpublished writers of colour.
Industry Analysis
The Bordered Screen: How E-Reader Localisation Rewrites Global Book Sales
Digital retail is fracturing along geopolitical lines. For publishers and authors, e-reader localisation is changing how international book sales happen.
Industry Analysis
The Colour E-Ink Revolution Demands Better Design
Colour e-ink is finally here, transforming how readers experience digital pages and forcing publishers to rethink everything about book cover design.
publishing-news
An AI Question Disappears From a Copyright Application. The Disclosure Rule Hasn't.
A small-press publisher says an AI question was missing from a U.S. Copyright Office application this week. The Office's 2023 rule requiring authors to disclose AI-generated material is still in force.
publishing-news
Amazon Introduces a Completely Redesigned Kindle Family
Amazon's redesigned Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft are thinner and lighter, with edge-to-edge color. The 6-inch Kindle starts at $149.99.
publishing-news
Audible Launches Character Guide, Interactive Story, and Visual Explorer
Audible is introducing Character Guide, Interactive Story, and Visual Explorer, built with creators and using AI. The limited beta is for U.S. and UK customers.
Book Advertising
How to Lower Your Amazon Ads ACoS: Advanced Optimization Strategies for Authors in 2026
To successfully lower your Advertising Cost of Sales (ACoS), you must first understand how it interacts with your net royalty margins.
publishing-news
What the Guardian's Extract of Ditto Shows
The Guardian printed an extract of Cherise Saywell's Ditto under the award story: a phone booth, seven houses, a train to Sydney at 7:32 p.m., and a woman who will not use his nickname.
publishing-news
The Originators Form: What the FAQ Will Not Accept
The Originators FAQ bars agents, a traditionally published poetry collection, and a novel aimed at children. One entry, no fee. The portal clock shows GMT.
Platform Comparisons
Amazon Ads vs BookBub Ads: Which Delivers Better ROI for Indie Authors in 2026?
Navigating the landscape of self-publishing requires a firm grasp of digital marketing tools. When evaluating [The Publishing Times](https://thepublishingtimes.
book-awards
The Best New Thriller Novels
The latest thriller novels reveal key trends that indie authors should consider to captivate readers and enhance storytelling appeal.
book-awards
Zoe Kazan's 'East of Eden' centers Steinbeck's dynamic Cathy with an impressive Florence Pugh
Netflix's adaptation of East of Eden highlights the power of redefining classic narratives. Kazan's portrayal of Cathy Ames invites deeper engagement.
book-awards
Dodge City by Patrick deWitt review – a wild draft-dodging road trip
Patrick deWitt's Dodge City redefines the road novel by blending character-driven narratives with cultural context, offering valuable lessons for indie authors.
book-marketing
Facebook's Two-Link Cap Is Spreading. Author Marketers Say the Free Book Link Was Never Working Anyway
Meta's cap of two link posts a month is still reaching Facebook Pages unevenly. Author Update's hosts say the free book link was already reaching almost no one.
publishing-news
Cherise Saywell Wins the BBC National Short Story Award
Edinburgh-based writer Cherise Saywell won the 2026 BBC National Short Story Award for "Ditto." The prize is 15,000 pounds. Shortlisted writers receive 600 pounds each.
publishing-news
Women's Prize and CHANEL Open Originators for U.S. Writers
The Women's Prize Trust opened Originators, a mentorship presented by CHANEL for emerging unpublished women fiction writers in the United States. Submissions close November 30, 2026.
Industry Analysis
The Corporate Consolidation Trap: Why Legacy Publishing Leadership Reshuffles Spell Doom for Risk
As boardroom chairs spin and legacy houses double down on safe bets, corporate consolidation is creating a massive vacuum that nimble indies are primed to fill.
publishing-news
ASA Calls on Australia to Address AI Theft of Authors' Work
The Australian Society of Authors asked two parliamentary inquiries to make AI companies license copyright work in Australia, or let rightsholders sue here no matter where a model was trained.
publishing-news
Scholastic to Acquire Cottage Door Press for About $71 Million
Scholastic signed a definitive agreement to buy Cottage Door Press for about $71 million. Luna StoryTime toys are spun off, and closing is expected by the end of 2026.
publishing-news
The Smashwords Store Now Accepts Ebook Preorders
Draft2Digital says the Smashwords store now takes customer ebook preorders for the first time, up to 12 months ahead, with cards charged only on release.
publishing-news
Utah Orders Seven More Books Out of Every Public School, Bringing the Statewide List to 44
The Utah State Board of Education told every school district on September 28 that seven more titles, including books by Sarah J. Maas, Ellen Hopkins and V.E. Schwab, must come off shelves statewide.
book-awards
Book Review: ‘Artificial Intimacy,’ by Sherry Turkle
Sherry Turkle's 'Artificial Intimacy' critiques our reliance on AI for emotional comfort, urging indie authors to explore technology's impact on human connections.
Industry Analysis
The Glass Palace Shuffles Its Deck: Why Legacy Publishing's Corporate Reorganizations Miss the Mark
As legacy houses shuffle senior leadership to chase international growth, true global expansion requires breaking free from outdated boardrooms.
industry
David Shelley Promoted as Hachette Reshuffles Senior Leadership, Expands International Efforts
Hachette’s leadership reshuffle, including David Shelley’s promotion, hints at new opportunities for indie authors in the global market.
industry
Honor S3 is a Tiny e-reader to compete against Xteink
The Honor Life S3 is a new ultra-compact e-reader catering to reader's desire for portability. What does this mean for indie authors?
publishing-news
Hachette Book Group Names Ben Sevier CEO
Effective January 1, 2027, Ben Sevier becomes CEO of Hachette Book Group, and Richard Kitson becomes president and chief operating officer for global English.
publishing-news
Anthropic Settlement Extends the Allocation Window to 60 Days
The settlement administrator extended the co-claimant allocation window from 30 to 60 days and expects the first payments on or before November 15, 2026.
book-marketing
BooksGoSocial and Dale L. Roberts Open a Holiday Book Makeover Challenge
One author will get a free marketing overhaul and a managed campaign, documented as a public case study. Applications close October 1.
kdp-strategy
KDP Account Terminated? What the Terms Say, and How One Author Got His Back
Hidden Gems Books' Roland Hulme lost his KDP account over republished short stories and got it back after a formal notice of intent to arbitrate. Here is his path, and what KDP's own terms say.
kdp-strategy
KDP's Two-Title Weekly Cap: The Exception Line Is Gone From Help
KDP's help pages now read two titles per format each week, and the sentence inviting high-volume publishers to ask for an exception is no longer there.
publishing-news
ASA Publishes a Model Literary Agent Agreement With AI Clauses
The Australian Society of Authors published a model literary agent agreement that, for the first time, includes generative-AI clauses and a sample schedule of permitted uses.
obituaries
Peter May, Author of the Lewis Trilogy, Dies at 74
Peter May, whose Lewis Trilogy began with The Blackhouse and whose books sold about 15 million copies, died on September 25 in the south of France. He was 74. A final novel is due in January.
publishing-news
BISG and BookNet Canada Release Their 2026 AI-Use Report
The second annual BISG and BookNet Canada survey of 771 publishing professionals finds organizational AI use at 63%, up from 48%, while individual use fell to 38%.
book-awards
BABE: ELABORATIO
Harry Connick Jr. introduces the concept of 'elaboratio'—a state of creativity bridging reality and dreams. Discover its implications for indie authors.
Industry Analysis
The Battle for Indie Print Dominance: PublishingXpress Versus BookBaby in 2026
As self-publishing matures, the battle for indie print dominance reaches a fever pitch. We look at how PublishingXpress and BookBaby stack up in 2026.
book-awards
SOCKS & SECRET QUESTS
Triona Murphy's *Socks & Secret Quests* turns the traditional hero's journey upside down with its magical realism and community-driven narrative.
book-awards
Stations by Louise Kennedy review – a superb follow-up to Trespasses
Louise Kennedy's second novel, 'Stations,' showcases her literary evolution, emphasizing the importance of honing craft through short fiction for indie authors.
industry
Acquisition Announcement: REVENGE PIECE by Eman Quotah
Eman Quotah's upcoming novel blends found footage and performance art, showcasing a fresh narrative style indie authors should explore.
industry
How to Create an Author Brand Style Guide in 5 Easy Steps
Discover how to create an author brand style guide that ensures consistency and builds reader connections across all platforms.
publishing-news
Authors Guild Asks Publishers to Share More of the Anthropic Settlement
The Authors Guild wants publishers to drop claims on long out-of-print books and to pay authors when a house failed to register the copyright in time.
publishing-news
Russian Publisher Individuum Closes After LGBTQ+ Extremism Cases
Individuum's editor-in-chief said the house, founded in 2015, will cease to exist. Books already in progress will be released by other publishers.
publishing-news
Little, Brown Names Michael Goldsmith to Lead Publicity
Hachette has hired Michael Goldsmith as Little, Brown's vice president and executive director of publicity, a new role, effective October 13.
book-awards
Tomi Adeyemi on the film of her hit novel Children of Blood and Bone: ‘I don’t plan to watch it’
Tomi Adeyemi reflects on her challenging journey adapting her hit novel for Hollywood. Her experience highlights the importance of maintaining creative control.
book-awards
Does avoiding misery make you happy?
A new article examines how avoiding discomfort hampers growth for indie authors. Embrace challenges for a fulfilling writing career.
book-awards
Tom Gauld on the author simulator – cartoon
Tom Gauld's 'author simulator' cartoon critiques modern writing pressures, urging indie authors to embrace authenticity over formulaic trends.
letters-from-the-desk
Is It Too Late to Start Writing at 55?
Writers ask this one all the time, usually with an apology attached. The answer is no, and the proof has names.
weekend-read
Weekend Read — Your Top Publishing Stories This Week (September 27, 2026)
Discover this week's top indie publishing insights, from masterclass character retellings to lessons in vulnerability from Sylvester Stallone.
book-awards
Book Review: ‘Dodge City,’ by Patrick deWitt
Patrick deWitt's 'Dodge City' explores a young man's road trip to escape the Vietnam War. Here’s what indie authors can learn from this character-driven narrative.
book-awards
Book Review: ‘Mestra,’ by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller's 'Mestra' reimagines an ancient myth, showcasing the power of retelling while highlighting character-driven narratives. A must-read for indie authors.