Here are the latest The BookLife Report newsletters for my followers to peruse:
The Report: April 6, 2026
In this edition of The Report, an author reflects on publishing the third title in a series, an article addresses the threats of AI, BookCon returns, and much more.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
BookCon Is BackFollowing a six-year hiatus, BookCon will return to its former home, New York City’s Javits Center, April 18–19. MORE
Behind the Story: Raven BelascoRaven Belasco chats about her latest novel, creating an audiobook, and evolving as an author. MORE
The Things AI Could Never DoAuthor Shifa Saltagi Safadi reflects on how AI diminishes the creative process. MORE
BookLife Prize Fiction Contest Is Open!Get your manuscripts ready: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade. Every entry receives a publishable critique from a PW reviewer. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our April Indie Spotlight will feature humor and satire. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Humor." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
- Write for BookLife!: We're currently looking for pitches from the BookLife community concerning craft, self-publishing, marketing, and other editorial topics. With the subject line "BookLife Pitch," please write to booklife@booklife.com with your article idea and a brief bio.
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Holiday Spirit' by John DeGuire: The classic monsters fight for justice over bigotry in DeGuire’s macabre yet humorous gothic fantasy set in the not-so-quiet hamlet of Killington, Vermont, known for its paranormal activity.
- 'Scream Like a Prayer' by S.H. Mansouri: Mansouri’s gripping debut novel plunges readers into the evil plaguing Sammy McCammon, a young boy with a dark destiny.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: mburnett@publishersweekly.com
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
Indie Spotlight
In this roundup of BookLife titles, we feature food and drink, travel, and world cultures. MORE
Chicken Soup for the Soul Sues AI Firms for Copyright Infringement
Tech companies OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, xAI, Perplexity, Apple, and Nvidia are the focus of the copyright infringement lawsuit. MORE
Behind the Story: Alexandra Edminston
Edminston opens up about the inspirations that led her to write The Immortal's Secret. MORE
Jewell Parker Rhodes, LBYR Partner on Emerging Writer Fellowship
Prospective writers of middle grade fiction whose unpublished work centers on historically underserved communities have a new opportunity to advance their writing. MORE
BookLife Prize Fiction Contest Opens April 1
Get your manuscripts ready: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade. Every entry receives a publishable critique from a PW reviewer. MORE
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.
BookLife
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500
Copyright 2026, BookLife LLC
The Report: March 30, 2026
In this edition of The Report, we feature books on food, drink, travel, and world cultures; an author shares how a painting in the Louvre informed her novel; and more. Happy reading!
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Indie SpotlightIn this roundup of BookLife titles, we feature food and drink, travel, and world cultures. MORE
Chicken Soup for the Soul Sues AI Firms for Copyright InfringementTech companies OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, xAI, Perplexity, Apple, and Nvidia are the focus of the copyright infringement lawsuit. MORE
Behind the Story: Alexandra EdminstonEdminston opens up about the inspirations that led her to write The Immortal's Secret. MORE
Jewell Parker Rhodes, LBYR Partner on Emerging Writer FellowshipProspective writers of middle grade fiction whose unpublished work centers on historically underserved communities have a new opportunity to advance their writing. MORE
BookLife Prize Fiction Contest Opens April 1Get your manuscripts ready: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade. Every entry receives a publishable critique from a PW reviewer. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our April Indie Spotlight will feature humor and satire. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Humor." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
- Write for BookLife!: We're currently looking for pitches from the BookLife community concerning craft, self-publishing, marketing, and other editorial topics. With the subject line "BookLife Pitch," please write to booklife@booklife.com with your article idea and a brief bio.
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'The Secret of Spirit Lake' by Jane Haltmaier: The scariest elements of Haltmaier’s supernatural mystery come from the living, not the dead, as her warmhearted YA debut focuses on providing lost souls with reconciliation and peace.
- 'The Last Templeton' by Mike Morey: Touching ode to family love, by a riveting—and singular—narrator.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
The Report: March 23, 2026
Selecting the semifinalists for the BookLife Prize Contest is a challenge. Would it surprise you to know that it keeps me up at night? So many of the books submitted to the prize are remarkable. Beautiful books. The books that don't fit tidily into one particular genre. Books that display the full range of human emotions. In this issue of The Report, we present the 20 titles that have moved along to the BookLife Prize semifinals. Bookstores, librarians, readers...get your copies! – Matia Query
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Announcing the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Semifinalists!Twenty titles have advanced to the semifinal round of the prize. Stay tuned for our announcement of the finalists. MORE
Behind the Story: Betsy VereckeyAn author discusses her memoir about navigating divorce, finding renewed purpose, and the most faithful of companions. MORE
Sign up for Advance Access!Find out how you can get free galley copies of books by indie authors. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our April Indie Spotlight will feature humor and satire. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Humor." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Will the Devil Help Me Now?' by Caytlyn Brooke: Brooke’s historical drama of rumor, accusations, and lies slithers with a creeping dread that reveals humanity’s hypocrisy and injustice.
- Hop Fight : The Authoritative Guide to the Drunken Sport Even a Child Can Play by S. Pluck and P. MacCruiskeen: You likely have never heard of "hop fight," the one-legged sport whose history, lore, and significance is explored, disputed, and celebrated in editor F.T. Marquardt's hilarious new guidebook.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: mburnett@publishersweekly.com
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
Congrats to Our Quarterfinalists!
Forty-two titles have been named quarterfinalists in the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. Check out these top scoring titles! MORE
Beyond the Blurb
An author and book reviewer discusses the qualities that draw the attention of critics. MORE
Indie Publisher Standouts
PW reports on a growing number of indie presses that are finding new ways to innovate. MORE
Behind the Story: Drew Banks
In our latest Behind the Story feature, a free platform for authors to share more about their books, author Drew Banks reflects on writing the Elba trilogy. MORE
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.
BookLife
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500
Copyright 2026, BookLife LLC
The Report: March 16, 2026
It never ceases to move and surprise me... that moment when a particular book meets you exactly where you are, as if answering a question you didn't know you were asking. No AI can replace this essential human connection formed between writer and reader. In this issue, we honor 42 of the BookLife Prize Nonfiction titles that wowed us. Stay tuned for the announcement of the semifinalists!
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Congrats to Our Quarterfinalists!Forty-two titles have been named quarterfinalists in the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. Check out these top scoring titles! MORE
Beyond the BlurbAn author and book reviewer discusses the qualities that draw the attention of critics. MORE
Indie Publisher StandoutsPW reports on a growing number of indie presses that are finding new ways to innovate. MORE
Behind the Story: Drew BanksIn our latest Behind the Story feature, a free platform for authors to share more about their books, author Drew Banks reflects on writing the Elba trilogy. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our March Indie Spotlight will feature books on travel, food, and world cultures. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Travel, Food, and World Cultures." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Great White: An Eamon Gold Novel' by Richard Helms: This classic procedural blends steady, methodical detective work with Gold’s wry observations, and his first-person narration reveals a quiet confidence.
- 'Wrought in Flesh' by Corinne Price: Powered by tactile magic and surges of dark feeling, Price’s charged debut, the first in the Vollmagus and the Etched series, opens in a world where magic is both currency and scar.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: mburnett@publishersweekly.com
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
Writing with the Elephant in the Room
Author Sassafras Patterdale reflects on the power of creativity during times of social and political tumult. MORE
Behind the Story: Kathleen McDonnell
The author of 'Brideen' shared a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired her work of historical fiction. MORE
How Book Bans Led to the Postponement of the Diversity Baseline Survey
Lee & Low’s Diversity Baseline Survey datasets have become the industry standard for inclusive hiring practices and accountability. DBS 4.0 will be postponed until further notice. MORE
Behind the Story: Gail Vida Hamburg
An indie author discusses writing–and revising–her novel in response to current events. MORE
The BookLife Prize Reports Are Live!
Have a look at some of the highest scoring titles submitted to the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. MORE
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.
BookLife
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500
Copyright 2026, BookLife LLC
The Report: March 2, 2026
When the world feels overwhelming, how do we find the internal strength to continue creating? In this issue of The Report, we discuss the challenges of writing in moments of uncertainty, revising in response to social and political upheaval, mining the past for inspiration, and much more.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Writing with the Elephant in the RoomAuthor Sassafras Patterdale reflects on the power of creativity during times of social and political tumult. MORE
Behind the Story: Kathleen McDonnellThe author of 'Brideen' shared a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired her work of historical fiction. MORE
How Book Bans Led to the Postponement of the Diversity Baseline SurveyLee & Low’s Diversity Baseline Survey datasets have become the industry standard for inclusive hiring practices and accountability. DBS 4.0 will be postponed until further notice. MORE
Behind the Story: Gail Vida HamburgAn indie author discusses writing–and revising–her novel in response to current events. MORE
The BookLife Prize Reports Are Live!Have a look at some of the highest scoring titles submitted to the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our March Indie Spotlight will feature books on travel, food, and world cultures. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Travel, Food, and World Cultures." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Brown Beyond Borders: Emerging Into Golden Multidimensionality' by C.T. Luna: Navigating the tension between personal storytelling and social commentary, Luna’s candid memoir of growing up as a biracial immigrant also serves as a self-help guide for embracing Golden multidimensionality—”the spiritual and limitless potential” residing within everyone—as positive self-affirmation.
- 'Reimagining Fairness: An Equity, Cultural Diversity, and Inclusion Competency Approach' by Billy E. Vaughn: Vaughn’s debut, an illuminating and up-to-date guide to “what is needed to achieve DEI goals in today’s polarized environment,” draws from his experience as a corporate consultant to present practical strategies for implementing and improving diversity programs within organizations.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
The Report: March 9, 2026
In this issue of the Report, two authors share their book origin stories; the comics world shakes things up; and much more.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Behind the Story: Alex KhayutinA writer reflects on crafting a book about his family's history. MORE
Publishers Charge Anna’s Archive with Copyright InfringementA group of publishers including the Big Five is taking legal action to prevent the pirate website Anna’s Archive from illegally copying and selling their copyrighted material. MORE
Indie Author Erika Randall on Using a Professional Review to Build CredibilityCheck out our latest in a series of testimonials from BookLife authors. MORE
Behind the Story: Melanie HillA veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force writes a middle grade novel. MORE
First Lines from BookLife Authors: March 2026First lines are the entry point into your book! Check out our latest roundup of great openers. MORE
Comics Retailers Get CreativeEvery Sunday at Bat City Comic Professionals, Shannon Live grabs a stack of new direct market releases, opens a bottle of wine, and starts livestreaming on YouTube, spending the next 90 minutes talking comics and cabernet. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our March Indie Spotlight will feature books on travel, food, and world cultures. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Travel, Food, and World Cultures." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Prison of Now' by Jon F. Harmon: Harmon delivers an ultimately hopeful meditation on middle age, family obligation, and the emotional claustrophobia that comes from trying to hold everyone together.
- 'Lessons in Coming and Going or Neti-Neti' by Rusty Glicksman: Though Glicksman travels the world in this reflective memoir (published posthumously), it is to India that he returns time and again.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: mburnett@publishersweekly.com
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
Behind the Story: Alex Khayutin
A writer reflects on crafting a book about his family's history. MORE
Publishers Charge Anna’s Archive with Copyright Infringement
A group of publishers including the Big Five is taking legal action to prevent the pirate website Anna’s Archive from illegally copying and selling their copyrighted material. MORE
Indie Author Erika Randall on Using a Professional Review to Build Credibility
Check out our latest in a series of testimonials from BookLife authors. MORE
Behind the Story: Melanie Hill
A veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force writes a middle grade novel. MORE
First Lines from BookLife Authors: March 2026
First lines are the entry point into your book! Check out our latest roundup of great openers. MORE
Comics Retailers Get Creative
Every Sunday at Bat City Comic Professionals, Shannon Live grabs a stack of new direct market releases, opens a bottle of wine, and starts livestreaming on YouTube, spending the next 90 minutes talking comics and cabernet. MORE
Writing with the Elephant in the Room
Author Sassafras Patterdale reflects on the power of creativity during tumultuous times. MORE
Behind the Story: Kathleen McDonnell
The author of 'Brideen' shared a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired her work of historical fiction. MORE
How Book Bans Led to the Postponement of the Diversity Baseline Survey
Lee & Low’s Diversity Baseline Survey datasets have become the industry standard for inclusive hiring practices and accountability. DBS 4.0 will be postponed until further notice. MORE
Behind the Story: Gail Vida Hamburg
An indie author discusses writing–and revising–her novel in response to current events. MORE
The BookLife Prize Reports Are Live!
Have a look at some of the highest scoring titles submitted to the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. MORE
Send advertising questions about this newsletter to: jmurray@publishersweekly.com
For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below.
BookLife
49 West 23rd Street
Ninth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone 212-377-5500
Copyright 2026, BookLife LLC
The Report: March 9, 2026
In this issue of the Report, two authors share their book origin stories; the comics world shakes things up; and much more.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Behind the Story: Alex KhayutinA writer reflects on crafting a book about his family's history. MORE
A group of publishers including the Big Five is taking legal action to prevent the pirate website Anna’s Archive from illegally copying and selling their copyrighted material. MORE
Indie Author Erika Randall on Using a Professional Review to Build CredibilityCheck out our latest in a series of testimonials from BookLife authors. MORE
Behind the Story: Melanie HillA veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force writes a middle grade novel. MORE
First Lines from BookLife Authors: March 2026First lines are the entry point into your book! Check out our latest roundup of great openers. MORE
Comics Retailers Get CreativeEvery Sunday at Bat City Comic Professionals, Shannon Live grabs a stack of new direct market releases, opens a bottle of wine, and starts livestreaming on YouTube, spending the next 90 minutes talking comics and cabernet. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our March Indie Spotlight will feature books on travel, food, and world cultures. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Travel, Food, and World Cultures." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Prison of Now' by Jon F. Harmon: Harmon delivers an ultimately hopeful meditation on middle age, family obligation, and the emotional claustrophobia that comes from trying to hold everyone together.
- 'Lessons in Coming and Going or Neti-Neti' by Rusty Glicksman: Though Glicksman travels the world in this reflective memoir (published posthumously), it is to India that he returns time and again.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
The Report: March 2, 2026
When the world feels overwhelming, how do we find the internal strength to continue creating? In this issue of The Report, we discuss the challenges of writing in moments of uncertainty, revising in response to social and political upheaval, mining the past for inspiration, and much more.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Writing with the Elephant in the RoomAuthor Sassafras Patterdale reflects on the power of creativity during tumultuous times. MORE
Behind the Story: Kathleen McDonnellThe author of 'Brideen' shared a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired her work of historical fiction. MORE
How Book Bans Led to the Postponement of the Diversity Baseline SurveyLee & Low’s Diversity Baseline Survey datasets have become the industry standard for inclusive hiring practices and accountability. DBS 4.0 will be postponed until further notice. MORE
Behind the Story: Gail Vida HamburgAn indie author discusses writing–and revising–her novel in response to current events. MORE
The BookLife Prize Reports Are Live!Have a look at some of the highest scoring titles submitted to the BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest. MORE
BOOKLIFE OPPORTUNITIES
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our March Indie Spotlight will feature books on travel, food, and world cultures. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Travel, Food, and World Cultures." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
FROM THE SHELVES: BOOKLIFE TITLES ON OUR RADAR
- 'Brown Beyond Borders: Emerging Into Golden Multidimensionality' by C.T. Luna: Navigating the tension between personal storytelling and social commentary, Luna’s candid memoir of growing up as a biracial immigrant also serves as a self-help guide for embracing Golden multidimensionality—”the spiritual and limitless potential” residing within everyone—as positive self-affirmation.
- 'Reimagining Fairness: An Equity, Cultural Diversity, and Inclusion Competency Approach' by Billy E. Vaughn: Vaughn’s debut, an illuminating and up-to-date guide to “what is needed to achieve DEI goals in today’s polarized environment,” draws from his experience as a corporate consultant to present practical strategies for implementing and improving diversity programs within organizations.
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
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