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The article "Making Space at the Table" from Publishers Weekly discusses conversations about diversity in the publishing industry, focusing on the experiences of publishing professionals of color. It features insights from agents and editors like Tanya McKinnon, Anjali Singh, Quressa Robinson, Regina Brooks, Deborah Ghim, Nicole Counts, Stacey Barney, Ibrahim Ahmad, Sally Kim, and the organization We Need Diverse Books. These professionals share their experiences, challenges, and efforts to advocate for diverse narratives and authors in the industry. The article also highlights the work of independent children's publishers Lil’ Libros, Bitty Bao, and Gloo Books in promoting bilingual and culturally attuned early readers. [Extracted from the article]

British Columbia's publishing community is diverse, robust, and innovative. Publishers in the province are seeking to expand their markets across Canada, the U.S., and internationally. They are focusing on growth, brand identities, and accessible formats. Publishers are aiming to cast a wider net and are exploring various genres and themes, including regional flavors, LGBTQ+ and racialized authors, Indigenous languages and content, and accessible publications. The government is providing support through funding to help B.C. publishers increase revenue and navigate logistical challenges. Overall, B.C. publishers are receiving positive recognition and accolades for their quality books in North America. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides highlights of upcoming fall regional book trade shows in the United States. The New Voices New Rooms show in Arlington, Virginia featured bookmobile demonstrations, author appearances, and tours of bookstores and the Library of Congress. The New England Independent Booksellers Association Fall Conference in Newton, Massachusetts will include keynote speeches, panels, and author breakfasts. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance Fall Fest in Pasadena, California will offer education sessions, author panels, and networking opportunities. The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Tradeshow in Portland, Oregon will feature education events, author signings, and a variety of programming. The Mountain and Plains Independent Booksellers Association FallCon in Denver, Colorado will include mixers, keynote speeches, and author lunches. The Heartland Fall Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will have receptions, awards ceremonies, and author events. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Publishers Weekly features interviews with indie bookstore owners and staff who share their predictions for popular fall titles in fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. Some notable fiction picks include Louise Erdrich's The Mighty Red, Elif Shafak's There Are Rivers in the Sky, and Caroline Woods's The Mesmerist. In nonfiction, booksellers anticipate titles like Bob Woodward's War and Alexei Navalny's Patriot: A Memoir. For children's books, board books from Tiger Tales and picture books by Rosemary Wells and William Joyce are expected to be popular. Overall, the article provides a diverse range of recommendations for readers of all interests. [Extracted from the article]

The fall regional bookselling association trade show season has begun, with various booksellers and publishers' representatives attending trade shows across the country. These trade shows are expected to be larger and busier than ever, with new bookstores opening nationwide and regional bookseller organizations accommodating first-time members. The trade shows will not only provide opportunities for networking and meeting authors but also focus on professional education to navigate the rapidly changing industry. Each regional gathering will feature educational panels, author panels, and programming specific to their region. [Extracted from the article]

This article highlights the achievements and contributions of four sales representatives in the publishing industry who have been nominated for the Sales Rep of the Year award. Patricia Doherty, a national accounts manager at Macmillan, is credited with playing a significant role in the success of Entangled Publishing. Julie Isgrigg, a sales representative at Hachette, is praised for her dedication and support to her accounts. Andrea Tetrick, who works with Ingram Publisher Services, is commended for her strong relationships with independent publishers and booksellers. Sherry Virtz, a district sales manager at Penguin Random House, is recognized for her exceptional support and personal commitment to her accounts. [Extracted from the article]

A new generation of booksellers is prioritizing inclusivity and community-building in their businesses. Many of these young booksellers are stocking their shelves with books from BIPOC, LGBTQ, and global perspectives, seeking out local and underrepresented authors, and creating spaces for historically marginalized customers. They view bookselling as a means of social change and collaboration, rather than competition. These booksellers are opening up shop in unexpected places and are working to make the industry more inclusive and accessible to underrepresented communities. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights four finalists for the Bookstore of the Year award. Antigone Books in Tucson, Arizona, is a feminist landmark that focuses on social justice and regional authors. Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery in San Francisco specializes in radical literature, poetry, and Spanish-language titles, and hosts community events and art exhibitions. Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a beloved community gathering space that specializes in children's books and supports local schools. Writer's Block Bookstore in Winter Park, Florida, has become a literary hub in the Greater Orlando area, hosting over 200 author events annually and providing books to underfunded schools. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the positive outlook of independent booksellers during the Thanksgiving weekend, with a confident mood prevailing and steady sales reported across various stores. Topics discussed include the rebranding of shopping days, must-have fiction titles, nonfiction standouts, and successful strategies employed by bookstores to attract customers, such as handselling and special events.

This article from Publishers Weekly celebrates the 10th anniversary of Star Watch, a program that recognizes rising stars in the book industry. The article features interviews with past Star Watch superstars who reflect on their careers and offer advice for newcomers in the industry. The superstars come from various roles in publishing, including editors, publishers, authors, and bookstore owners. They emphasize the importance of networking, innovation, aligning values with publishing work, and staying connected to the larger publishing community. The article highlights the diverse perspectives and contributions of these professionals and the positive impact of the Star Watch program in promoting visibility and recognition for early and mid-career professionals in the industry. [Extracted from the article]

Orca Book Publishers, founded in 1984, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The company focuses on diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in children's literature, publishing books in multiple languages, including Indigenous languages. Orca publishes a wide range of children's books and has expanded into audio formats. The company has grown over the years and now has a team of 50 staff members. They are committed to delivering accessible content and have a strong focus on Indigenous titles. Orca also emphasizes nonfiction books with a social justice and environmental protection lens. [Extracted from the article]

ECW Press, an independent publisher based in Toronto, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Originally a scholarly journal, ECW has grown into a publishing house that releases 40-50 commercial and literary titles each year. In 2020, ECW expanded its list by acquiring majority ownership of children's publisher Annick Press. The press aims to be diverse and open to various genres, and its editorial team takes on passion projects that other publishers may pass on. ECW also produces audiobooks, including titles by Canadian authors, and has collaborated with organizations to create accessible versions of graphic narratives. [Extracted from the article]

The ALA Annual Conference in San Diego focused on advocacy and the freedom to read, providing a sense of optimism for the library community. Attendance for the conference was around 13,500, surpassing the association's goals. Outgoing ALA president Emily Drabinksi spoke about the challenges faced by right-wing politicians targeting libraries, while comedian Trevor Noah emphasized the power of books and libraries. The conference featured over 175 sessions on various topics, with a focus on defending the freedom to read. Leila Green Little shared her experience fighting against censorship in Texas and the personal impact it had on her. [Extracted from the article]

The American Booksellers Association hosted the Children's Institute 2024 in New Orleans, which focused on advocacy and literacy. The event had a record number of attendees, with nearly 400 booksellers registered, and themes of activism, economic accessibility, and pleasure reading were discussed. However, the children's book segment is facing challenges, with a decline in sales and a trend of tweens and teens losing interest in reading. The need to support young readers was emphasized by National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Meg Medina. The event also highlighted the importance of diversity in publishing and the power of books to represent marginalized voices. [Extracted from the article]

Andrew Larsen's picture book, "Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don't) Throw Away," tells the story of Nelson Molina, a lifelong resident of East Harlem and curator of "Treasures in the Trash." Molina spent 34 years working for the New York City Department of Sanitation, rescuing and cleaning 45,000 discarded items, which are now on display at the Manhattan 11 garage. Larsen was inspired to write the book after hearing about Molina on social media and realizing that no one had written a children's book about him. The book explores the anthropological significance of garbage and Molina's artistic approach to collecting. Larsen chose to publish with Sourcebooks, an American publisher, because of their understanding of commercial appeal and their ability to get stories into the hands of children. The book includes a foreword written by Molina himself. [Extracted from the article]

Ruth Chan, author-illustrator of Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back, discusses her graphic narrative debut in an interview with Publishers Weekly. The memoir recounts her family's move from Toronto to Hong Kong in 1993, highlighting her experience as a 13-year-old navigating a new culture and language. Chan explains the challenges and advantages of working in the graphic novel format compared to picture books, and discusses the decision to write a memoir and the importance of sharing stories of culture shock in reverse. She also touches on the inclusion of multiple languages in the book and the support she received from her extended family. Chan reveals that she is currently working on a second graphic novel set in Hong Kong and a picture book sequel. [Extracted from the article]

The 11th annual Independent Bookstore Day, held on April 27, showcased the creativity and community found in indie bookstores across the country. Booksellers organized crawls, offered discounts, and hosted authors and activities for children. The event drew significant customer traffic and sales, with some booksellers comparing it to Small Business Saturday. The photos included in the article capture the bustling atmosphere and enthusiasm of book lovers participating in the event. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Reimagining Bookstores, a network of booksellers established by Praveen Madan of Kepler's Books in Menlo Park, California, which helps booksellers rethink frameworks for maximizing profits and instead emphasizing bookstores social value. It mentions that the Emerson Collective developed a program to grow a portfolio of bookstores we support directly through playbooks and resources.

Taylor Norman, the executive editor at Neal Porter Books, has been recognized as Publishers Weekly's 2024 Star Watch superstar. With 11 years of experience at Chronicle Books, Norman has worked on a variety of children's books, including picture books, middle grade, YA, and board books. She has collaborated with authors and illustrators such as Carter Higgins, Emily Hughes, Nina LaCour, Shawn Harris, and Dave Eggers. Norman values high-quality writing and a respect for child readers, and she emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships in the small and creative children's publishing industry. [Extracted from the article]

Brian Hurley, the publishing director at Sasquatch Books, approaches the book industry with a holistic perspective, recognizing the contradictions between art and commerce, people and systems. He values the strong relationships with local bookstores and is focused on expanding Sasquatch's Pacific Northwest vibe nationally. Hurley gained experience at Oxford University Press and Callisto Media, where he learned valuable lessons about matching supply to demand and ignoring traditional publishing practices. Frances Baca, the president of Sasquatch, praises Hurley for his empathy and data-informed approach to title acquisition and development. [Extracted from the article]