Submit a Story to the Protopian Prize and Get Published in an MIT Press Anthology
The Protopian Prize, a new fiction contest launched by Ruthanna Emrys and a MIT Press editor, seeks stories that envision democratic governance and human‑centric AI. Submissions opened on May 1 and close on July 31, with the two winners each receiving $5,000 and a spot in an MIT Press anthology alongside established science‑fiction authors. The contest builds on Kevin Kelly’s "protopia" idea—incremental improvement over dystopia—to counteract the prevailing bleak narratives around AI and democracy. MIT Press’s involvement signals growing publisher interest in optimistic speculative futures.
Short Fiction for Summer Reading, Experiments with Claude, Tote Bags to Get Excited About
The Tournament of Books is launching a summer pop‑up focused on short fiction, with a community‑curated reading list that runs from mid‑June to late August. Six stories—from Lauren Groff’s “Brawler” to Sigrid Nunez’s “I’ll Come Back to You”—will be discussed in weekly...
Those “100 Best Novels of All Time”
The Guardian has released its "100 Best Novels of All Time" list, topping it with George Eliot’s *Middlemarch* and placing Toni Morrison’s *Beloved* at No. 2. The compilation highlights multiple entries from authors such as Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen and Charles...
Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth
Veronica Roth’s *Seek the Traitor’s Son* launches the two‑book *Burning Empire* duology with a romantic dystopian fantasy set on the quarantined world of Cedre. Soldier Elegy Ahn Rosyk and Talusar general Rava Vidar are thrust into a prophecy that threatens Elegy’s...
What Should Be on a List of Almost Great Books?
A Twitter user proposes an “almost‑Great Books” syllabus that spotlights works that either lost out to dominant worldviews or represent secondary expressions of winning ideas. The list would also feature obscure titles by canonical authors and once‑popular intellectual books that...
June Book Club: The Road of Bones
The Romantasy Book Club announced its June pick, *The Road of Bones* by Demi Winters, a Viking‑inspired fantasy that follows Silla Nordvig’s perilous flight across the titular road. The club will read the novel together throughout the month, sharing reactions...
Book Freak #209: Science and Sanity
Book Freak #209 reviews *Science and Sanity*, a book that argues most human problems arise from treating our words and mental models as if they were reality itself. It outlines four core principles: the map‑is‑not‑the‑territory concept, the danger of “is”...
Book Marketing in 2026: The Author’s Guide to Strategy, Budgets, and Sustainable Growth
Mark Andrew Watson’s May 2026 guide reframes book marketing from one‑off ad bursts to a sustainable, data‑driven system. It highlights the decline of traditional BookBub‑style campaigns and promotes community‑centric channels that generate recurring sales. The piece breaks budgeting into two tiers—a...
A Venice Summer by Lynne Shelby
Lynne Shelby’s "A Venice Summer" blends a contemporary romance with a 16th‑century mystery set against the backdrop of Venice. Art conservator Rose Bennet travels to the city after a personal crisis and meets brooding gallery owner Luca Casserini, sparking a...
Patrick Cottrell’s Book Notes Music Playlist for His Novel Afternoon Hours of a Hermit
Patrick Cottrell contributed to Largehearted Boy’s Book Notes series by sharing a 1990s‑soft‑pop playlist that inspired his novel Afternoon Hours of a Hermit. The playlist, featuring tracks from Vanessa Williams, Heart, Bruce Hornsby and others, mirrors the book’s themes of memory, obsession...
What Persuasion Really Is
In a conversation with Josh, author of *How to Get What You Want*, the host explores a fresh definition of persuasion that prioritizes shared action over winning an argument. The book highlights Daryl Davis’s success in persuading over 200 KKK...
Cassandra Calin’s First Crush Is Strong Sequel to The New Girl
Cassandra Calin’s *First Crush* arrives as the highly‑anticipated sequel to her 2024 graphic novel *The New Girl*. The paperback, priced at $14.99, follows 12‑year‑old Lia as she navigates first love, friendship turbulence, and self‑image challenges while settling into life in...
Find the Sun Is Beautifully Illustrated Story of Discovering Courage
Andy Harkness’s new picture book Find the Sun, published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books on May 5, 2026, retells a boy’s journey from Monday‑day dread to courage. Priced at $18.99, the hardcover targets ages three to six and blends a gentle narrative with...
The Romantasy Court: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Romantasy Court blog dissects Rebecca Yarros’s *Fourth Wing* as a standalone first book, noting its explosive impact on the fantasy market and the iconic romance between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. While the novel feels like pure romantasy, the analysis...
Five Years, Nine Months, 259 Endnotes
The author of the popular "The New Fatherhood" newsletter has released his long‑awaited book, now on sale in the United States and available worldwide as an audiobook on Audible, Apple Books and Spotify. The manuscript took nine months to draft...
A Stage, a Shelter, and a Russian War Crime
James Verini’s new book *The Theater* chronicles the March 16, 2022 bombing of Mariupod’s Donetsk Regional Academic Drama Theater, where civilians had taken refuge. Amnesty International and the ICC have classified the strike as a war crime, and Russia continues to deny...
20 Books of Winter 2026
Lisa Hill launches her annual "20 Books of Winter 2026" reading challenge, running from June 1 to August 31. She targets the U‑V‑W‑X‑Y‑Z sections of her 974‑book fiction TBR shelf, aiming to clear space and refresh her collection. The curated list features...
Sarah Dessen’s Change of Plans Is Warm Summer YA Romance
Sarah Dessen’s long‑awaited return to young‑adult fiction arrives with “Change of Plans,” a hardcover released on May 5, 2026 by Simon & Schuster for $21.99. The novel follows Finley, a shy teen who spends an unexpected summer at her mother’s lake house, where...
You and Your Two Wolves
Michael Bungay Stanier highlights Eric’s new book *How a Little Became a Lot*, which grew from the *One You Feed* podcast. The book uses the classic two‑wolf fable to explore how we nurture either uplifting or draining relationships. Stanier urges readers...
A Lesson in Audiobooks
Jeff’s Substack post promotes a live Zoom session on May 12, 2026, where he, audiobook pioneer Cory Verner, and business model expert Jared Kuritz will dissect the current state of the audiobook market. The 45‑minute presentation, followed by a 15‑minute Q&A, will...
Relational Ground (Chapter Four)
The author announced the launch of a new book, *The Practice of Being Alive*, and is releasing its chapters as working drafts on Substack. Chapter Four, titled “Relational Ground,” explores a subtle form of social fatigue that stems from constantly...
10 Best Books Every Investment Banker Should Read
The article curates ten essential titles for investment‑banking professionals, grouped into deal stories, banker memoirs, investing mindset, business strategy, and valuation. It highlights classic works such as *Barbarians at the Gate* and *The Dark Side of Valuation* while recommending a...
Why We Think What We Think
Turi Munthe’s new book, *Why We Think What We Think*, argues that our opinions are shaped by a complex mix of genetics, geography, history and culture rather than pure reason. It illustrates this with striking examples, such as rice‑farmer descendants...
Control Science: How Management Made the Modern World
Henry Snow’s new book *Control Science* traces the evolution of management as a tool of power, from 17th‑century Caribbean plantations through the industrial revolution to today’s algorithm‑driven Amazon warehouses. The work links philosophers such as William Petty and John Locke, who portrayed...
Excerpt: A Fight for Justice in Tulsa and a Blueprint for Black Power
Damario Solomon‑Simmons’s new book Redeem a Nation hits shelves, chronicling the multi‑year fight for reparations in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district. The author details how a diverse coalition of activists, attorneys, and centenarian survivors built a legal case that now serves as a...
Why I’m Giving Away My New Book for Free
Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer are giving away a free EPUB of their new book, "Everybody Has Something to Hide: Why and How to Use Signal to Preserve Your Privacy, Security, and Well-Being." The guide explains Signal’s core features—setup, disappearing...
Feeling Off-Course?
Neil's new two‑novella "Drift and Return" launches today as the fourth entry in the Smiling Dog Café series. The stories follow an Olympic luger and a former intelligence officer as they seek personal reset with the help of intuitive dogs....
The Innovation Engine We're Choosing to Break
The new book *Priority Technologies* argues that U.S. dominance in semiconductors, biomanufacturing, critical minerals, drones, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing hinges on a federal‑university research pipeline. Historically, government‑funded basic research has contributed up to 25% of post‑World War II economic growth,...
The Initiates of the Flame
The blog post uses William Blake’s painting “God Judging Adam” as a metaphor for a hidden class of spiritual guardians who protect humanity’s inner “Flame.” It reflects on the cyclical rise and fall of great civilizations—Greece, Rome, Egypt—and warns that...
Teens Take over Rule in Soman Chainani’s Young World
Soman Chainani’s new YA thriller Young World hit shelves on May 5, 2026, priced at $21.99 in hardcover. The novel follows high‑school senior Benton Young, who impulsively videos himself as a write‑in presidential candidate, sparking a viral revolt that lands him in...
The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave (Hannah Hall #1)
Laura Dave’s thriller *The Last Thing He Told Me* has been turned into an Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Garner, prompting renewed interest in the 2021 novel. The story follows step‑mother Hannah Hall as she and her teenage step‑daughter Bailey scramble...
Unpacking 3/11 Viral Takeover with Tom Nelson
In a recent interview, author Sonia Elijah sits down with Tom Nelson to unpack her book *3/11 Viral Takeover*, which argues that a coordinated narrative reshaped the global response to COVID‑19 beginning on March 11, 2020. The conversation walks through alleged censorship...
Madeline Vosch’s Book Notes Music Playlist for Her Memoir Undead
Writer Madeline Vosch’s memoir "Undead" chronicles her 2018 suicide attempt, the years leading up to it, and her ongoing search for hope. As part of Largehearted Boy’s Book Notes series, Vosch paired the memoir with a 31‑track playlist, largely featuring...
What Do 50 Newly Agented Authors Have in Common?
QueryTracker examined the latest fifty success stories from authors who recently secured literary agents and uncovered nine recurring characteristics among them. The analysis revealed a clear seasonal pattern, with twelve stories in March, sixteen in February, fourteen in January, ten...
How to Find a Literary Agent in 2026: The Complete Guide for Authors
The guide outlines a systematic approach for authors to secure a literary agent in 2026, emphasizing that agents remain essential gatekeepers for mainstream bookstore placement. It walks writers through five actionable steps—from defining target agents and leveraging modern databases to...
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee’s debut adult science‑fiction novel, The Last Contract of Isako, follows fifty‑year‑old corporate samurai Isako on the frigid colony Aquilo, where the Company dictates life and death. The story blends space‑opera worldbuilding with themes of aging, duty, and transhumanist...
Surprise, Surprise...
The piece explores how the term “style” is interpreted in literature, contrasting the lofty, ornate prose of writers like Henry James and James Joyce with the stripped‑down, invisible style championed by Hemingway. It argues that every work possesses a stylistic...
Top 15 Most Read Romantasy: Week of May 10
The weekly "Top 15 Most Read Romantasy" list for the week of May 10 reveals a shift in reader preferences across the genre. While the label "romantasy" still aggregates a wide range of titles, readers are now distinguishing true romantasy—where romance...
A Rich and Evocative Iraq War (?) Rom-Com
Read Max’s weekly roundup highlights a diverse set of cultural picks, from an upcoming history of mind‑machine interfaces to a celebrated baseball novel and a rare Iraq War romantic comedy. The newsletter also shares a curated music list and links...
Book Review: 3/11 Viral Takeover
Sonia Elijah’s debut *3/11: Viral Takeover* offers a forensic, five‑year investigation into the COVID‑19 response, positioning the March 11, 2020 pandemic declaration as a civilizational turning point akin to 9/11. The book argues that a flawed epidemiological model, unvalidated PCR testing, and...
Third and Long (Paw Prints on My Heart #1) by Rebecca Minelga
Rebecca Minelga’s debut novel, *Third and Long (Paw Prints on My Heart #1)*, follows trauma survivor Abby Barclay, her therapy dog Gen, and a grieving NFL quarterback, Scott, as they navigate love, custody battles, and terminal illness. The story intertwines...
Defining Victory in the Summer of 1864
At a Monterey conference, historian Brooks Simpson explained how public perception shaped the Union’s summer 1864 campaign, when General Grant coordinated multiple armies despite heavy casualties. The talk highlighted Lincoln’s unwavering strategic goal—preserving the United States and ending slavery—which allowed...
Recommended Reading
The Best of Journalism released a free Mother’s Day edition on May 11, 2026, featuring six headline articles and a Mother’s Day Extravaganza of fifteen essays, poems, and personal narratives. The newsletter includes a prominent “Give a gift subscription” link, encouraging readers...
How to Write a Bestseller: Mastering the Thriller, Suspense, and Horror Genres in 2026
The post breaks down the formula for turning a thriller, suspense, or horror manuscript into a 2026 bestseller. It explains the distinct mechanics of each sub‑genre, then outlines three pillars—concept, tension, and market fit—that drive sales. Practical tools for crafting...
What I Tell Kids About AI
The post offers a comprehensive, free‑resource guide for teenagers and their parents on how to understand, learn, build, and play with AI while keeping human skills front‑and‑center. It outlines a staged approach—understand AI fundamentals, use AI as a thinking partner,...
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
Gillian McAllister’s latest thriller, *Caller Unknown*, drops readers into a remote Texas lodge where a British mother’s teenage daughter vanishes on day one. A mysterious burner phone delivers a chilling demand that forces the mother, chef Simone Seaborn, into a...
Book Review: Influence by Robert Cialdini
Robert Cialdini’s *Influence* maps seven psychological levers—reciprocity, commitment, social proof, liking, authority, scarcity and unity—that drive human decision‑making. The book argues that mental shortcuts help us conserve cognitive effort but also make us vulnerable to persuasion tactics. The reviewer finds...
Pericles: The Myth of a Golden Age and the Crisis of Democracy
The Classical Wisdom series is hosting a live conversation on Pericles, the Athenian leader often credited with ushering in the city‑state’s Golden Age. Internationally recognized classicists Paul Cartledge of Cambridge and Armand D’Angour of Oxford will dissect the myth versus...
Sip Saturday
Sip Saturday is a weekly devotional written by Christian author M.H. Elrich, who also pens a fantasy series. The post reflects on Hebrews 4:3, arguing that God’s sovereign plan offers comfort amid life’s uncertainties. Elrich blends personal anecdotes with biblical...
Wolf Worm by T Kingfisher💙📚
T Kingfisher’s novella *Wolf Worm* follows 1899 scientific illustrator Sonia Wilson as she takes a job with the eerie Dr. Halder in rural North Carolina. While sketching his collection of grotesque insects, she encounters bizarre animal threats—a watching squirrel and a door‑opening possum—that...