Small Press Insights: Bestseller Tracking Site
Jim Hanas has launched Small Press Insights, a website that tracks Amazon sales for small‑press titles. The platform offers real‑time bestseller data that was previously unavailable to indie publishers and authors. Access is bundled with Jane Friedman’s premium newsletter, which also includes over 3,000 searchable articles and private resource guides. The service is positioned as a subscription‑based tool for the niche publishing market.
AI and Libraries: Why Librarians May Become Arbiters of Reality
A recent Book Industry Study Group webinar revealed that librarians are the publishing industry’s early‑warning system on AI. A BISG survey shows roughly one‑third of library respondents neither use nor plan to use AI, and 34% label themselves ethically opposed....
Ghosting Your Own Book: How to Cross the Finish Line When You Want to Run Away
Anne Marina Pellicciotto spent over a decade crafting a memoir before hitting a mental‑health wall while drafting a required synopsis. A therapist session helped her untangle inner conflicts, and she turned to Claude, an AI writing assistant, to generate a...
Barnes & Noble Press Sets Minimum Paperback Price of $14.99, Among Other New Guidelines
Barnes & Noble Press announced a new pricing rule that sets a minimum paperback price of $14.99, reflecting mounting print‑production costs. The floor price applies across its self‑publishing platform, making it especially difficult for short‑form titles such as novellas, poetry...
On the List: The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson
Sheila Masterson’s fourth novel, The Poison Daughter, has become her first USA Today bestseller, marking a breakthrough for the author. The book’s entry onto the list signals strong sales across both print and digital channels. Masterson, previously known for niche...
How Compassion Changed My Writing
Anne E. Beall, Ph.D., recounts how embracing compassion for her mother, herself, and her inner critic transformed her writing. By reframing her mother from a villain to a nuanced human, previously rejected memoir pieces were accepted by literary journals. Extending...
Teach Your Book: Designing a Class Around Your Memoir
Author Melissa Fraterrigo launched a free two‑hour memoir‑writing workshop tied to the release of her upcoming book, The Perils of Girlhood. Participants proved purchase receipts to join, and the class combined theory, personal excerpts, and hands‑on timeline exercises. The format...
The Bifurcation of Rights: What’s Old Is New Again
Self‑publishing authors are increasingly striking deals with traditional houses, reviving the practice of splitting rights across multiple publishers. The surge in hybrid agreements lets writers allocate print, ebook, audio, and foreign rights to specialists, optimizing each format’s market potential. This...
Beventi Adds Ticket Ordering for Bookstores
Beventi has rolled out a new feature that lets bookstore customers buy event tickets and pre‑order books in a single checkout. The integration streamlines the purchasing process, combining entertainment and retail in one transaction. Early tests show faster checkout times...
The Memoir Playbook I Wish More Writers Knew
Jacqueline Salmon, a veteran ghostwriter, outlines three core principles for successful memoirs: choose a clear thematic focus, conduct extensive journalist‑style interviews, and frame the story within a larger cultural context. She illustrates each point with examples ranging from lifeguard Debbie...
Why ADHD Writers’ Brains Are Like Lions (and How to Harness Their Power)
The article draws a vivid parallel between ADHD writers and lions, emphasizing shared traits such as holistic perception, rapid hyperfocus bursts, and the need for extensive rest. It argues that conventional, linear writing advice—steady daily word counts—misaligns with the cyclical...
Links of Interest: April 1, 2026
Jane Friedman’s newsletter page promotes a paid subscription that grants weekly publishing industry analysis, access to over 3,000 searchable premium articles, and private resource guides. The offering is positioned as a premium alternative to free content, emphasizing depth in publishing,...
New Children’s Imprint: Curiosity Unlocked Books
Teacher Created Materials announced a new children’s imprint called Curiosity Unlocked Books, targeting readers up to age 12. The line will offer both fiction and nonfiction titles designed to complement classroom learning and spark curiosity. By positioning the imprint as...
What Bookstores Want From Traditional Publishers—And How the Bookstore Market Has Changed
A recent BISG panel highlighted how BookTok and younger readers are reshaping bookstore traffic, prompting chains like Books‑A‑Million to expand titles in romance, fantasy, and LitRPG. Independent stores such as RJ Julia focus on curated selections, using events and physical galleys...
New Children’s Imprint at Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks has announced a new children’s imprint, Joyful Pen Books, in partnership with author‑educator Lavaille Lavette. The imprint will publish inclusive stories that emphasize empowerment and diverse perspectives. Lavette will serve as editorial lead, guiding the acquisition of titles for...