BTW News Briefs

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Here’s what’s happening this week in the book industry:

In 2020, Children’s Book Week will feature two dedicated weeks of celebration: a spring celebration from May 4-10, 2020, for bookstores, schools, and libraries, and a fall celebration  from November 9-15, targeted mainly at schools. Registration is open for the spring celebration now, and bookstores, schools, and libraries that sign up through February 2020 will receive free posters, inclusion in the 2020 national media campaign, and more.

TotalRetail reports that, effective December 29, 2019, UPS Ground, UPS Air, and International services rates will increase by an average of 4.9 percent; in addition, as part of its annual rate increase, FedEx Express (Domestic, U.S. Export and U.S. Import), FedEx Ground, and FedEx Home Delivery shipping rates will increase by an average of 4.9 percent,and FedEx Freight will increase rates by an average of 5.9 percent, effective January 6, 2020.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has announced it will be launching Etch, a new children’s graphic novel imprint, in September 2020. Etch will gather all of HMH’s graphic novels into a single imprint, and will publish about 15 books per year.

Casemate Group will distribute the following seven new publishers: Australian Scholarly Publishing in all territories outside Australia/New Zealand, starting January 1; Blikvelduitgevers globally; Bridge 21 globally, moving from Taylor & Francis; Kerns Verlag globally, excluding Germany; Messenger Publications in the U.S., distribution through Casemate IPM; Neem Tree Press globally through Casemate IPM; and Veritas Books in the U.S.

Episode two of YouTube’s digital book club series BookTube is now streaming online. In this month’s episode, booktubers speak with author Margaret Atwood about the inspiration for her newest book, The Testaments, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale.

Matt Brogan is the new executive director of the Poetry Society of America, starting November 25.
 
Christine Edwards is joining HarperCollins in the newly created role of senior vice president of sales on December 30. She is currently vice president and group sales director for Crown Publishing Group at Penguin Random House as well as vice president and group sales director for Penguin Random House Audio.
 
Maggie Richards has been promoted to senior vice president and associate publisher at Henry Holt & Company. Serena Jones has stepped back as editor-in-chief and will now serve as executive editor “to devote more time to her books and authors.” President and publisher Amy Einhorn is currently searching for a new editor-in-chief.
 
On November 22, the New York Times announced its lists of the 10 Best Books of 2019 and the 100 Notable Books of 2019, as chosen by New York Times Book Review editors.
 
The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) has announced the winners of its annual RNA Industry Awards. Decided based on nominations from RNA members, the awards celebrate those professionals whose work supports and promotes the romantic fiction genre. This year, the list of awards features the newly created RNA Inclusion Award.
 
Share your news in BTW News Briefs! Publishers and industry partners are welcome to e-mail [email protected] with news about awards, imprint launches, distribution changes, staff promotions, and more.

 

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