Goliath Takes On Goliath

America woke up Wednesday morning to a story that ultimately could have huge ramifications on the way we buy and sell books. “Independent booksellers were the first to feel the impact of Amazon’s monopolistic behavior decades ago,’’ said David Grogan, Director, ABFE, Advocacy & Public Policy, American Booksellers Association, in a statement regarding this week’s FTC filing of a massive antitrust suit against Amazon. It is estimated that Amazon accounts for close to 90 percent of all sales of indie-published genre novels and between 30-50 percent of sales for traditionally published books. “Proponents of Amazon,” added Grogan, “love to refer to their behavior as creative destruction, but in reality it’s one of simple and planned destruction. Its behavior has harmed communities, destroyed jobs; and far from lowering prices, Amazon used its algorithm to increase prices on consumers.” Stay tuned for more on this developing story.

LeVar Burton to Lead 2023 Banned Books Week

As the industry gears up for Banned Books Week starting Oct. 1, beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton will serve as honorary chair for the annual weeklong event. The event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. Recognizable for his groundbreaking roles in the landmark television series Roots and the Star Trek franchise, Burton’s work as a literacy advocate has inspired generations.

Julie Andrews and Daughter Honor the Arts in Symphonic Children’s Book

When a lively village is beset by a mysterious fog, the town turns dull and silent; melancholy neighbors stop visiting each other and even going outside. Until one day, when a boy’s simple melody strikes a chord, reminding everyone of what matters most — even in the darkest of times.

Red States Cut Ties with ALA

Over the summer, state libraries in Montana, Missouri and Texas announced that they were severing ties with the American Library Association, imperiling their libraries’ access to funding and training. The Texas decision was taken after state Rep. Brian Harrison (R) wrote to library leaders saying that “the ALA works against parents by fighting to keep pornographic materials in public libraries.” Conservative legislators in at least nine additional states are urging their state libraries to follow suit and disaffiliate.

Meanwhile, librarians and those on the political left are defending the ALA as a key provider of money and skills for librarians, a trusted authority on efforts to censor books and a champion of citizens’ freedom to read.

Royal Encounter Sparks Inspiration for Jeffrey Archer’s Latest Thriller

In 2021, Jeffrey Archer was sitting next to a member of the Royal household on a cruise around the British Isles when the man shared how someone could steal the Crown Jewels. That conversation, as surreal as it seemed at the time, sparked the inspiration for the sixth book in Archer’s bestselling Detective William Warwick series, Traitor’s Gate. Hear about his research and other crafting elements in this BookTrib interview.

Books Launching This Week

Check out some of the highly anticipated books coming out September 25 through October 1!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%! — and Other Self-Help Trends

Which self-help books are capturing the attention of Americans this year? Shane Co. recently turned to Google Trends to uncover the most searched titles across different states and regions. Whether it’s about decluttering, finding inner peace, or just not sweating the small stuff, there’s a book out there resonating with people. Check out their full report.

Also Making News This Week

Bestseller Talks Fantasy, Family and Tackling YA for First Time

Author Interview

We had the chance to ask Ava Reid a few questions about her latest novel, A Study in Drowning (an immersive read with themes of emotional growth and female empowerment), her upcoming reimagining of Lady Macbeth’s story, and more.

Horror Writer Transforms the Slasher Genre

Author Interview

Stephen Graham Jones knows how to write a killer novel. As a staple of horror, particularly slashers, Jones’ novels are full of graphic visuals — from body horror, to supernatural creatures. In an interview for BookTrib, we asked Jones about writing gore, tough themes and crafting his next novel.

The Supervillain Business is Tough in New Fantasy

Sci-Fi Satire

After inheriting his uncle’s supervillain business, it’s up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against his fellow villains. But with unionized dolphins, hyper-intelligent talking spy cats and a terrifying henchperson at his side, going bad is starting to look pretty good.

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AuthorBuzz: Opposites Attract in Romance Between Actress and Bodyguard
Tempted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella by Lexi Blake

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“Every dictator gets rid of the artist first. They burn the books and execute the artist first… Art might do something. It’s dangerous.”
― Toni Morrison

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