Mid-January 2021 News

See a news item missing? Email melanininya@gmail.com in time for the next news round up at the end of the month!

Book Deals

Charity Alyse sold her debut novel, OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS coming Fall 2022 from Denene Millner Books.

Britney S. Lewis sold her debut novel in a two-book deal, the first book being THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US coming Summer 2022 from Disney-Hyperion.

Brittney Morris sold a significant two-book deal for THE JUMP, coming Spring 2023 and Spring 2024 from Simon & Schuster Children’s. (Agent: Quressa Robinson)

Ashley Woodfolk sold a significant deal for NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU coming Spring 2022 from Versify.

Cover Reveals

LGBTQ Reads unveiled the cover for THINGS WE COULDN’T SAY by Jay Coles (September 21, 2021).

Cover Design: Baily Crawford

Fierce Reads unveiled the cover for THE MARVELOUS by Claire Kann (June 8, 2021)

Art: Rachelle Baker

Cover Design: Liz Dresner

Bethany C. Morrow unveiled the cover for SO MANY BEGINNINGS (September 7, 2021).

Photography: Jonathan Barkat

Cover Design: Rich Deas

Models: Portland Thomas, Nadia Waters, Kenisha Robinson, & Saada Wing

Bloomsbury unveiled the cover for the anthology, EVERY BODY SHINES: SIXTEEN STORIES ABOUT LIVING FABULOUSLY FAT which includes short stories written by Claire Kann, Francina Simone, Renée Watson and Catherine Adel West (May 11, 2021).

Art: Hippy Potter

Cover Design: John Candell

Carolyn Tara O’Neil unveiled the cover for her novel, DAUGHTERS OF A DEAD EMPIRE (September 21, 2021).

Cover Design: Aurora Parlagreco

We Need Diverse Books unveiled the cover for LOOKING FOR GRACE by Pamela Varnado (November 2, 2021)

Illustration: Bree Archer

Appearances

Maika & Marita Moulite appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers to promote their sophomore novel, ONE OF THE GOOD ONES out now. Watch the full episode here.

Angie Thomas appeared on CBS This Morning to promote the prequel to The Hate U Give, CONCRETE ROSE, out now. Watch the clip below.

Awards

Kalynn Bayron received the Book Shimmy Award in the category of We Need Diverse Books for CINDERELLA IS DEAD.

Saraciea J. Fennell became a Bronx Power Women Hall of Fame honoree for her work as the founder of The Bronx is Reading Bronx Book Festival.

Kim Johnson received a Pacific Northwest 2021 Book Award for THIS IS MY AMERICA.

More Updates

Baldwin for the Arts Residency opens for applications today for two months. There is a $10 non-refundable application fee and there is no residency fee for the program which is open to BIPOC artists. The minimum stay is one week but you can stay for up to four weeks.

Harriett’s Bookshop is gearing up to celebrate one year in business!

Mahogany L. Browne was featured in Entertainment Weekly and Shondaland to discuss her debut, CHLORINE SKY, out now.

Apple Books named HAPPILY EVER AFTERS by Elise Bryant one of the Best Books of January 2021.

Namina Forna received her first starred review, from Booklist for her debut novel, THE GILDED ONES (February 9, 2021).

Pamela N. Harris was featured on Shondaland to discuss her novel, WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE US, out now.

Liz Jenkins has been promoted to COO at Hello Sunshine.

Leah Johnson had a lovely chat with Mean Girls scribe, Tina Fey about YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN, out now.

Literary Agent, Kiana Nguyen has slots open for January query consultations at Manuscript Academy!

Sarah Raughley wrote a guest piece for Teen Vogue, “Josh Hawley’s Lost Book Deal Isn’t Orwellian. It’s a Consequence.”

Angie Thomas covers the latest issue (January 15, 2021) of KIRKUS Reviews Magazine and was featured in Entertainment Weekly and Shondaland among many other outlets to discuss CONCRETE ROSE.

YALSA announced their 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults which include books by Elizabeth Acevedo, Tiffany D. Jackson, Jordan Ifueko, Kim Johnson, and any more.

January Book Releases

January 5, 2021

Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis

The Life I’m In by Sharon G. Flake

When You Look Like Us by Pamela Harris

One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite

The Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz & Tiffany D. Jackson

January 12, 2021

Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults) by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Angel of Greenwood by Randi Pink

The Meet-Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

January 19, 2021

Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall

January 26, 2021

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

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