Mid-July 2021 News, Deals, Reveals, & More

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Book Deals

Gabi Burton sold a YA fantasy, SING ME TO SLEEP and a sequel (in a six-figure preempt) coming 2023 from Bloomsbury.

Krystal Marquis sold a deal (world English rights in a pre-empt) for her debut novel, a romance, THE DAVENPORTS coming 2023 from Dial.

Vincent Tirado sold their debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP coming 2022 from Sourcebooks Fire.

Publisher Breakdown 2021 So Far

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Foreign Rights

ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Abike-Iyimide sold to Spain.

HAPPILY EVER AFTERS by Elise Bryant sold to Brazil.

LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn sold to France, Philippines, and Russia.

RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko sold to France.

Tinseltown – Adaptation News

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama‘s Higher Ground production company along with Temple Hill will produce a film and TV event of BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. – THR

Kalynn Bayron has shared that CINDERELLA IS DEAD has been optioned so stay tuned for more details down the line.

Cover Reveals

LGBTQ Reads revealed the cover for SURVIVE THE DOME by Kosoko Jackson (March 1, 2022).
- Cover Artist: Jeff Manning

Kristin R. Lee unveiled the cover for REQUIRED READING FOR THE DISENFRANCHISED FRESHMAN (February 1, 2022)

Cover Designers: Mimi Moffie & Regina Flath

Riveted released the cover for TURNING by Joy L. Smith (March 1, 2022).

In case you missed it, NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU by Ashley Woodfolk (April 5, 2022).

Bestseller Lists

NYT: BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon hit the list (July 11, 2021).

Indie: BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon hit the list at #6 (June 30, 2021). THIS POISON HEART by Kalynn Bayron hit the list at #11 (July 7, 2021).

Appearances

Note: To see the latest virtual events coming up, be sure to visit the Events page!

Renée Watson appeared on CBS This Morning in a segment discussing the important of diverse children’s books. You can watch the full clip here.

Awards/Honors

Lincoln Center named Its First Poet in Residence, Mahogany L. Browne. Read more about this in NYT.

Indiebound released their July/August Kids Indie Next Picks which include THE PASSING PLAYBOOK by Isaac Fitzsimons, RISE TO THE SUN by Leah Johnson, ME (MOTH) by Amber McBride, DON’T HATE THE PLAYER by Alexis Nedd, and BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon.

BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray is a Junior Library Guild Selection. RISE TO THE SUN by Leah Johnson is also a Junior Library Guild Selection.

Buzz – Starred Reviews

Kirkus: THE SISTERS OF RECKONING by Charlottte Nicole Davis.

School Library Journal: ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Abike-Iyimide, BLACKOUT by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon

General Updates

Kalynn Bayron announced the title for the follow up to THIS POISON HEART which is THIS WICKED FATE.

Michelle Coles announced the new release date for BLACK WAS THE INK, October 12, 2021.

Maika and Maritza Moulite received a proclamation from Miami-Dade Schools celebrating their accomplishments as authors who are products of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Bustle listed RISE TO THE SUN by Leah Johnson as one of the 10 Must-Read New Books Out This Week as well as The 43 Most Anticipated New Books Of July 2021 which also included THE TAKING OF JAKE LIVINGSTON by Ryan Douglass and THE RIGHT SIDE OF RECKLESS by Whitney D. Grandison.

RISE TO THE SUN also made BuzzFeed’s Picks For The Best Books Of July 2021. Also, be sure to check out familiar titles on 35 New And Upcoming Sci-Fi Thrillers You Won’t Want To Put Down and 21 YA Romances We’re Looking Forward To In 2021.

Book Riot shared The Best Books of 2021 So Far which include EXCUSE ME WHILE I UGLY CRY by Joya Goffney, HAPPILY EVER AFTERS by Elise Bryant, ONE OF THE GOOD ONES by Maika & Maritza Moulite. You’ll also see some familiar titles on their 8 Spectacular Books by Nonbinary Authors list and 15 Magical Books Like Legendborn list.

Penguin Random House announced DREAMS FROM MY FATHER Adapted for Young Adults by Barack Obama will release October 5, 2021 and will be accompanied by an unabridged audiobook narrated by the author.

Podcasts

First Draft with Sarah Enni
- Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon – July 12, 2021
What Book Hooked You?
- Ryan Douglass – July 8, 2021

July 2021 Joy

Happy reading!

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