
Subscribe:
- Want the full newsletter? Subscribe on Substack for $5 a month!

Book Deals
- Kacen Callender sold a two-book six-figure deal for their contemporary novel, LARK & KASIM START A REVOLUTION coming 2022 from Abrams.
- Candice Iloh sold world English rights to their next novel in verse, SALT THE WATER coming 2023 from Dutton.
- Cam Montgomery‘s short story will be featured in the contemporary anthology, OUT OF OUR LEAGUE edited by Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli coming from Feiwel and Friends in 2023.
- The historical fiction graphic novel, NOT LIGHT, BUT FIRE: THE STORY OF MARY BOWSER by Jamie McGhee writing as Jay Leslie, illustrated by Charlot Kristensen sold to Henry Holt, coming 2024.
Publisher Breakdown 2021 So Far
- Available to Patreon and Newsletter Subscribers Only
Foreign Rights
- BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray sold to Hungary, Poland, Brazil, Romania, Russia, and Spain.
Cover Reveals
- The cover was reveal across Instagram for EVERY VARIABLE OF US by Charles A. Bush (March 1, 2022)
Cover Artist: Kah Yangni

Appearances
Note: To see the latest virtual events coming up, be sure to visit the Events page!
- Jason Reynolds appeared on NBC to give us a tour of his renovated DC residence. Watch the full segment here.
Buzz – Starred Reviews
- BookPage: SO MANY BEGINNINGS by Bethany C. Morrow
- Kirkus: WE ARE NOT BROKEN by George M. Johnson
- School Library Journal: BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray
General Updates
- ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, THE TAKING OF JAKE LIVINGSTON by Ryan Douglass, and WHITE SMOKE by Tiffany D. Jackson were featured in Buzzfeed’s article, 24 Young Adult Mystery And Thriller Books You’ll Consume In One Sitting.
- Pop Sugar featured WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS by Lauren Blackwood in These 10 New Books About Witches Are Utterly Spellbinding.
- The release date for WILD TONGUES CAN’T BE TAMED Edited by Saraciea J. Fennell has been pushed to November 2, 2021.
- Harper Glenn has switched representation and is now represented by Andrea Morrison at Writers House.
- Asia Harden has joined Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers as the new Editorial Assistant.
- Bustle featured BAD WITCH BURNING by Jessica Lewis as one of the 8 Must-Read New Books Out This Week.
- Epic Reads featured BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray, WHITE SMOKE by Tiffany D. Jackson in The 17 Most Anticipated YA Books to Read in September.
- Ibi Zoboi, Maritza & Maika Moulite, Debbie Rigaud, Ben Philippe, and more are offering up goodies for the Romance For Haiti Auction for Earthquake Relief, which runs until September 3, 2021.
Podcasts
- Everything is Canon
- Amber McBride – August 16, 2021
- Queery with Cameron Esposito
- Junauda Petrus-Nasah – August. 1, 2021
- What Book Hooked You?
- Jessica Lewis. – August 19, 2021
September 2021 Book Releases
September 7, 2021
The Problem with the Other Side by Kwame Ivery
We Are Not Broken by George M. Johnson
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley
Battle of the Bands Edited by Lauren Gibaldi & Eric Smith
September 14, 2021
Kneel by Candace Buford
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
September 21, 2021
Things We Couldn’t Say by Jay Coles
September 28, 2021
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
For All Time by Shanna Miles
Happy reading!
WANT MORE?
If you would like a super-size version of this newsletter in your inbox each month, be sure to subscribe to the Melanin in YA Monthly Newsletter ($5 per month) over at Substack! You’ll also get certain data before it hits Melanin in YA as well as links to secret pages before they officially go live!
Got a News Tip?
Email Melanin in YA at info@melanininya.com with your news tip!
FIND MELANIN IN YA
Twitter I Instagram I Facebook Page I Facebook Group I Goodreads Group IGoodreads Friend I Clubhouse