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

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Melanin in YA News

The 2021 Bookish Holiday Gift Guide is here! 50 gifts under $60 from Black owned businesses and creators, with discount codes for XOXO, Sierra and Laurie Makes just for Melanin in YA readers! Woo! Also, stay tuned for an entire month of giveaways on Twitter and Instagram coming this December!

In case you missed it, Melanin in YA revealed the cover for THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US by Britney S. Lewis!

As the year comes to a close, the final 3 newsletters of 2021 may be a bit light but they’ll still come and we’ve got plenty in store for 2022, so be sure that you’re a Patreon supporter at the ARC level or above to get the scoop on what’s coming! You won’t want to miss the year in review over there coming this December!

Book Deals

Dana Davis sold SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW, coming Fall 2022 from Skyscape.

JCJB sold their graphic novel, ANAMNESIS coming Winter 2026 from First Second.

Debut author, Shade Lapite sold a YA fantasy, GODDESS CROWN, in a two-book deal, coming Spring 2023 from Walker Books.

Publisher Breakdown 2021 So Far

Available to Patreon and Newsletter Subscribers Only

Foreign Rights

BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray sold to Greece.

RAYBEARER and REDEMPTOR by Jordan Ifueko sold to Italy.

Cover Reveals

.Jas Hammonds unveiled the cover for WE DESERVE MONUMENTS (July 12, 2022).
- Illustration: Ukelaylie

Well-Read Black Girl unveiled the cover for LOVE RADIO by Ebony LaDelle (May 31, 2022). The cover was just dropped so be sure to support Well-Read Black Girl with a click and head over to see the cover there!
- Illustrator: Noa Denmon
- Art Director: Krista Vossen

Bestseller Lists

NYT: SKIN OF THE SEA by Natasha Bowen debuted at #10 on the November 21, 2021 List.

Indie: SKIN OF THE SEA by Natasha Bowen debuted at #12 on the November 10, 2021 List.

Awards/Honors

The PW Stars of 2021 Honorees include Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Alexandra Hightower, Tricia Skinner, and more.

BLACK WAS THE INK debut author, Michelle Coles was named a Good Troublemaker by the John Lewis & Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation.

Nominations for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards are here. THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna is a nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction and Best Debut Novel. ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas, & INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING by Nicola Yoon are nominees for .Best Young Adult Fiction. CHLORINE SKY by Mahogany L. Browne, HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY by Safia Elhillo, and ME (MOTH) by Amber McBride are nominees for Best Poetry Book.

Buzz – Starred Reviews

School Library Journal: BLACK BIRDS IN THE SKY by Brandy Colbert

General Updates

LOVE TIMES INFINITY by Lane Clarke has a release date! Mark your calendar for July 26, 2022.

Steph Curry’s Literati Book Club December 2021 Pick is BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray.

Hugh H.D. Hunter is leading a Tin House 3-Hour Craft Intensive ($75) this December. For details, click here.

George M. Johnson was named one of POZ Magazine’s 100 Influential HIV/AIDS Advocates.

The pre-order campaign for YOU TRULY ASSUMED by Laila Sabreen has begun!

Buzzfeed published 25 Of The Most Anticipated Books Coming Out Next Year, According To Book Lovers which featured BLOODMARKED by Tracy Deonn.

Elle Magazine published 30 YA Books That Are Must-Reads For All Ages which featured Elizabeth Acevedo, Tomi Adeyemei, K. Ancrum, Kacen Callender, Akwaeke Emezi, Leah Johnson, Sarah Raughley, Nic Stone, and Angie Thomas.

Semicolon Bookstore has launched a used book pop-up in Chicago. Details here.

Podcasts

Everything is Canon
- Roseanne A. Brown – November 4, 2021

First Draft with Sarah Enni
- Roseanne A. Brown – November 4, 2021

Here Wee Read
- Lamar Giles – November 3, 2021

What Book Hooked You?
- Ben Philippe – November 11, 2021 (Note: This is the final episode of the What Book Hooked You? Podcast)

November 2021 Joy

Happy reading!

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