- Note: This news roundup includes news from both February and March.
The Rundown
- Melanin in YA News
- Book Deals
- Foreign Rights
- Tinseltown – Adaptation News
- Cover Reveals
- Bestseller Lists
- Awards/Honors
- Buzz – Starred Reviews
- General Updates
- Podcasts
- April 2024 Releases
Melanin in YA News
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Book Deals
- Britney S. Lewis sold a YA paranormal romance, BLOOD MOON to Page Street with a scheduled publication of winter 2025.
- In a six-figure deal, Arriel Vinson has sold a contemporary YA novel-in-verse, THE FREEDOM OF FALLING to Putnam, which is scheduled for publication summer 2025.
- Lisa Springer sold a YA contemporary horror, WHO’S ALL GOING (TO DIE)? to Delacorte Press with a scheduled publication of fall 2025.
- The nonfiction YA, THE BEAUTY EMANCIPATION written by Rachel Werner, illustrated by Céli Godfried, has been sold to Feiwel and Friends with publication scheduled for winter 2026.
- Kwame Mbalia and Erin Entrada Kelly sold a rom-com, ON AGAIN, AWKWARD AGAIN, in a mid-six-figure, two-book deal to Amulet, with publication of the first book set for spring 2025.
- Trisha Tobias sold a YA contemporary meets Gothic ghost story, HONEYSUCKLE AND BONE to Zando Young Readers/Sweet July Books, with publication set for March 2025.
- Tamara Cole sold a YA psychological thriller, WE KILL THE FLAME, to HarperCollins/Quill Tree which is set for publication in 2025.
Foreign Rights
- BEASTS OF PREY by Ayana Gray sold to Ukraine.
Tinseltown – Adaptation News
- Amazon Prime is developing THE DAVENPORTS by Krystal Marquis into a television series with Warner Bros. Television. – Deadline
- The BLOOD LIKE duology by Liselle Sambury. has been optioned for film/tv by Circle Blue Entertainment. – Liselle Sambury
Cover Reveals
- Charlene Allen unveiled the cover for MY FAIRY GOD SOMEBODY (December 3, 2024).
- Illustrator: Rachelle Baker
- Louangie Bou-Montes unveiled the cover for TILL THE LAST BEAT OF MY HEART (September 10, 2024).
- Designer: Corina Lupp
- Illustrator: Hillary D Wilson
- MTV unveiled the cover for HOW TO LOSE A BEST FRIEND by Jordan K. Casomar (September 10, 2024).
- Gabi Burton unveiled the cover for DROWN ME WITH DREAMS (August 20, 2024).
- Cover Art: Fernanda Suarez
- Joy Revolution unveiled the cover for THE DIVIDING SKY by Jill Tew.
- Cover Design: Liz Dresner & Jorge Luis Miraldo
- Penguin Teen unveiled the cover for PRINCE OF THE PALISADES by Julian Winters (August 20, 2024).
- Illustrator: Natalia Agatte
- Cover Design: Kaitlin Yang
Bestseller Lists
NYT: INFINITY ALCHEMIST by Kacen Callender debuted at #6 on February 25, 2024.
Indie: INFINITY ALCHEMIST by Kacen Callender debuted at #7 on February 14, 2024. WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé debuted at #5 on March 27, 2024.
Awards/Honors
- The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens was awarded to EVERYONE’S THINKING IT by Aleema Omotoni.
- The 2023 LA Times Book Prize Young Adult Literature honorees were announced and include FORGIVE ME NOT by Jennifer Baker, INVISIBLE SON by Kim Johnson, & GONE WOLF by Amber Mcbride.
- YALSA announced the 2024 Best Fiction for Young Adults honorees. They include THEIR VICIOUS GAMES by Joelle Wellington, AS YOU WALK ON BY by Julian Winters, CHAOS THEORY by Nic Stone, DELICIOUS MONSTERS by Liselle Sambury, FOREVER IS NOW by Mariama Lockington, GONE WOLF by Amber McBride, WE ARE ALL SO GOOD AT SMILING by Amber McrBride, HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE by Talia Hibbert, HOW TO SUCCEED IN WITCHCRAFT by Aislinn Brophy, INVISIBLE SON by Kim Johnson, MILES MORALES SUSPENDED by Jason Reynolds, NIGERIA JONES by Ibi Zoboi, PROMISE BOYS by Nick Brooks, REGGIE AND DELILAH’S YEAR OF FALLING by Elise Bryant, RHYTHM AND MUSE by India Hill Brown, & WE DESERVE MONUMENTS by Jas Hammonds.
Buzz – Starred Reviews
- Booklist: ICARUS by Kayla Ancrum
- Kirkus: DRAGONFRUIT by Makiia Lucier, KING OF DEAD THINGS by Nevin Holness, SAINT-SEDUCING GOLD by Brittany N. Williams, THIRSTY by Jas Hammonds, LOUDER THAN WORDS by Ashley Woodfolk & Lexi Underwood, THE COLOR OF A LIE by Kim Johnson, SLEEP LIKE DEATH by Kalynn Bayron
- Publishers Weekly: ICARUS by Kayla Ancrum, THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE Edited by Desiree S. Evans & Saraciea J. Fennell, THIRSTY by Jas Hammonds, THE COLOR OF A LIE by Kim Johnson
- The Horn Book: BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS by Renée Watson
General Updates
- The fantasy novel in verse, (S)kin by Ibi Zoboi has been moved from Fall 2024 to Winter 2025.
- The Thread documentary series released an episode starring Author, Jason Reynolds. You can watch the half hour episode on YouTube.
- The 2024 Barnes & Noble Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards shortlist includes THEIR VICIOUS GAMES by Joelle Wellington & THIEVES’ GAMBIT by Kayvion Lewis.
- BookRiot published Black Speculative YA Books to Liven Up Your Bookshelves.
- Epic Reads published 27 Incredible Books to Read When You Need a Dose of Black Girl Magic, 26 YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books by Black Authors, and 25 Incredible YA Books Celebrating Black Love.
- Author, Ashley Woodfolk welcomed her daughter, Nadia Rue into the world. Congratulations!
- Many authors are contributing rewards for the KidLit4Ceasefire Fundraiser which ends April 22, 2024.
Podcasts
- Minorities in Publishing
- Renée Watson – February 14, 2024
April 2024 Releases
April 2, 2024
Something Kindred by Ciera Burch
Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
The Black Girl Survives in This One Edited by Desiree S. Evans & Saraciea J. Fennell
Fate Be Changed: A Twisted Tale by Farrah Rochon
April 9, 2024
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
April 16, 2024
King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness
How Do I Draw These Memories? by Jonell Joshua
The Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley
April 23, 2024
Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker
Saint-Seducing Gold by Brittany N. Williams
April 30, 2024
The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
Prom Babies by Kekla Magoon
Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather
Happy reading!
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