This series highlights reports from the field by film/TV and literary scouts. This month, author turned scout Arianna Reiche shares why she launched Bo-sco and how she finds those ‘hidden gems’ filmmakers may be missing out on.
Too Many Tables, Too Little Progress
With the proliferation of industry groups working in parallel not partnership toward the same goal, there is often very little movement on publishing pain points. In this piece, longtime publishing executive Michael Cairns reflects on his experience, making a case for consolidating publishing’s trade and standards organizations.
RISE Bookselling Conference: Notes from Verona
Last month, the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) hosted the fourth annual international bookselling conference where 300 booksellers from around the world came together for workshops, panels, and presentations. Alex Mutter from Shelf Awareness writes about the importance of bookstores, particularly in the support of the trinity of freedoms.
Supply Dies in Irrelevance
As users stop going to publisher-driven platforms for information and begin asking AI agents to bring those search results to them, the power structure and value proposition of the industry changes. That is the thesis at the heart of this piece by Michael Cairns, originally published on his blog.
The Scouting Report with Philippa Donovan
The first in a new series, this column by film/TV scout Philippa Donovan shares with publishers what they should know about this growing market, including popularity of novellas and short stories, reverse adaptation, and what stories travel.
In the U.S., is BookCon Really Back?
The U.S. consumer book fair hosted in New York City returned after a years-long hiatus to throngs of delighted fans. Publishing professional Sarah Russo attended and shared how this year’s show illustrated a dramatic change from industry-driven to reader-driven.
In Africa, a Thriving Market for Francophone Children’s Books
Once dominated by imported catalogs and a few major publishers, the children’s book sector in Africa is now experiencing a boom, writes Agnès Debiage.
Honey, We Need to Talk: A Frank Conversation With AI About Where Things Stand
On an AI panel at Parix Audio Day in Madrid in February, Ralf Biesemeier noted that he was beginning to become disenchanted with AI. In this original essay, he shares why.
Whose Stories Shape Tomorrow? Introducing the Young Voices Network
At the London Book Fair, Ege Dündar, Turkish author-activist and youngest PEN International board member in the organization’s history, delivered the below speech to highlight the important role of young people around the world to work together against shared challenges.
After Hemingway: How Ukraine Is Redefining War Literature
“A distinctive type of war literature is taking shape in Ukraine, one that rejects the universality of classical war narratives,” writes Yuliya Orlova, CEO of Ukraine’s Vivat Publishing. “It is not about romanticizing war, nor about the aesthetics of suffering. It is about recording a reality the world has no right to ignore.”