Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 2d

Helene Atwan and team have launched Viva la Book Review, a nonprofit dedicated to reviving thoughtful, paid book criticism in local media outlets across the U.S.

Read more: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#PublishingNews #BookReviews #BookCriticism #Bookstagram #PublishingIndustry

New Organization Hopes to Boost Book Reviews

With fewer outlets publishing book criticism, the founders of Viva la Book Review hope to match reviews—and reviewers—with local media.

www.publishersweekly.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 3d

A U.S.-based joint venture (with Oracle, Silverlake, & more) will take control of TikTok, retrain its algorithm on U.S. data, and keep the app alive for 170M users.

👉 Read More: www.npr.org/2025/09/22/n...

#TikTokNews #PublishingIndustry #BookTok #DigitalPublishing #BookishNews #MarketingTrends

Deal for TikTok creates U.S. joint venture, and government won't have a stake

The U.S. will get a copy of TikTok's prized content recommendation algorithm, and that the tech company Oracle will provide security.

www.npr.org

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 4d

Novel November is back to help you hit 50,000 words in 30 days—with tools that track your progress wherever you write.

Sign up for free: prowritingaid.com/novel-november

#WritingChallenge #AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #NaNoWriMo #AuthorLife #IndieAuthors #BookCommunity #WritingGoals #WIP

Novel November: A 30 Day Writing Challenge

Join the only writing challenge that takes you from blank page to first draft in just one month with the help of bestselling authors.

prowritingaid.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 6d

Bookshop.org has officially launched e-book sales in the U.K., giving readers a new way to buy digital books and support local bookstores.

Read More: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#PublishingNews #BookshopOrg #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #BookTok #BookCommunity #PublishingLife

Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.

An online bookstore that financially supports local independent bookstores and gives back to the book community.

Bookshop.org

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 9d

Reading Rainbow is returning, with all new episodes! Are you ready? Premieres Oct. 4 on KidZuko

Read more: people.com/reading-rain...

#ReadingRainbowReturns #BookTok #BookCommunity #KidLit #StorytimeMagic #ReadersOfInstagram #PublishingNews #BooksBringUsTogether #BookishNews2025

Reading Rainbow Returns With New Host and Celebrity Guest Stars

Reading Rainbow is back after almost 20 years! The beloved children's TV program — which ran for 26 years before wrapping in 2006 — is celebrated for fostering childhood reading and literacy.

people.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 10d

Publishing News Update!

The big ReaderLink and Baker & Taylor deal? It’s off the table. For now, they’ll continue operating separately.

Read More: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#PublishingNews #BookIndustry #ReadersLife #BookBusiness #PublishingWorld #LibraryLove #BookCommunity

ReaderLink, B&T Call Off Deal

In a joint statement issued Friday afternoon, ReaderLink and Baker & Taylor announced they have “mutually” agreed to terminate ReaderLink’s proposed acquisition of the troubled library wholesaler.

www.publishersweekly.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 11d

Today, on Podcast Episodes We Loved, we’re featuring the The Alliance of Independent Authors episode “Unlocking TikTok—the Slideshow Strategy for Authors” with Dale L. Roberts and Marvin Wey.

Learn more: selfpublishingadvice.org/slideshow-st...

#AuthorMarketing #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthors

Audio Interview: Unlocking TikTok—the Slideshow Strategy for Authors with Dale L. Roberts and Marvin Wey

TikTok for authors, slideshow strategy, book marketing, author engagement, social media promotion, Dale L. Roberts and Marvin Wey

selfpublishingadvice.org

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 13d

The government shutdown is here hitting libraries across the nation. From paused federal programs to potential agency closures, the ripple effects are real.

Read more: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc...

#Libraries #LibraryWorkers #GovernmentShutdown #PublishingNews #BookCommunity

How the 2025 Government Shutdown Will Impact Libraries | American Libraries Magazine

The federal government shutdown, which begins today, will have cascading effects across the nation and our economy.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 16d

BookTok has completely reshaped publishing.

We think it’s done something amazing: reaching non-readers, making books feel easy and fun and giving a voice to minority authors who might otherwise go unheard.

Read more: theweek.com/culture-life...

#Romantasy #ReadersOfInstagram #FutureOfPublishing

BookTok is reviving publishing – but at what cost?

Social media recommendations are boosting book sales but critics give the trend mixed reviews

theweek.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 17d

The publishing world is at a crossroads: AI is changing how books are written, researched, and even negotiated, but where do we draw the line?

Read more: www.ft.com/content/44d5...

#PublishingIndustry #BookNews #AIandBooks #FutureOfPublishing #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCommunity #PublishingLife

Publishing grapples with where to draw the line on AI

FT and Schroders launch Business Book of the Year Award as industry debates new technology

www.ft.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 18d

Don’t assume your publisher registered your copyright. Check for yourself.
Many writers are finding that publishers skipped this crucial step—even when contracts said otherwise. Read more: writerbeware.blog/2025/08/29/i...

#AuthorTips #WriterBeware #AmWriting #IndieAuthor #WritersOfInstagram

If Your Publisher Promised to Register Your Copyright, Check Your Registration Now - Writer Beware

NOTE: This post has been updated to clarify that the five-year post-publication window for copyright registration is a limit on benefits (beyond five years, registration is no longer presumed to provi...

writerbeware.blog

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 19d

Kansas City libraries are proving books really do feed the soul and the community. Through the “Food for Fines” program, overdue fees can be paid with nonperishable food.

👉 Read more: www.kctv5.com/2025/09/08/o...

#LibrariesOfInstagram #BookCommunity #LibraryLove #KansasCity #CommunityStrong

Overdue library fines help feed families in the Kansas City metro

The ‘Food for Fines’ program gives readers the option of paying off their library fees with donations of nonperishable food items.

www.kctv5.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 20d

Meet Alexandra Alter, publishing reporter at The New York Times, who’s always on the hunt for the next Harry Potter-level phenomenon.

Read More 👉 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/i...

#PublishingIndustry #BookNews #BehindTheBooks #BookTok #ReadersOfInstagram #PublishingLife #Bookish

A Reporter Who Looks for the Books That Make You Tick

www.nytimes.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 24d

Make sure readers find your book. You can have the most beautifully crafted, strong story, but if no one knows your book exists, then how can your gifts be seen?

Read more: janefriedman.com/3-publicity-...

#BookPublicity #BookMarketing #PublishingTips #WritersOfInstagram #BookCommunity

3 Publicity Mistakes Debut Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them) | Jane Friedman

It’s hard to execute book publicity perfectly the first time around, but there’s a lot you can do to give your project the best shot at visibility.

janefriedman.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · 27d

Cardigans, miracles, and clichés—oh my! 😍📚 McSweeney’s just dropped a delightful list of collective nouns for librarians, and it’s the cozy chaos we didn’t know we needed.

Read more: www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/col...

#LibraryHumor #LibrarianLife #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCommunity #Shelfie

Collective Nouns for Librarians

A group of librarians is called a cardigan. A collection of empty chairs is called an author reading. A collection of Eric Carle books covered in s...

www.mcsweeneys.net

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 19

A new NAEP report shows that 12th grade reading skills have hit their lowest level since 1992, with experts linking the decline to pandemic disruptions and rising screen time. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/u...

#PublishingIndustry #BookPublishing #Bookstagram #LiteracyMatters #Publishing

Reading Skills of 12th Graders Hit a New Low

www.nytimes.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 17

Middle grade may be in a tough spot—but it’s far from finished. Agents are adapting and finding creative ways to reach young readers.

Read more: publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensLit #BookPublishing #ReadToGrow #KidLit #DiverseBooks #BookCommunity #PublishingIndustry

Middle Grade Is Down but Never Out

We asked children’s book agents about trends they are seeing in the category, and how they persevere in a tough market.

publishersweekly.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 16

For the first time, Kindle Unlimited ebooks can now be distributed to libraries, without breaking exclusivity.

Read More: newshelves.com/kindle-unlim...

#KindleUnlimited #SelfPublishing #DigitalPublishing #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #Libraries #WritingCommunity #Bookstagram

Kindle Unlimited Authors Can Now Distribute eBooks to Libraries - New Shelves Books

Amazon has updated KDP Select: Kindle Unlimited authors can now distribute ebooks to libraries without breaking exclusivity.

newshelves.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 15

Big news! Judge William Alsup has delayed preliminary approval of Anthropic’s proposed $1.5 billion copyright settlement over AI book training.

Read more: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#Copyright #PublishingNews #AIinPublishing #BookPublishing #WritersLife #IndieAuthors #Bookstagram

Judge Delays Preliminary Approval in Anthropic Copyright Settlement

Expressing various concerns about parts of the $1.5 billion agreement, Judge William Alsup postponed giving preliminary approval to the settlement until September 25.

www.publishersweekly.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 12

Spotify’s new Follow Along feature blends audio with custom visuals and music, turning listening into a fully immersive experience.

Read more: www.fastcompany.com/91383062/spo...

#Audiobooks #Spotify #FollowAlong #DigitalReading #BookTech #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #FutureOfPublishing

Spotify just redesigned the way you'll 'listen' to audiobooks

With 'Follow Along,' the streaming giant adds image and music to its audiobook oeuvre.

www.fastcompany.com

New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 11

Tiny Bookshop, a new cozy narrative management game, lets players stock shelves, decorate, and charm customers in the idyllic town of Bookstonbury-by-the-Sea.

Read More: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

#TinyBookshop #Booksellers #BookishLife #IndieGames #Bookstagram #PublishingNews

New Video Game, ‘Tiny Bookshop,’ Has Booksellers Talking (and Playing)

The new “cozy narrative management” video game from independent studio Skystone Games lets gamers become booksellers and score points for performing tasks. Real-life booksellers give it positive revie...

www.publishersweekly.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 9

Kristy Cambron, bestselling author and former literary agent, shares five business tips to help writers get closer to bestseller status from the start. Read more: shewrites.com/business-tip...

#WritingTips #WriterLife #BookPublishing #AuthorAdvice #IndieAuthors #WritingCommunity #WriterMotivation

Five Quick-hit Business Tips to Get Writers Closer to Bestseller Status from the Start with Kristy Cambron | She Writes

Kristy Cambron is a bestselling author and former Vice President [...]

shewrites.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 8

Writers relying on Substack are in a system where “success” is defined by the platform. Substack loyalty is to investors, not writers. Read More: speterdavis.substack.com/p/substack-i...

#Substack #PublishingNews #WritingCommunity #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #IndiePublishing #DigitalPublishing

Substack Is Your Boss, and He's Dissatisfied With Your Performance

Enshittification has arrived, inevitably, and on schedule

speterdavis.substack.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 5

OpenAI is opening up and sharing two of its powerful AI models for free. While these models aren’t quite their top-tier ones, they’re still among the best out there.

Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/t...

#TechNews #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #Innovation #FutureTech

OpenAI to Give Away Some of the Technology That Powers ChatGPT

www.nytimes.com

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New Shelves Books @newshelvesbooks.bsky.social · Sep 4

Teens across the U.S. will soon be able to access banned books through Long Beach Public Library’s e-book collection—helping young readers everywhere fight censorship and keep the freedom to read alive.

Learn More: lbpost.com/news/educati...

#BannedBooks #LibraryLove #YoungReaders #BookCommunity

Long Beach will open up its e-book library so teens from other states can read banned books

It's part of a nationwide push to let young people access reading material that may have been thrown out of their local libraries and schools.

lbpost.com