Books
Publishing, authors, literary prizes, and book-market trends.
Bournemouth University student wins Orwell Award
Bournemouth University says student Katie O’Donnell has won the Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalist’s Award 2026 in the Reviews category, becoming the first BU student to win an Orwell award.
J.P. Morgan unveils 2026 Summer Reading List and NextList series
J.P. Morgan released its 2026 Summer Reading List, its 27th annual edition, with 14 titles spanning leadership, AI, geopolitics, performance and longevity. The bank also brought back its NextList Summer Series for a second year.
Storm Publishing expands into German and Spanish with in-house translation initiative
Storm Publishing plans to launch its first German and Spanish editions in the second half of 2026, adding in-house translation to its growing international expansion.
Publishers saw small sales gains in Q1
AAP StatShot data showed U.S. publisher revenue rose 0.9% in the first quarter of 2026 to about $2.9 billion, with gains in children’s/YA, professional, university press and education categories offset by declines in adult books and religion.
Clare Wright wins top prize at NSW Literary Awards
Clare Wright’s Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions has won Book of the Year and the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction at the 2026 NSW Literary Awards, according to the State Library of NSW and ABC News.
Strokestown poetry prize shortlist revealed
The 2026 Strokestown International Poetry Competition shortlist has been announced, with five poets in contention for the prize.
Book Deals: Week of April 6, 2026
Publishers Weekly’s April 3 rights roundup highlights several book deals, including Kensington’s move on Melissa K. Roehrich’s series, Spiegel & Grau’s deal for Hannah Morrish and Mira’s preempt of Brooke Shaden’s debut duology.