The world of publishing and bookselling continues on its unique and tumultuous path throughout March and April this year. While international expansion from some quarters heralds great things, and diverse voices get their just rewards for excellence, book bans and US tariffs cause confusion and distress in the industries.
No matter what types of challenges the world of reading, writing, and publishing face, however, there are many people willing to stand up for access to the fiction, non-fiction, poems, and more that allow people to share and understand each other and the world around them.
To catch up on earlier book publishing news, be sure to read our January and February recaps as well.
- London Book Fair Grows to Over 1000 Exhibitors
- Books Exempt From US Tariffs (Maybe)
- Florida Book Banning Bill Formally Opposed
- International Booker Prize Shortlist Announcement
- Amazon Places Julia Summerfield in a Worldwide Post
- PEN America’s Festival Returns for 2025
London Book Fair Grows to Over 1000 Exhibitors
In early March, the popular London Book Fair opened its doors to a diverse range of experts and interested people in the publishing and bookselling industries. Despite having a 10% increase in exhibitors, the fair still claimed only part of the first floor in the venue. Attendees claimed it felt a bit more cramped than in the past, but around 30,000 people still came, saw, and experienced all it had to offer.
Some past controversy over funding source investments, most things associated with the popular event went smoothly. Some of the highlights included a focus on romance with Tess Sharpe and Rebecca Yarros, more book-to-screen adaptations like Thursday Murder Club, and Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming biography.
Books Exempt From US Tariffs (Maybe)
Amidst the upheaval currently going on in the United States, specifically related to questionable trade decisions and tariffs, the book-selling industry found a spark of hope. Printed books appear to be on the list of exemptions, which would make importing them similar to how it was done in the past. However, as related things, such as wood pulp to make the paper that the books require, are not exempt, the industry expects prices to rise anyway.
This appears to align with the general principles of free speech. However, combined with the current attack on books and education in general, and more specifically those that represent diverse voices and empathetic ideals, the industry is not breathing a sigh of relief yet.
Florida Book Banning Bill Formally Opposed
In April this year, formal opposition from a large group of literary organizations was declared against Florida’s highly controversial House Bill 1539. Among other things actually beneficial to children, such as providing non-dairy milk alternatives in school and actions against human trafficking, the powers that be added something decidedly unhelpful: book bans.
The language used in the bill refers to anything “harmful to minors” and more specifically adult pornographic material. The problem is that the language is very vague and has been used in the past to ban books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, which obviously have literary merit. Anti-censorship groups and stakeholders in FL education itself have officially come together to oppose the bill on the grounds that it would restrict students’ access to important works from diverse and unique voices.
International Booker Prize Shortlist Announcement
The well-known and respected International Booker Prize announced its shortlist of finalists in early April this year. As always, this covers a unique blend of books that have been translated from their original language into English. This year, they include:
- On the Calculation of Volume 1 by Solvej Balle – Originally self-published, this story chronicles a bookseller stuck in a Groundhog Day-esque repeating day.
- Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix – This harrowing tale of a disastrous attempt by migrants to cross the English Channel is told from the perspective of a French coastguard member who didn’t heed their calls for help.
- Under the Eye of Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami – Combining science fiction and dystopian themes, this book sparks serious questions about human strength and frailty.
- Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico – This book addresses the faux reality presented by social media and how it affects a couple struggling for an authentic life.
- Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq – A collection of short stories tells the sometimes humorous and sometimes harrowing truths of Muslim women in India.
- A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre – This is an exploration of a difficult friendship mixed with psychological illness and the struggles of time.
Amazon Places Julia Summerfield in a Worldwide Post
The US branch of Amazon Publishing has been Julia Summerfield’s domain in the past. She’s worked with the major online retailer for nearly a decade. Since March of 2025, she has become the worldwide publisher as well. In this role, she’ll work with European Union and United Kingdom offices. This change comes on the heels of Eoin Purcell’s departure. Some of her past triumphs include the Amazon Original Stories business.
Now as an international force behind the giant publisher, she intends to expand rights sales, improve readership around the world, and push successful US programs into other markets. Some of these efforts will combine with Amazon Studios to offer both print and ebook options as well as audio books to eager audiences.
PEN America’s Festival Returns for 2025
After skipping 2024 due to protests over the organization’s Gaza war response, PEN America’s World Voices Festival will take place in 2025. The announcement made earlier this year reveals the start date as April 30th. The cancellation last year surprised many people, as it happened just one week before the scheduled time. However, with so many authors withdrawing their support, PEN did not have much choice.
After former CEO Suzanne Nossel stepped down last year, some of the support for the organization returned. They also promised to investigate business operations, support, and their public impression through the past several years and how they will act going forward. Interim CEO Summer Lopez stated, “Our work is not done,” when it came to repairing the damages caused by their response to the war. Time will tell how the World Voices and future events go for the organization.
