February 1, 2026

Paying It Forward

Last week, a group of publishing professionals organized an online auction in support of Minnesotans and immigrants impacted by ICE, with hundreds of items and services donated by members of the industry. The American Library Association presented its Youth Media Awards to children’s authors and illustrators including Renée Watson, Cátia Chien, and Cynthia Leitich Smith. Publishing veteran and former Phaidon CEO Bob Miller launched a new venture, Bookswork Press. Simon & Schuster laid off more than a dozen employees, including several high-level editors. And Minneapolis indie bookstores DreamHaven and Comma saw a major bump in sales after videos of their owners resisting ICE went viral.

On January 27, Norton celebrated authors ’Pemi Aguda, Sarah Braunstein, and Oana Aristide, each of whom have books coming from the publisher this summer, at the Modern in Manhattan. In attendance were (from l.) agent Renee Zuckerbrot, Aguda, editor Nneoma Amadiobi, agent Bill Clegg, Braunstein, editor Jill Bialosky, editor Matt Weiland, and Aristide.
(Courtesy W.W. Norton)

Industry Auction to Support Minnesota, Immigrants

Amid ICE’s violent crackdown, two publishing professionals hosted an online auction January 29–30 to benefit nonprofits providing aid to Minnesotans and immigrants. More than 500 items and services were donated by authors, editors, agents, and illustrators. more

Watson, Chien, Smith Win 2026 Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards

The American Library Association announced its Youth Media Awards on January 26. Renée Watson won the John Newbery Medal for All the Blues in the Sky; Cátia Chien won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for Fireworks, written by Matthew Burgess; and Legendary Frybread Drive-In, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, won the Michael L. Printz Award. more

Bob Miller Starts Bookswork Press

Miller, who has departed as CEO of Phaidon after just over a year, envisions his new book and creative development company as a place “to develop ideas into great books.” more

More Job Cuts at S&S

After confirming on Monday that the publisher had made “limited” reductions to its staff, Simon & Schuster made another round of layoffs later in the week. More than a dozen jobs have been cut, mostly on the editorial side. more

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