The Report: April 13, 2026
In this edition of The Report, we examine impactful book covers, a BookLife Prize judge offers his take on memoir writing, and our BookLife Reviews Editor chats about AI-generated review submissions.
New and Noteworthy
Meet the BookLife JudgeAuthor Paul Rousseau, who served as the judge for the Memoir/Autobiography category of the BookLife Prize, discusses the life-altering experience that led him to write his memoir 'Friendly Fire.' more
Book Industry Unites to Back AuthorsWith a growing number of authors facing threats and harassment driven by book bans, three of the nation’s largest publishers and a range of literary organizations have partnered with PEN America to create the U.S. Author Safety Program, which intends to offer trainings, consultations, resources, and peer support. more
Reviewing Books in the Age of AIBookLife Reviews Editor Alan Scherstuhl weighs in on AI-generated submissions. more
BookLife Prize Fiction Contest Is Open!Get your manuscripts ready: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade. Every entry receives a publishable critique from a PW reviewer. more
BookLife Opportunities
- Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our April Indie Spotlight will feature humor and satire. To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Humor." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
- Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
- Write for BookLife!: We're currently looking for pitches from the BookLife community concerning craft, self-publishing, marketing, and other editorial topics. With the subject line "BookLife Pitch," please write to booklife@booklife.com with your article idea and a brief bio.
From the Shelves: BookLife Titles on Our Radar
- 'Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom' by Deborah Santana: “I was discovering the woman beneath the roles, the one who no longer needed to hide her light,” writes Santana of her fierce, transparent journey of self-reinvention
- 'Thoughtload: Manage the Madness and Free Your Team to Do Great Work' by Liane Davey: Davey offers ideas for business leaders to unburden their stress, realign their emotions, and reenergize their passion in this inspiring guide.
 |
The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
 How My Brain Saved My Life Twice: A Memoir by Amy Stacey Curtis |
 Bishop's Pawwn by Mir Bahmanyar |
 Inspirational Cues by Ex_Turpi |
 The Glass Ceiling Chronicles: Payne Construction by Judith A. Perkins |
 Cybersecurity Leadership by Dewayne Hart |
 One Year in Africa by Hans van den Houten |
 The Prodigal by S. K. Keogh |
 Tao of Life and Death A Tale by Stephen McDonough |
 Imber by Deborah Mistina |
 The Seventh Wonder by Andrew Siditsky |
 The Tree of Ticket Leaves by Meredith Good |
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
