Book Winners – Kudos – Industry Changes

GOODREADS HAS ANNOUNCED THE OPENING ROUND OF THEIR ANNUAL GOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS.

The choice is yours. Vote for the best books of the year in the 15th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers.

Vote in the Opening Round

It ends November 26th.

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REMEMBER TO SEND IN YOUR FIRST PAGES. NOVEMBER IS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES TO SUBMIT SINCE MANY PEOPLE FORGET TO ENTER. CLICK HERE GUIDELINES:

BOOK WINNERS:

Hannah Roy LaGrone won TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez

Angie Quantrell won I AM KIND TO MYSELF by Eileen Spinelli

Julia Richardson won DEATH’S DOOR: True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery and Bravery from the Great Lakes’ Most Dangerous Waters by Barbara Joosee

Winners, please send me your addresses.

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KUDOS:

Author-illustrator Ellen Seal’s ANYA’S UNTITLED ART, a story about a girl who is doubting her status as a real artist until a timely surprise at the art museum rekindles her joy, to Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit, in a nice deal, for publication in Summer 2025, by Karly Dizon at Fuse Literary.

Courtney Pippin-Mathur’s DINOSAUR DAYS!, about a dinosaur-loving girl who dresses like a dino, eats like a dino, and roars like a dino; how can she share the dino love with her family without getting in trouble?, illustrated by Pauline Gregory, to Sunita Apte at Reycraft, for publication in spring 2026, by Jennifer Unter at The Unter Agency for the author, and by Robbin Brosterman at The Bright Group for the illustrator.

Rapping teacher Dwayne Reed’s THE POOL IS COOL, about a young son who helps his father overcome his fear of swimming, illustrated by NYT bestselling artist Shamar Knight-Justice, to Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown Children’s, for publication in Summer 2026, by Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic for the author, and by Christy Ewers at The CAT Agency for the illustrator.

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INDUSTRY CHANGES:

Harper Children’s:

Megan Ilnitzki has been promoted to executive editor, reporting to Alyson Day.

HarperCollins Children’s:

Jean McGinley, VP, and associate publisher for children’s, will now oversee the Children’s art department. Amy Ryan, VP, creative director, will now report to McGinley.

High Line Literary:

Victoria Marini and Kimberly Perel formally celebrated the launch of the literary agency High Line Literary Collective, formed in July as part of the transition of senior agents who had worked at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. Also joining are Whitney Ross, Pam Gruber, Amanda Bernardi, Margaret Danko, and Sheyla Knigge.

Harper Via:

Alexa Frank has been promoted to associate editor.

Hay House:

Melody Guy has been promoted to editorial director.

Sourcebooks:

Taylor Geldermann has been promoted to assistant editor.

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Talk tomorrow,

Kathy