Chicken Soup for the Soul Sues AI Firms for Copyright Infringement
In the complaint, the company makes the novel claim that the entire generative AI industry was built on a foundation of pirated books, first downloaded by one OpenAI employee in 2018. Defendants include OpenAI and seven other tech firms. more...Layoffs, Moves at Penguin Young Readers as Dial Imprint Shuttered
Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of PYR, has been closed, resulting in a number of layoffs and moves within the division. more...
Book Output Topped Four Million in 2025
The total number of books published in the U.S. in 2025 jumped 32.5% over 2024, according to statistics compiled by Bowker, led by a boom in self-published titles. The number of traditionally published books released last year rose 6.6%, to 642,242. more...
B&T Makes Surprise Chapter 11 Filing
The closed library wholesaler reported that it owes between $100 million and $500 million and has assets of just $1 million to $10 million. It owes Penguin Random House alone more than $23 million. more...and more.
-
BooksellingThis Week’s Bestsellers: March 23, 2026
Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson is the #1 book in the country. Plus romantasy author Briar Boleyn and Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream offer, respectively, a wing and a prayer.
-
Publisher News
Books, Substack-ified
The literary creator economy has long been a bogeyman for traditional publishing. Is the industry’s fear warranted?
-
Shows & Events
PW Talks with St. Paul Public Library director Maureen Hartman
For its citywide Read Brave book club this year, the St. Paul Public Library chose Romina Garber’s young adult novel Lobizona, about an undocumented Argentinian teen who is hiding from immigration enforcement. SPPL director Maureen Hartman spoke with PW about Read Brave and will present a leadership strategy session at PLA on April 2.
-
Shows & Events
PLA 2026: Program Picks
Participants in the Public Library Association’s Minneapolis meeting will lean into social justice, ethical AI, getting more bang for library bucks, and connections with authors.
-
Shows & Events
PLA 2026: Showing Up
Weeks after federal immigration enforcement upended everyday life in Minneapolis, the Public Library Association brings its biennial convention and librarians’ care for community to the city.
-
Book Deals
Book Deals: Week of March 23, 2026
Berkley scores YA author Karen M. McManus’s adult debuts in a massive two-book deal, Montlake takes Sara Field’s lupine romances, and more.
-
Publisher News
Civics 101: PW Talks with Sanobar Chagani Wilkins
With PLA around the corner, EveryLibrary’s democracy projects coordinator is helping raise levels of civic engagement among librarians and lobbying for access to information.
-
Publisher News
How ‘Surrender’ by Jennifer Acker Got Made
An inside look at the publication process for the author’s latest novel.
-
Publisher News
HarperCollins Union Wins New Contract
Key provisions include pay raises and a new annual increase schedule, putting minimum total compensation at $57,000 in the first year of the contract, as well as workplace protections and some improved benefits.
-
Financial Reporting
Scholastic Has a Soft Third Quarter
Sales fell 2% in the period due to declines in the company’s children’s book publishing and distribution segment, as well as its international segment, which were somewhat offset by higher revenue in its smaller entertainment business.
