Publishing spinoff of ‘Wednesday’ has everything from tarot cards to ‘Woeful Waffles’

NEW YORK — Penguin Random House is teaming with Amazon MGM Studios on a series of books based on “Wednesday,” the Emmy-winning hit about young Wednesday Addams of Addams Family fame. The publisher announced Wednesday (of course) that the series will debut this summer, with upcoming releases including an all-ages coloring book, a young adult … Read more

Rom-com author Emily Henry knows the secret to having a healthy relationship with love

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — “Nothing forces you to face your demons like falling in love.” And it’s almost always worth it, Emily Henry says during a recent interview ahead of Tuesday’s release of her latest novel, “Funny Story.” She would know, having churned out a new bestselling romance read every year since … Read more

Writer Leonardo Padura chronicles life in Cuba as his detective ‘alter ego’ solves gripping crimes

HAVANA — His novels recount gruesome murders, thefts, scams, bribes and humiliating secrets. But those are not even the most important themes in the stories told by award-winning Cuban writer Leonardo Padura. For the last four decades, Padura, 68, has managed to turn his series of detective thrillers into a social and political chronicle of … Read more

PEN America calls off awards ceremony amid criticism over its response to Israel-Hamas war

NEW YORK — Facing widespread unhappiness over its response to the Israel-Hamas war, the writers’ group PEN America has called off its annual awards ceremony. Dozens of nominees had dropped out of the event, which was to have taken place next week. PEN, a literary and free expression organization, hands out hundreds of thousands of … Read more

Faith Ringgold, pioneering Black quilt artist and author, dies at 93

NEW YORK — Faith Ringgold, an award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling, has died. She was 93. The artist’s assistant, Grace Matthews, told The Associated Press that Ringgold died Friday night at her home … Read more

Learn more about O.J. Simpson: The TV, movies, books and podcasts about the trial of the century

NEW YORK — The story of O.J. Simpson’s life was inherently cinematic — what started as fodder for a triumphant sports biopic abruptly became something much darker and complex as Simpson slid from fame to infamy following the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. It’s little wonder then that Simpson’s many-chaptered life — … Read more

Several writers decline recognition from PEN America in protest over its Israel-Hamas war stance

NEW YORK — Several authors have turned down awards and awards nominations from PEN America, citing unhappiness with the literary and free expression organization’s stance on the war in Gaza. This week, PEN announced its long lists in categories ranging from the $75,000 Jean Stein Award for best book to the $10,000 PEN/Hemingway award for … Read more

Posthumous memoir by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to be published Oct. 22

NEW YORK — A memoir Alexei Navalny began working on in 2020 will be published this fall. “Patriot,” which publisher Alfred A. Knopf is calling the late Russian opposition leader’s “final letter to the world,” will come out Oct. 22. Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said in a statement released Thursday by the publisher, “This book … Read more

10 emerging writers each receive $50,000 Whiting Awards

NEW YORK — Fiction writer Aaliyah Bilal, a National Book Award finalist last fall for her story collection “Temple Folk,” is among 10 winners of the Whiting Award for emerging authors. Bilal and the other recipients, who include fellow fiction writers Yoon Choi, Gothataone Moeng and Ada Zhang, will each be given $50,000. On Wednesday, … Read more

Marisha Pessl’s ‘Darkly,’ her first novel in six years, to come out Nov. 12

Marisha Pessl’s first novel in six years is a psychological thriller with the kinds of intricate clues and connections she has been known for since her acclaimed debut, “Special Topics in Calamity Physics.” NEW YORK — Marisha Pessl’s first novel in six years is a psychological thriller with the kinds of intricate clues and connections … Read more