On the Books: Allison Winn Scotch to self-publish fifth novel
EW has learned exclusively that Time of My Life author Allison Winn Scotch’s first venture into self-publishing comes with her fifth novel The Theory of Opposites, cover art above. “The book industry is constantly changing, and at this time in my professional life, I’m committed to taking greater risks,” Scotch said in a statement. “I won’t deny that it’s overwhelming to venture out on my own, away from the power of publishing houses, but the knowledge gained in being involved in every step of the process is rewarding.” The book, about a woman’s journey to end her self-doubt by taking a two-month break from her husband and finding herself, has also been picked up by Jennifer Garner’s production company Vandalia Films to produce a film adaptation, according to a press release.
Read on for more top books headlines:
Actress Kate Mulgrew (Orange is the New Black) will be writing a memoir to be published by Little, Brown and Company in May 2015. According to the press release, the memoir will cover “Mulgrew’s search for the daughter she gave up for adoption and the costs and rewards of a passionate life.”
Claire Vaye Watkins won the Dylan Thomas Prize for her debut story collection Battleborn. The prize, awarded to writers under 30, is worth ￡30,000. [BBC News]
Meet Buzzfeed’s new books editor: Isaac Fitzgerald, formerly of McSweeney’s, who announced he won’t publish negative reviews. “Why waste breath talking smack about something?” he told Poynter. [Poynter]
Also meet Antarctica’s new poet in residence: Jynne Dilling Martin, Poet and Riverhead Books publicity director. Martin won a National Science Foundation grant and will live at the McMurdo research station with scientists for six weeks. [Fast Company]
ICYMI: Amazon released its 10 best books of 2013. [EW]
J.J. Abrams’ new book S is topping sales charts, but getting rejected at libraries because it contains too many loose items — postcards, newspaper clippings, and the like — that are easily removed from its pages. [The Telegraph]
Comic Arts Brooklyn, a new festival of indie comics creators, will be held this weekend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Here’s a preview. [Publishers Weekly]
And finally, a must read: Francoise Mouly and Mina Kaneko explore what it means to be a graphic novelist. [New Yorker]