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what's lit

Sourcebooks, Ebony Publishing Partner to Distribute Books by Black Authors

Indie publisher Sourcebooks has teamed up with Ebony Magazine Publishing of the renowned Black media brand to produce adult fiction and nonfiction books.

Together, Sourcebooks and Ebony plan to publish four to eight books a year, first starting with Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments by photographer Carell Augustus. The photography book will come out in October and feature images of Black actors from Vanessa L. Williams as Cleopatra to Vivica A. Fox as Veronica Lake. Upcoming fiction includes the first book in the crime thriller Martyr Maker series originally self-published by actor Eriq La Salle.

“It’s wonderful to partner with the forward-thinking team at Sourcebooks,” said Lavaille Lavette, president and publisher of Ebony Magazine Publishing, in a statement. “This collaboration with our flagship imprint Ebony Magazine Publishing will celebrate the broad spectrum of Black voices through powerful fiction and nonfiction stories with authors who represent and speak to the full spectrum of our culture.”

Ebony’s publishing arm focuses on stories in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, culture, and children’s literature through its imprints Ebony Classics, Ebony 2.0., Ebony Voices, and Ebony Jr. It’s also home to the Ebony Book Club.

Helmed by CEO and publisher Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks is one of the largest woman-owned publishers based in the Chicago area that specializes in young adult, fantasy, mystery and crime, thriller and suspense, diverse literature, LGBTQ+ literature, and children’s literature.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with EBONY to showcase the extraordinary work of Black authors and celebrate Black stories,” Dominique said in the statement. “Books change lives, and Ebony Magazine Publishing will be life-changing for authors and readers alike.”

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what's lit

‘The Perfect Find’ Lands New Home at Grand Central Publishing

Originally released under an indie publisher, best-selling author Tia Williams’ novel The Perfect Find is being re-released via Grand Central Publishing.

The top publisher released Tia’s latest novel Seven Days in June this summer. The book made The New York Times Best Sellers list and became Reese’s Book Club’s June selection.

Published in 2016, The Perfect Find came out under Brown Girls Books managed by authors ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Victoria Christopher Murray. Victoria currently has a NY Times best-seller out now called The Personal Librarian co-authored by Marie Benedict. On its website, the publisher says it’s not currently accepting submissions.

Tia’s book will be turned into an upcoming Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union, Gina Torres, La La Anthony, and Aisha Hinds. Announcing production wrapped last month on Instagram, Gabrielle also serves as a producer as she starts her own book tour for her second memoir You Got Anything Stronger? this month. In her Instagram post on Wednesday, Tia revealed the film is expected to be available for streaming next spring.

The new version of The Perfect Find will be on bookshelves Sept. 14, according to the author’s post.

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what's lit

‘Black Girls Must Die Exhausted’ Sees New Release With Harper Perennial

A HarperCollins Publishers imprint is breathing new life into an independent book that became a hit via word of mouth.

Jayne Allen calls her book, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, “chocolate chick lit with a conscience.” Originally published in 2018 with indie publisher Quality Black Books, the book is now under the Harper Perennial umbrella with a new release today.

The book became an internet sensation especially among Black female readers and their book clubs.
 
“I want you to know this story because it is truly our story,” the author wrote in an Instagram post in February announcing the new edition. She continues her post with adding what she has heard from readers over the years.

Together, we made change happen in the publishing industry and hand-in-hand, we’ll keep the tides of progress rolling in. You took a risk on a little independent project with a funny title. You read in bookclubs, in bathtubs and in bed, on subways and on sofas. You have written hundreds of reviews and spread the word through gorgeous posts and generous words. You gave this life.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted revolves around a 30-something Black female TV reporter in Los Angeles struggling with her dating life while yearning for a baby as her biological clock ticks. She realizes her friends are in the same boat. The she lit book review is here from the original publishing. The book may be different with the new publisher.

The former version of the book will be retired as Harper Perennial plans to release the next two books in the series in 2022, according to the author.