As a writer, staying up on current events and trending news can help you navigate the publishing landscape and plan a career that aligns to your dreams. Here’s this week’s look on what’s happening in publishing news.

South Arts Unveils Aid for Hurricane-Affected Creatives

South Arts, a dedicated nonprofit organization, is launching an emergency relief fund to support artists affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. This fund will offer essential help to artists across six southern states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Grants begin at $500 and are open to artists in fields such as craft, literature, media/film, performing arts, traditional/folk arts, and visual arts. To qualify, applicants need to be over 18 and actively working in their art form. The selection process is designed to ensure a diverse range of recipients from various backgrounds and artistic disciplines. Beyond immediate financial assistance, South Arts is also planning to provide additional support to address the longer-term challenges that the arts and culture sector will encounter during disaster recovery.

Heights Press Debuts with Must-Read Series for Kids

OverDrive has just unveiled Heights Press, an exciting new imprint designed to bring exclusive content straight to schools and libraries. Their debut release, the Hickory Hollow series, introduced six captivating books for middle-grade readers on October 21, 2024. Available only on OverDrive’s Libby, Sora, and Kanopy Kids platforms, these books come in e-book, audiobook, and streaming formats, making it easier than ever for young readers to dive into engaging stories. Inspired by Cleveland Heights, Ohio—OverDrive CEO Steve Potash’s hometown—Heights Press has big plans for the future. With more titles on the way for readers of all ages, they’re on a mission to spark a lifelong love of reading while championing library resources with exclusive digital content.

The Black List Expands: Now Accepting Unpublished Fiction!

The Black List, renowned for spotlighting unproduced screenplays, is now venturing into the literary world by accepting unpublished fiction manuscripts. This expansion aims to connect emerging authors with industry professionals, offering a new platform for undiscovered literary talent. Writers can submit their manuscripts through The Black List’s website, where they will be evaluated and made accessible to publishers and agents seeking fresh voices. This initiative opens up exciting opportunities for aspiring authors to have their work recognized and potentially published.

Dutch Publisher VBK Sparks Debate with AI Translations

Veen Bosch & Keuning (VBK), the largest publisher in the Netherlands is sparking debate regarding their experimental endeavor that will use artificial intelligence to translate a select number of commercial fiction titles into English. This trial involves fewer than ten books, all of which are commercial fiction works without existing English rights or prospects for such sales. The process includes an editing phase, and authors have been consulted for permission. VBK emphasizes that AI will assist in translation, with human oversight ensuring quality. However, some translators express concerns, suggesting that relying on AI for commercial fiction may undervalue the creative elements of these works.