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The Report: May 18, 2026
In this edition of The Report, we meet a dog who redefines what it means to be brave; an author revisits her childhood in Alexandria via fiction; and we savor first lines from our four BookLife Prize finalists.
New and Noteworthy
Story Image Behind the Story: 'Hank the Brave'
An author chats about the dog that inspired her picture book Hank the Brave. more
Story Image First Lines from the Finalists
In this edition of our "First Lines" feature, we highlight the openers from our four BookLife Prize Nonfiction finalists. more
Story Image Behind the Story: 'The Girls from Alexandria'
Memories from a vibrant childhood inform Carol Cooper's evocative novel. more
Story Image ALA Preview Issue Expands to BookLife
ALA Annual is the largest library show of the year. We are offering the opportunity to feature your title on the front cover or the back cover of the BookLife section of the ALA preview issue of Publishers Weekly. more
BookLife Opportunities
  • Call for Submissions: Indie Spotlight: Our June Indie Spotlight will feature mystery, thriller, and true crime! To submit your book, email booklife@booklife.com with the subject line: "Indie Spotlight: Mystery, Thriller, True Crime." Include your book name, author name, and a personal statement (written in first-person).
  • Free BookLife Editorial Features for Indie Authors: Standing out isn’t easy for self-published authors. BookLife’s editorial features provide visibility and credibility—at no cost. Check out the opportunities!
  • Write for BookLife!: We're currently looking for pitches from the BookLife community concerning craft, self-publishing, marketing, and other editorial topics. With the subject line "BookLife Pitch," please write to booklife@booklife.com with your article idea and a brief bio.
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From the Shelves: BookLife Titles on Our Radar
  • 'A New Chapter at Midnight' by E.W. Andersen: Andersen follows Booked at Midnight with this magically laced story of family legacy, honesty, and the risk that comes with letting people you love fully into your life.
  • 'The Bird Caper' by Pannell & Sigfusson: Blending everyday coming-of-age challenges with an entertaining mystery plot, Pannell and Sigfusson launch their lively middle grade series, The Crow’s Tales, by upending the routine of nine-year-old bird lover Brandon Woodberry.
BookLife Prize Fiction 2026

The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.

The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

The Extraordinary Dreams of Cynthia Peabody by Lynne Marshall

Silhouettes of Time by Dr. Maya Mitra Das

Seed to a Flame: From the Seed of Faith to a Rising Flame of Divine Love by Abe Kosh

Life On the Ohio Frontier: A Collection of Letters From Mary Lott to Deacon John Phillips, 1826-1846 by Jacqueline Miller Bachar

Top Dog by Kris Hoover

The Von Chronicles: Forbidden by M.C. Jones

Tales of Strange Worlds and Twisted Fates by Michael Timpani

Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.

Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: mburnett@publishersweekly.com
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