 Dear Crime Fiction Publisher, Library Journal will be previewing upcoming 2021 mystery and crime fiction in the March 2021 issue. The focus will be on notable series debuts, stand-alone titles, and first novels being published between April and Oct. 2021. Melissa DeWild, who is writing the article, will also explore the current state of the genre. Among the topics we’re interested in covering: Pandemic Reactions: How are you coping with COVID, working remotely, getting books to libraries and vendors? How is WFH/remotely working for your house, and do you foresee using this going forward? How is the pandemic affecting publishing schedules and promotion?
Are you doing more virtual conferences, book buzzes, etc.? Do you see any differing patterns between library buying/circulation and consumers? Are mysteries/thrillers/suspense filling a COVID need? What are you hearing from editors/publishers? Genre trends: What settings/subgenres are waxing and waning this season? What's so new that it can't yet claim to be a subgenre but has potential to grow? Noteworthy debut authors, series launches, stand-alones: What have you seen in-house or from other publishers that is most original and mind-blowing this season? International crime fiction: What exciting works in translation are you seeing, and from where, and in what subgenres? Own voices: Given the ongoing demand for works by authors from historically marginalized groups, how much of your list is authored by members of those groups, is that number growing, and what are you doing to increase it further? Are there initiatives at your company which can help not only publish those works but make sure they get marketing and sales support and help diversify the in-house staff? What forthcoming titles and authors would you recommend for librarians looking to further increase representation in their collections? Media adaptations: With more crime fiction/mystery titles being adapted for the small screen as well as streaming, is this trend affecting what you publish, or what you see in submissions? Have any of your house’s titles been adapted? Please email the following information: author, title, publication date, imprint if applicable, ISBN, and a brief description—catalog copy will suffice—to Melissa DeWild meldewild@gmail.com and to me, at efrench@mediasourceinc.com. The deadline for submitting information is December 30, 2020. Thank you so much for your help and participation!
All the best,
Liz
Liz French
Senior Editor, Library Journal Reviews
Office: 646-380-0732 Cell: 646-420-4439
efrench@mediasourceinc.com
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