The Raven Cycle author Maggie Stiefvater hit a career highlight this week when a fan brought a live raven to one of her readings! We can only hope it asked a good question during the Q&A. If you’re looking for publishing news highlights, you’ve come to the right place! Click through and you will find news from Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, and even more best book of the year lists.
- Just in case you forgot 2016 was coming to a merciful close, we have a few more Best Books of the Year lists! First, here’s NPR’s incredible Book Concierge, which will guide you through the year’s book in style, and Elle Magazine gives a fabulous list of books to add to your TBR stack.
- Neil Gaiman is offering a new Humble Bundle of rare collectibles to aid refugees and support freedom of speech.
- Television writers and showrunners are beginning to ban rape as a plot device.
- Here are Mental Floss’ picks for the 31 most interesting comics of the year.
- Airship Ambassador has an in-depth, two-part interview with Nisi Shawl about the alternative history steampunk novel Everfair.
- Over at Alephi, Junot Diaz talks about the book that changed his life.
- First Second has revealed their book covers for 2017! Go check them out, they’re lovely.
- Barnes and Noble suggests a few portal fantasies you might like.
- Over at Paste Magazine, Tobias Carroll moderates a discussion between Pym author Mat Johnson and Legend author Samuel Sattin.
- Seven writers introduce us to their favorite bookstores, while Ann Patchett takes The New York Times behind-the-scenes at her own store, Parnassus Books, before recommending more shops worth a visit.
- And finally, Electric Literature offers a handy guide on when and how to submit your writing to magazines!