Leah Johnson’s Debut Middle Grade Novel Gets a Cover Reveal
Leah Johnson, author of the Stonewall Honor Book You Should See Me in a Crown, is shifting from YA to middle grade for her next novel Ellie Engle Saves Herself, and Publisher’s Weekly revealed the cover, designed by artist Mirelle Ortega, earlier this week. This book is the first in a planned series and introduces Ellie Engle, a young Black girl coming to terms with her queer crush on her best friend. Then, she discovers she has the power to raise the dead. Ellie Engle Saves Herself is due out from Disney Hyperion in spring 2023.
Neve Campbell to Headline ABC Series Avalon
Neve Campbell is set to star in the upcoming ABC series Avalon, based on a short story by Michael Connelly. The series is created by David E. Kelley and Michael Connelly and was ordered straight-to-series at ABC in February. Campbell will play L.A. Sheriff Department Detective Nicole “Nic” Searcy, who heads up a small office in the main city of Avalon on Catalina Island. Avalon is slated to debut during the 2022-2023 season.
Rick Riordan Gives Update on Disney+’s Percy Jackson Trailer
Disney+’s Percy Jackson, based on the Rick Riordan series, is in its third month of production, and fans are already clamoring for a trailer for the highly anticipated adaptation. In a blog post, Riordan responded to fan inquiries. The author wrote, “Sorry, it is still way, way, way too early for that. We are just in the stage of dailies and ‘rough assemblages’ of the early episodes, which are very much like the first drafts of my novels — I would never share them with anyone because they are not ready for prime time! Maybe for [Percy Jackson’s] birthday next year, it will be a different story, but that’s not a promise.” Percy’s birthday is on August 18th, which means it could be another year before fans see a trailer or clips from the series. Riordan says fans should expect the series to premiere in early 2024.
What’s Going on with Barnes & Noble?
Writers sounded the alarm after learning Barnes & Noble stores would only be stocking hardcovers with proven sales records. Here’s more on what this means.