Another “American Dirt” Averted — Or Not; Tolkien, Le Carrie,

Why Did 19 Publishers Pass On “Trial”?:

Bestselling author Richard North Patterson couldn’t find a publisher to handle his gripping new suspense novel Trial. Just about everyone agreed it’s a very good novel, but they fear the American Dirt syndrome, and he says they quietly told him white authors can’t write about the Black experience of racism in America. Read on.

Battle for the Ages:

J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate is suing author Demetrious Polychron for allegedly plagiarizing Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books. The Tolkien Trust filed a lawsuit against Polychron over his sequel titled The Fellowship of the King, which references The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King from the original trilogy. The book was published by Fractal Books, where Polychron is listed as the publisher on LinkedIn. However, Fractal’s website is suspended, and the Amazon page for Polychron’s novel is taken down. This legal action by the Tolkien Trust is a response to Polychron’s own lawsuit against the estate. He claims that the trust and Amazon copied elements from his novel for the TV series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and seeks $250 million in damages.

Legendary Actor Turns Author:

At 90 years old, Sir Michael Caine has written his debut thriller novel titled Deadly Game, set to be released Nov. 23. Caine expressed his delight in fulfilling his longtime ambition to write a thriller, stating that it’s the genre he loves most. Published by Hodder and Stoughton, the book follows the story of DCI Harry Taylor, a detective who disregards bureaucracy and political reputations.

Poem Is Out of This World:

Ada Limon, U.S. Poet Laureate, was tasked with writing a poem for NASA’s Europa spacecraft. The 21-line poem, titled In Praise of Mystery: a Poem for Europa, was unveiled at the Library of Congress a year after Limon received the invitation. The free-verse ode will be engraved on the exterior of the Europa Clipper, set to launch in October 2024. The spacecraft will explore Europa’s icy moon and its potential for supporting life. Limon’s poem focuses on the awe-inspiring nature and the shared connection of water between Earth and Europa. She emphasized the unification of space and our planet. Limon, the first Latina U.S. Poet Laureate, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the impact her poem will have on the audience.

On the [H]edge of Your Seat:

The intricate roles of womanhood and motherhood collide in Hedge by Jane Delury, a novel that is full of immersive storytelling and compelling characters and uniquely blends emotional depth with gripping tension.

Stop and Smell the Roses:

John le Carré’s novel, The Constant Gardener, is set to be adapted as a limited series by independent studio The Ink Factory. The book, originally published in 2001, follows a man’s quest to uncover the truth behind his wife’s murder in Kenya. The Ink Factory, known for previous adaptations of le Carré’s works, such as A Most Wanted Man and The Night Manager, will have Lydia Adetunji as the writer for this project. The upcoming adaptation aims to present the story in a contemporary, post-pandemic context, capturing the essence of modern Kenya with its political and energetic backdrop. The Cornwell brothers, CEOs of The Ink Factory, expressed excitement about the adaptation’s relevance in today’s world and its ability to captivate audiences with a bold and beautiful storytelling approach.

Read The Full Article Here