Down to the Wire

The first hearing in the ALA’s lawsuit to save the Institute of Museum and Library Services was held yesterday, with plaintiffs arguing for the court to issue an emergency restraining order to stave off the impending layoffs of the majority of the agency’s staff, which take effect this weekend. After a tumultuous few weeks, Diamond Comic Distributors says it has reached a deal to sell its assets to Universal and Ad Populum, who made a joint bid for the bankrupt company—but not without a fight from Alliance. For this week’s magazine, we shine a spotlight on the Young Publishers Association, whose robust programming—from mixers to panels to black-tie balls—is creating opportunities for connection among young people in publishing. Speaking of events, don’t forget to subscribe to our handy book biz events calendar, which keeps track of all the industry’s biggest conferences, festivals, awards, and more. Plus, we’ve rounded up all the biggest adult and children’s titles publishing this month. PEN America sounds the alarm over threats to free speech during Trump’s first 100 days in office, and new job market data prompts the Atlantic to raise concerns about AI competing with recent college grads. The first new Gruffalo picture book in 20 years will be published next fall, per the Guardian, which also reports that U.K. parents don’t seem to enjoy reading to their kids all that much. Gothamist wonders if it’s possible to be a working writer or artist in New York City these days. And Andrew Gross, a best-selling author of thrillers, has died at 72.