Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements

Author Cormac McCarthy Dies at 89

Cormac McCarthy, © Beowulf Sheehan.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy died on June 13 of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was eighty-nine years old. His death was confirmed by his son, John McCarthy.

McCarthy was one of the world’s most influential and renowned writers, His career spanned nearly six decades and several genres, including fiction and drama. His work has entered the modern canon and won several prestigious literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

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Sarah Weiss, Executive Editor at Ballantine Books, on THE IN-BETWEEN & Working With Tik Tok Star Nurse Hadley

Sarah Weiss

Sara Weiss, Executive Editor, Ballantine Books talks about her experience working with Hadley Vlahos, RN for her debut memoir THE IN-BETWEEN: Unforgettable Encounters During Life’s Final Moments, a heartrending book that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now. In THE IN-BETWEEN, Vlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she’s had with the people she’s worked with—from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her—while also sharing her own fascinating journey. Continue reading →

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Announcements

Meet Matt Rodbard, The Host of the Newly-Rebranded THIS IS TASTE Podcast, on Tinned Fish and the Summer of the Cutlet

Matt Robard

Matt Rodbard is the critically-lauded writer, editor, and author of food and culture books, as well as the host of the newly rebranded This is TASTE podcast. The show continues its culturally-relevant and surprising discussions around food and drink, in addition to expanding beyond to literature, pop culture, media, commerce, and entertainment.

It’s a new name, with the same great taste — and we had the opportunity to ask Matt Rodbard a few questions such as what’s top of mind for the casual, at-home cook and what he looks for in a podcast guest!

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Penguin Random House Takes Home Nearly Half of the James Beard Foundation Book Awards

On June 3, the James Beard Foundation Media Awards were announced during a live ceremony in Chicago. The awards honor the nation’s top food authors, broadcast producers, hosts, journalists, podcasters, and social media content creators.

This year, Penguin Random House titles took home half of the awards in the James Beard Book Award category. A hearty congratulations to our winners and their publishers!

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Labyrinth Road Acquires YA Fantasy Trilogy from Playwright LaDarrion Williams Following Viral Twitter Pitch

Labyrinth Road logo.
LaDarrion Williams, @coryaycockphoto.

Labyrinth Road, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, has acquired a new contemporary YA fantasy trilogy by playwright, filmmaker, and screenwriter LaDarrion Williams, it was announced today by Liesa Abrams, VP & Editor-in-Chief. Pitched by the debut author in a viral tweet as “What if Harry Potter went to a HBCU in the South?” the first title in the series, BLOOD AT THE ROOT, is slated for publication in 2024. Abrams acquired North American rights for three books in a competitive auction from Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary, and will edit the project.

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Announcements

There’s a Book for That: Pride Month

June, 2023 marks the 53rd annual LGBTQ+ Pride tradition. The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan – a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Continue reading →

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My Path to PRH: Becca Dvorak on “Learning in the Flow of Work”

Showing off our PRH Learning Tree at Company Week

Everyone has unique career stories to tell. In our My Path to Penguin Random House series, PRH colleagues share how they entered the world of book publishing, what led them to our company, insights into their jobs, and their future professional aspirations.

This week, we’re featuring Rebecca Dvorak, Director of US & Corporate Learning and Global Talent Projects, as she tells us her story in her own words.

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PRH and WNDB Congratulate Winners of the 30th Annual Creative Writing Awards, Including the Inaugural Winner of the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir

Five exceptional public high school seniors from across the country have been chosen as winners of the 2023 Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, a national grassroots organization that advocates for diversity in children’s literature. This year marks the first time the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir has been presented.

“I am excited to congratulate Madison Corzine from Fort Worth, Texas, for winning the first-ever Michelle Obama Award for Memoir,” said former First Lady Michelle Obama. “It’s not easy to be vulnerable about your life and be open about your experiences with the world. I was moved by Madison’s fearless writing and her willingness to share her light with us. I wish her, and all of this year’s Creative Writing Award winners, the best in college and beyond.”

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Announcements

There’s a Book for That: Mindfulness & Meditation

On this last day of May and Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to remind everyone of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. As the American Psychological Association has noted, mindfulness meditation is a research-proven way to reduce stress and can improve both mental and physical health. You can learn more, begin, or enhance your own practice from the following acclaimed titles published by Penguin Random House: Continue reading →

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