DECENT PEOPLE by De'Shawn Charles Winslow continues to receive critical acclaim. The book received a wonderful review from the Historical Novel Society, where reviewer K. M. Sandrick praises: "DECENT PEOPLE instantly connects readers with West Mills in time and place. It resonates, capturing the individual rhythms and sounds as each character speaks in his or her own voice. It engages you, revealing the complexities of each character’s relationships and the choices he or she makes, and draws readers into a community they want to learn more about." Brooks Geiken of The Arts Fuse calls the novel “a hypnotic and politically-tinged tale of deception and murder,” adding: “DECENT PEOPLE is a fine but sad book that tackles tough questions about racism and homophobia.” A review by Robert Hayes for The Wilmington Apple praises: “The author’s fondness for the comfort of a tiny town cocoon, along with his deep knowledge of the harm perpetrated by its lack of privacy, make this brilliant sociological mystery sophomore effort almost as fine as his debut novel, IN WEST MILLS.” A review by D.G. Martin for North Carolina’s Chapelboro writes: “DECENT PEOPLE assures Winslow a place in the pantheon of great Southern writers. Lastly, Winslow was interviewed for Essence, Queerty, and South Florida Gay News. Bloomsbury Publishing published DECENT PEOPLE on January 17, 2023.

WE ARE A HAUNTING by Tyriek White received a fantastic starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer calls the book a “poignant and poetic debut,” adding: “Each character is acutely aware of the weight of their forebears, which White uses to effectively tell a story that is both intimate and sweeping…White works wonders with this inspired story of grief and the struggle for hope.” Astra House will publish the book on April 25, 2023.

Monica Brashears’ HOUSE OF COTTON received a wonderful review from Booklist. Reviewer Allison Escoto writes: "[S]tartling, vivid, and impressive...Brashears has written a lush, pictorial, and often steamy novel with an indelible heroine. Coupling classic gothic elements with a realistic portrayal of the issues facing a young, poor, Black woman with few options, the novel’s many strengths culminate in a powerful and original story that will appeal to a variety of readers across fiction genres." Flatiron Books will publish HOUSE OF COTTON on April 4, 2023.

TAKE WHAT YOU NEED by Idra Novey received a fantastic starred review from Booklist. Reviewer Carol Haggas writes: "Novey explores the mysteries of the creative process, the precariousness of family, and the inherent biases toward unconventional behavior. Novey’s richly complex third novel shows not only a nuanced appreciation for the artistic process but also places such creativity within the toxic distrust sewn by poverty, misogyny, and xenophobia…Novey has constructed a cantankerous character whose artistic passion, fierce independence, and fragile emotional state make her impossible to forget." Viking will publish the novel on March 14, 2023.

An excerpt of Joseph Earl Thomas’ memoir SINK appeared in Vulture. The book was also recommended for Black History Month by The Stacks’ Traci Thomas for NPR/WBUR’s “Here and Now.” Grand Central Publishing will publish the book on February 21, 2023.

SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM by Laura Warrell was longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. The finalists will be announced in March, and the winner will be announced in April. Pantheon published the book on September 27, 2022.

DECENT PEOPLE by De'Shawn Charles Winslow received a fantastic review from The Wall Street Journal, where reviewer Tom Nolan praises the book as a “hard-hitting novel,” adding: “DECENT PEOPLE is an intriguing murder puzzle—and a good deal more. Thanks to richly detailed chapters that switch between multiple points of view, readers are drawn into the lives and memories of several West Mills citizens.” The novel was also featured on The Wall Street Journal’s roundup of “14 Books We Read This Month,” and Winslow appeared on the LARB Radio Hour podcast to discuss the book. Bloomsbury Publishing published DECENT PEOPLE on January 17, 2023.

THE HIGH DESERT by James Spooner received the American Library Association's Alex Award, which honors “books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.” Harper published the book on May 17, 2022.

Ramona Ausubel’s THE LAST ANIMAL received a starred Kirkus review. They rave: "Deadpan gems […] sparkle in just about every scene of Ausubel’s fourth volume of highly original fabulist fiction, which marries an extraordinary and slightly bananas scientific adventure with a deeply felt portrait of a mother and daughters healing from terrible loss...An amazing amount of humor, pizazz, wisdom, and wonder packed into a story that is essentially about processing grief." The book was also featured in Orion Magazine’s “The Most Anticipated Books of 2023 – as Flowers,” and Library Journal’s “Annual Books Preview.” Riverhead Books will publish the novel on April 18, 2023.

AN IMMENSE WORLD by Ed Yong is the Nonfiction Winner of the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence. Stephen Sposato, chair of the selection committee, said: “[S]tanding out even during a recent golden age of nature writing, Ed Yong dazzles with a deeply considered exploration of the many modes of sensory perception that life has evolved to navigate the world, written with exhilarating freshness.” The book was also selected as a finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the New School in New York City on March 23. Random House published AN IMMENSE WORLD on June 21, 2022.