BTW News Briefs

Submissions Sought for 28th Lambda Literary Awards

The Lambda Literary Foundation has opened the submissions period for the 28th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys), which honor LGBTQ books in more than 20 genres ranging from literary fiction and poetry to speculative fiction, graphic novels, and memoir. New this year is a Lammy category for transgender poetry.

“As the most comprehensive LGBTQ book awards, the Lammys ensure that LGBTQ stories are recognized and retold as part of the literature of the world,” said Lambda Literary Award Administrator Kathleen DeBold.

Books submitted for the 28th annual awards must be published between January 1 and December 31, 2015. The Lambda Literary website features complete guidelines and a submissions form. All entries must be submitted by December 1, 2015.

2015 Thriller Award Winners Announced

The winners of the 2015 Thriller Awards, presented by the International Thriller Writers, were announced at this year’s ThrillerFest at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City from July 7 – 11.

This year’s winners are:

• Best Novel: The Fever, by Megan Abbott (Little, Brown)
• Best First Novel: The Weight of Blood, by Laura McHugh (Spiegel & Grau)
• Best Paperback Original: Moonlight Weeps, by Vincent Zandri (Down & Out Books)
• Best Short Story: “The Last Wrestling Bear in West Kentucky,” by Tim L. Williams (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine)
• Best Young Adult: Nearly Gone, by Elle Cosimano (Penguin Books)
• Best e-Book Original: Hard Fall, by C.J. Lyons (Legacy Books)

Ingram Launches 1440 Accelerator Program

This week, Ingram Content Group announced the launch of 1440, its new accelerator program, named for the year Johannes Gutenberg perfected his printing press technology.

The program is set to begin in September and will consist of an intensive 14-week process designed to accelerate the growth of up to 10 startups. Participating companies will receive a $30k investment for 10 percent equity and will be mentored by experts at Ingram Content Group, with additional guidance from the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Jumpstart Foundry, which both have track records launching new businesses.

Applications for the 1440 program are currently open and will close on August 7. Startup ideas can range from improving customer experience to bringing books to new markets to helping publishers establish stronger relationships with end customers. Interested startups can learn more and apply at FourteenForty.co.