Amazon Studios has signed on to produce the latest feature film from author/film director Woody Allen. The deal follows the collaboration between Allen and Amazon on a television series.

Amazon will release the currently untitled feature film both theatrically and streaming.  The romantic comedy is set in New York and Los Angeles in the 1930s and stars Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Corey Stoll, and Ken Stott.

“Like all beginning relationships, there is much hope, mutual affection, and genuine goodwill — the lawsuits come later,” stated Allen.

Author Harper Lee died at the age of 89 this morning. To celebrate the Pulitzer Prize winning author’s work, we’ve collected a series of quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird below.

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

The publishing industry woke up to news that Pulitzer Prize winning author Harper Lee died this morning. Many people have commented on the sad news including her publisher, her agent and an admirer at Amazon.

“The world knows Harper Lee was a brilliant writer but what many don’t know is that she was an extraordinary woman of great joyfulness, humility and kindness,” stated Michael Morrison, president and publisher of HarperCollins US General Books Group and Canada. “She lived her life the way she wanted to – in private – surrounded by books and the people who loved her. I will always cherish the time I spent with her.”

“Knowing Nelle these past few years has been not just an utter delight but an extraordinary privilege,” Lee’s agent Andrew Nurnberg said in a statement. “When I saw her just six weeks ago, she was full of life, her mind and mischievous wit as sharp as ever.  She was quoting Thomas More and setting me straight on Tudor history.  We have lost a great writer, a great friend and a beacon of integrity.” 

“Harper Lee was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century,” said Sara Nelson, editorial director of Amazon Books and Kindle, in a statement. “Her depiction in To Kill a Mockingbird of the pre-Civil Rights era South changed lives but it was her evocation of childhood innocence and its loss that broke our hearts. Whatever your feelings about Go Set a Watchman, there is no denying that Lee’s impact on American literature will last for generations.”

Bestselling author Harper Lee has died. She was 89 years old.

Lee’s iconic 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has served as a definitive text on race in America. The Pulitzer Prize-winning title was Lee’s only book until last year, when Harper Collins published Go Set a Watchman, a Mockingbird sequel. The publication of her second book was rooted in controversy about whether Lee was present enough to approve its publication.

Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Ala. The daughter of a newspaper editor/lawyer, Lee studied law at the University of Alabama and spent a year as an exchange student at Oxford University, according to HarperLee.com. Six months before she would have graduated, she moved to New York to become a writer. She worked with Truman Capote as a research assistant on his classic non-fiction novel In Cold Blood.

After the success of Mockingbird, she returned to Monroeville, where she remained until her passing.

You can read the New York Times’ obit on Lee here.

Tony Kushner has signed on to write a movie script based on the memoir, He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter’s Quest to Know Him. Mimi Baird, the daughter of Dr. Perry Baird, and Eve Claxton, the co-writer, collaborated together on this recently released nonfiction book.

According to Deadline, the medical doctor focused his research on the biochemistry of depression. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt may take on the role of Perry Baird.

Here’s more from The Hollywood Reporter: “Mimi Baird discovered a manuscript her father had written while committed (it detailed his escape attempts, his divorce and his fall from grace in the medical community) and then began piecing together the heartbreaking circumstances that occurred decades earlier when father left her at the age of six and the rest of the family refused to talk about him.” (via Yahoo! Movies)

Graham Annable has signed a deal with First Second Books. He has become well-known as an animator, a cartoonist, and the director behind The Boxtrolls movie.

According to Nerdist, Annable (pictured, via) plans to create his debut graphic novel, Peter & Ernesto. The publisher has not announced the release date yet.

Annable revealed in a blog post that the story follows “two very different sloths who are the best of friends! And while it will be geared towards younger readers I hope that everyone will really dig the adventures of these two!”

We’ve collected the books debuting on Indiebound’s Indie Bestseller List for the week ending February 14, 2016–a sneak peek at the books everybody will be talking about next month.

(Debuted at #6 in Children’s Fiction Series) Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard: “Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.” (February 2016)

(Debuted at #7 in Hardcover Nonfiction) In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri: “It is at heart a love story—of a long and sometimes difficult courtship, and a passion that verges on obsession: that of a writer for another language. For Jhumpa Lahiri, that love was for Italian, which first captivated and capsized her during a trip to Florence after college. Although Lahiri studied Italian for many years afterward, true mastery always eluded her. Seeking full immersion, she decides to move to Rome with her family, for ‘a trial by fire, a sort of baptism’ into a new language and world.” (February 2016)

(Debuted at #8 in Hardcover Fiction) Morning Star by Pierce Brown: “Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.” (February 2016)

Robert Bahou hopes to raise over $31,000 on Kickstarter for an animal-themed coffee table book. It will feature more than 140 photographs of cats and dogs. We’ve embedded a video about the project above.

Here’s more from the Kickstarter page: ” I look for hints of truth in the photographs I make, and I have found that this is surprisingly accessible with animals. The reason for this is that I don’t believe animals understand what a camera is. As a result, they don’t behave the way we do when faced with a camera. They don’t adjust themselves, turn to their good sides, pull a prepared face, or hide anything. What’s left is a truly honest moment between them and the camera.”

Welcome to our Kickstarter Publishing Project of the Week, a feature exploring how authors and publishers are using the fundraising site to raise money for book projects. If you want to start your own project, check out How To Use Kickstarter to Fund Your Publishing Project.

Digital publishing community Wattpad has created several infographics exploring reading habits around Valentine’s Day.

One graphic reveals that 9 percent of readers read a romance on the holiday last year. Another breaks out smut versus romance. Another breaks down reading behaviors by state.

We have the series of graphics for you after the jump.

Do you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day this weekend?

The New York Public Library team created a map of fictional romances set in New York City. According to the organization’s blog post, a group of book experts shared some of “their favorite romantic scenes that take place in the city.”

This interactive map features several well-known spots such as The Museum of Natural History, The Strand bookstore, and the 7 train. Some of the books that provided these locations include The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. Follow this link to view the map.

The CW has cast two actors for the Riverdale television series pilot. Cole Sprouse will play Jughead Jones and Lili Reinhart will take on the role of Betty Cooper.

Archie Comics COO Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has agreed to write the script. He will serve as an executive producer along with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, and Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater.

Here’s more from the press release: “The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones. Popular gay character Kevin Keller will also play a pivotal role. In addition to the core cast, Riverdale will introduce other characters from Archie Comics’ expansive library, including Josie and the Pussycats.”

Gail Gonzales has been promoted to vice president and publisher at Rodale Books. She first joined the company in May 2015 as vice president and associate publisher of the Trade Books division.

Gonzales will succeed Mary Ann Naples who is leaving the position for a new role at the Disney Book Group. She will report to CEO Maria Rodale.

Gonzales gave this statement in the press release: “It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role. In today’s dynamic publishing landscape, Rodale has proven itself to be an industry leader at the forefront of redefining what it means to be a successful publisher. I’m looking forward to continuing to publish the biggest and best names in the wellness space and to creating even more inspiring and empowering products for our customers to engage with.”

Steven Spielberg served as a narrator for First Book’s “Share the Magic of Storytelling” piece. The video embedded above features references to Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, The BFG.

Here’s more from a First Book blog post: “Disney has donated a record 50 million books to First Book. To celebrate this milestone, Disney, ABC and First Book invite you to join the fourth annual Magic of Storytelling campaign through March 31.”

Spielberg directed a film adaptation based on Dahl’s novel. The theatrical release date has been set for July 01, 2016. Click here to watch the first movie teaser.

Lisa Lucas has been appointed executive director of The Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation, the organization responsible for the National Book Awards.
Lucas will succeed Harold Augenbraum who revealed that he was stepping down last March.

Lucas will become the third executive director in the Foundation’s history.
Lucas comes to after serving as publisher of Guernica, a non-profit digital magazine focused on art and politics. Prior to Guernica, Lucas served as director of education at the Tribeca Film Institute.

The executive search firm Spencer Stuart conducted the search for Lucas and a search committee of the National Book Foundation Board oversaw the process. This team included: chairman David Steinberger, the board’s vice chair Morgan Entrekin, CEO and Publisher of Grove Atlantic; Reynold Levy, President of The Robin Hood Foundation; Carolyn Reidy, President and CEO of Simon and Schuster; Calvin Sims, President and CEO of International House; and Strauss Zelnick, founder of Zelnick Media Capital.

“We went through an exhaustive search process,” stated David Steinberger, president and CEO of The Perseus Books Group and Chairman of the National Book Foundation, “and we could not be more pleased with the outcome. Lisa Lucas is a dynamic leader who has served as a passionate advocate for literature and has built an impressive track record of accomplishment in the not-for-profit world across theater, film and literature.”

We’ve collected the books debuting on Indiebound’s Indie Bestseller List for the week ending Feb. 7, 2016–a sneak peek at the books everybody will be talking about next month.

(Debuted at #1 in Young Adult) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: “World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in one another tested with each step closer toward safety.” (Feb. 2016)

(Debuted at #6 in Children’s Fiction Series) The Lunar Chronicles: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer: “The enchantment continues…The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories – and secrets – that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic.” (Feb. 2016)

(Debuted at #12 in Hardcover Fiction) The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel: “In Lisbon in 1904, a young man named Tomás discovers an old journal. It hints at the existence of an extraordinary artifact that—if he can find it—would redefine history. Traveling in one of Europe’s earliest automobiles, he sets out in search of this strange treasure.” (Feb. 2016)

Harlequin TEEN and Seventeen Magazine have partnered up to launch a new imprint called Seventeen Fiction. The editors plan to work on a variety of projects such as novels,  lifestyle manuals, advice books, and nonfiction digital books.

According to the press release, the executives behind this imprint “will focus on multi-dimensional and empowered fictional female characters and explore topics and situations that authentically reflect the challenges and joys of being a teenager today, just as Seventeen does across all platforms.” Natashya Wilson, an executive editor at Harlequin TEEN, has already acquired the first manuscript: Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz.

The story “follows the daughter of immigrant parents who is living the American dream—until her world shatters when she learns she is ineligible to receive the National Scholarship Award because her family is in the country illegally and may be deported.” The release date has been scheduled for Fall 2016.

Netflix has unveiled a trailer for the Cooked documentary series. The video embedded above features narration by author Michael Pollan.

According to Tasting Table, the title of the show shares the same name as Pollan’s 2013 nonfiction book. Each installment will focus on a different element: fire, water, air, and earth.

Eater reports that all four episodes will be posted online on Feb. 19. To learn more about Pollan’s book, click here to listen to a talk he gave at the Google office.

Bruce Springsteen has signed a deal with Simon & Schuster. The international release date for his autobiography, entitled Born to Run, has been scheduled for Sept. 27.

The legendary rock star has been working on this book for the past seven years. Springsteen first began to write down his life story after performing with the E Street Band at the 2009 Super Bowl halftime show.

Here’s more from the press release: “In Born to Run, Mr. Springsteen describes growing up in Freehold, New Jersey amid the ‘poetry, danger, and darkness’ that fueled his imagination. He vividly recounts his relentless drive to become a musician, his early days as a bar band king in Asbury Park, and the rise of the E Street Band. With disarming candor, he also tells for the first time the story of the personal struggles that inspired his best work, and shows us why the song ‘Born to Run’ reveals more than we previously realized.”

Dynamite Entertainment has established a new partnership with Humble Bundle. The two collaborators will offer a deal called the “Best-Selling Authors Bundle.”

Customers can choose between the publisher or a non-profit as the recipient of their money. They will have three charity options: the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Doctors Without Borders (a.k.a. Médecins Sans Frontières), and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Here’s more from the press release: “The ‘pay what you want’ model offers readers the chance to unlock over 120 comics, and over 3,500 pages of content. This will give graphic lit fans access to: Charlaine Harris’ Grave Sight Part 1 by Charlaine Harris, The Shadow Vol 1: Fire of Creation by Garth Ennis and Aaron Campbell, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thomson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs, The Complete Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Leah Moore, and John Reppion, Sherlock Holmes: Year One by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Scott Beatty, The Spider Vol. 1: Terror of the Zombie Queen by David Liss and Francesco Francavilla, and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Echoes by Tom Clancy. As the bundle progresses, there will be a running average.”

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has launched a new young adult literature-themed website called Riveted. The creatives behind this venture plan to feature lists, articles, quizzes, videos, giveaways, news pieces, and behind-the-scenes information.

Some of the writers who have signed on to contribute content includes Jenny Han, Siobhan Vivian, and Scott Westerfeld. To launch this website, the Riveted team will host a community “binge reading” of Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series.

Here’s more from the press release: “Leading up to the March release of the next installment of the Shadowhunters Chronicles, Lady Midnight, members from the editorial board will host live video chats every Friday to discuss the week’s #TMIBingeRead. In addition, the site will feature original content such as DIY videos on how to get the perfect book character-inspired hair, “word of the week” videos, and exclusive serialized bonus stories.” Click here to watch a video to learn more about the binge reading event.

The Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Public Library are celebrating the Oxford English Dictionary throughout the month of March with an event called: Hollywood Is A Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary.

During the month, the libraries across the city will host public programs that encourage readers to rethink the dictionary. There will be more than 60 events and activities across the Los Angeles Public Library system. Events will include: poetry workshops, dictionary-themed improv, word game tournaments and art classes.

In addition there will be several author talks. For instance on March 3, National Book Award-winning author James Gleick and UCSD Professor of Cognitive Science Lera Boroditsky will discuss “how knowledge systems like the Oxford English Dictionary mirror or change the way the human brain functions.”

Warner Bros. Pictures has unleashed the final official trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The video embedded above and below offers glimpses of the battle between Henry Cavill as Superman (a.k.a. Clark Kent) and Ben Affleck as Batman (a.k.a. Bruce Wayne).

Other members of the cast include Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. The theatrical release date for this film adaptation has been scheduled for March 25.

Click on these links to watch a few teasers, the first trailer, and the second trailer. Who’s your favorite super hero from the comic book world?

Taraji P. Henson will play the mathematician Katherine Johnson in the Hidden Figures movie. In the past, the actress (pictured,via) was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

According to Variety, the story for this film adaptation comes from Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly. HarperCollins will publish this nonfiction book on Sept. 6.

Here’s more from The Hollywood Reporter: “Ted Melfi will direct the film about a group of black women who provided NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program’s first successful space missions. Fox is planning to release the film Jan. 13, 2017, to coincide with the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.” (via Bustle)

Mary Ann Naples has been hired as a vice president and publisher at the Disney Book Group. Her start date has been scheduled for Mar. 14.

Prior to this development, Naples was a senior vice president and publisher at Rodale Books and Rodale Wellness. In her new role, she will serve as a representative to a variety of different members of the industry, work with authors, and oversee business strategy moves for the group.

Naples gave this statement in the press release: “I am thrilled to join the Disney Book Group with its spectacular track record of success, its world-class brands, franchises, authors and illustrators, and its amazing team. Disney has always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity, and I can’t wait to build on the great work already done in the book group.”

MasterClass, an internet educational platform, will host a contest for aspiring writers to collaborate with bestselling author James Patterson. This competition will only be open to students who enroll in Patterson’s MasterClass writing course.

Patterson gave this statement in the press release: “There are a lot of people who have the talent, but haven’t been shown the door to walk through. I’ve been surprised and impressed by the passion, devotion and talent of my students. They inspired me to want to help guide one of them through the publishing process. I’m looking forward to reading the submissions that are skillful, fast-paced and unpredictable.”

The submission deadline has been set for March 22 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Patterson will select the winning co-author on May 24. Contestants who are chosen as semifinalists and finalists will also receive a cash prize. Follow this link to learn more information and read up on all the rules.