With support from the publisher, Shelf Awareness features the Simon & Schuster Fall Preview, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 11 and 12, for an hour each day, highlighting authors and illustrators and their upcoming books.

We are proud to announce this year's Simon & Schuster Fall Preview—a two-day virtual event that offers booksellers, librarians, publishing professionals, and tastemakers an exclusive sneak preview of the biggest books from Simon & Schuster fall lists. From must-read novels to insightful, heartfelt memoirs to breathtaking picture books—these are the titles everyone will be buzzing about this fall.

Day one of the Preview shines a spotlight on books from the Children's division. The powerhouse event features acclaimed award winners, dynamic debuts, amazing artists, and classic children's book writers for readers of all ages. The one-hour session will be moderated by Melissa Posten of The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, MO.

On day two of the Preview, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp will kick off the hour and introduce five adult titles: inspiring debuts and noteworthy picks in both fiction and nonfiction. Then each pair of authors and editors will then reveal the stories behind the stories that everyone will be talking about this fall.

The Adult Author Fall Preview will be held on Thursday, May 12, from 2:00–3:00 PM ET. The following five titles--including two powerful novels, a brilliant book about scientists' work with cells, a story of hope about a Holocaust survivor, and the memoir of a celebrity known to everyone in the galaxy--will be featured. Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp will kick off the event and introduce the titles. Then each pair of authors and editors will reveal the stories behind the stories that everyone will be talking about this fall.

The Song of the Cell: The Transformation of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee (Scribner, $32.50, 9781982117351, October 25), in conversation with Nan Graham, his editor, and Scribner's publisher.

From the author of The Emperor of All Maladies, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and The Gene, a #1 New York Times bestseller, comes his most spectacular book yet, about the transformation of medicine through our radical new ability to manipulate cells. Rich with Mukherjee's revelatory and exhilarating stories of scientists, doctors, and the patients whose lives may be saved by their work, The Song of the Cell is the third book in this extraordinary writer's exploration of what it means to be human. Here he tells the story of how scientists discovered cells, began to understand them, and are now using that knowledge to create new humans. He seduces you with writing so vivid, lucid, and suspenseful that complex science becomes thrilling. Told in six parts, laced with Mukherjee's own experience as a researcher, a doctor, and a prolific reader, The Song of the Cell is both panoramic and intimate—a masterpiece.

Siddhartha Mukherjee

Siddhartha Mukherjee is the author of The Gene: An Intimate History, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, and The Laws of Medicine and is the editor of Best Science Writing 2013. Mukherjee is an associate professor of medicine at Columbia University and a cancer physician and researcher. A Rhodes scholar, he graduated from Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. He has published articles in many journals, including Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, Cell, The New York Times Magazine, and The New Yorker. He lives in New York with his wife and daughters.

Nan Graham

Nan Graham was Editor in Chief of Scribner for more than fifteen years and became Senior Vice President and Publisher of the imprint in 2012. Before coming to Scribner, she worked at Viking Penguin. Her titles have garnered the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, NBCC, and many other accolades, and her many bestselling, award-winning authors include Don DeLillo, Stephen King, Anthony Doerr, Miranda July, Annie Proulx, Amy Hempel, Rachel Kushner, Colm Tóibín, Kate Walbert, Dana Spiotta, Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Andrew Solomon. She edited the memoirs The Liars' Club by Mary Karr, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Both/And by Huma Abedin. The novels she edited include The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, Underworld by Don DeLillo, Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner, and Cloud Cuckoo Land and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

People Person by Candice Carty-Williams (Scout Press, $27.99, 9781501196041, September 6), in conversation with Alison Callahan.

In this novel from the author of Queenie, Dimple Pennington is thirty, and her life isn't really going anywhere. An aspiring lifestyle influencer with a terrible and wayward boyfriend, Dimple's life has shrunk to the size of a phone screen. And despite a small but loyal following, she's never felt more alone in her life. That is, until a dramatic event brings her half siblings Nikisha, Danny, Lizzie, and Prynce crashing back into her life. And when they're all forced to reconnect with Cyril Pennington, the absent father they never really knew, things get even more complicated.

Candice Carty-Williams

From an author with "a flair for storytelling that appears effortlessly authentic" (Time), People Person is a vibrant and charming celebration of discovering family as an adult.

Candice Carty-Williams was a senior marketing executive at Vintage. In 2016, she created and launched The Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, which aims to find, champion, and celebrate underrepresented writers. She contributes regularly to i-D, Refinery29, Beat Magazine, and more, and her pieces, especially those about blackness, sex, and identity, have been shared globally. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @CandiceC_W.

Alison Callahan

Alison Callahan, Vice President and Executive Editor, Scout Press, began her publishing career as a reader for the fiction editors at The New Yorker and The Atlantic. After attending the Radcliffe Publishing Course, she worked at International Creative Management, HarperCollins, and Knopf Doubleday. She joined Simon & Schuster in 2014 and a year later, helped launch the literary imprint Scout Press with Ruth Ware's debut, In a Dark, Dark Wood. The authors Alison has edited include Amy Schumer, Stanley Tucci, Erin Morgenstern, Ann Patchett, Liane Moriarty, America Ferrera, Iain Reid, Armistead Maupin, Daniel Alarcon, and Peter Straub, among many others.

One Hundred Saturdays: In Search of a Lost World by Michael Frank (Avid Reader, $28, 9781982167226, September 6), in conversation with Lauren Wein.

One Hundred Saturdays is the remarkable story of ninety-nine-year-old Stella Levi whose conversations with the writer Michael Frank on a hundred Saturdays over the course of six years bring to life the vibrant world of Jewish Rhodes, the deportation to Auschwitz that extinguished ninety percent of her community, and the resilience and wisdom of the woman who lived to tell the tale.

Michael Frank

Probing and courageous, candid and sly, Stella is a magical modern-day Scheherazade whose stories reveal what it was like to grow up in an extraordinary place in an extraordinary time—and to construct a life after that place has vanished. One Hundred Saturdays is a portrait of one of the last survivors drawn at nearly the last possible moment, as well as an account of a tender and transformative friendship that develops between storyteller and listener as they explore the fundamental mystery of what it means to collect, share, and interpret the deepest truths of a life deeply lived.

Michael Frank is the author of What Is Missing, a novel, and The Mighty Franks, a memoir, which was awarded the 2018 JQ Wingate Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by The Telegraph and The New Statesman. His essays, articles, and short stories have appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Slate, The Yale Review, Salmagundi, The TLS, Tablet, and other publications. The recipient of a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship, he lives with his family in New York City and Camogli, Italy.

Lauren Wein

Before joining Avid Reader Press as Editorial Director, overseeing the imprint's fiction and memoir program, Lauren Wein spent more than two decades as an editor, first at Grove Atlantic, where she also served as rights director, and then at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Since arriving at Avid Reader in 2019, she has published two Reese's Book Club selections—Group by Christie Tate and Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, both New York Times bestsellers. Earlier notable publications include Adrienne Brodeur's Wild Game (an Amazon and People magazine top-ten book of the year), Lori Gottlieb's Maybe You Should Talk to Someone (a New York Times bestseller and an Amazon top-ten book of the year), Rachel Kadish's The Weight of Ink (winner of a National Jewish Book Award), Derek B. Miller's Norwegian by Night (winner of the Dagger Award for best debut crime novel), and Sarai Walker's Dietland (the basis for the AMC television series).

The Deluge by Stephen Markley (Simon & Schuster, $27.99, 9781982123093, January 10), in conversation with Stuart Roberts.

From the bestselling author of Ohio, this is a masterful American epic charting a near future approaching collapse and a nascent but strengthening solidarity.

In the first decades of the 21st century, the world is convulsing, its governments mired in gridlock while a patient but unrelenting ecological crisis looms. America is in upheaval, battered by violent weather and extreme politics. In California in 2013, Tony Pietrus, a scientist studying deposits of undersea methane, receives a death threat. His fate will become bound to a stunning cast of characters—a broken drug addict, a star advertising strategist, a neurodivergent mathematician, a cunning eco-terrorist, an actor turned religious zealot, and a brazen young activist named Kate Morris, who, in the mountains of Wyoming, begins a project that will alter the course of the decades to come.

Stephen Markley

Stephen Markley is the author of the acclaimed debut novel Ohio, which NPR called "a devastating masterpiece." The Deluge is his second novel. A graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, Markley is a writer on the hit Hulu show Only Murderers in the Building, starring Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, where he received acclaim for writing a silent episode told from a deaf person's perspective. He is also adapting Ohio for HBO with the creator of Euphoria Sam Levinson. He lives in Los Angeles.

Stuart Roberts

Stuart Roberts acquires books by cultural tastemakers, artists, political leaders, critics, biographers, and reporters covering current affairs. His first acquisition, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane, was an instant New York Times bestseller. His next book was the #1 New York Times bestseller Supermarket by Bobby Hall (aka Logic). In 2020, Stuart published Lana Del Rey's debut poetry collection, the New York Times bestseller Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass, as well as Gucci Mane's second book, The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness, David M. Rubenstein's New York Times bestseller How to Lead, and Lou Gehrig: The Lost Memoir. His forthcoming books include New York Times reporter Joe Coscarelli on Atlanta rap, Wall Street Journal reporter Joshua Mitchell on the student loan debt crisis, and Joshua Hunt on the counterfeit luxury goods black market. Stuart also oversees the Ray Bradbury and Dale Carnegie libraries at S&S. Stuart joined Simon & Schuster in 2014 as partner to Alice Mayhew, working with Bob Woodward, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Doris Kearns Goodwin, President Jimmy Carter, Walter Isaacson, and many others. He was raised in Kansas and is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course.

Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner (Atria, $28, 9781668007327, October 4), in conversation with Peter Borland.

The beloved star of Star Trek, recent space traveler, and living legend William Shatner reflects on the interconnectivity of all things, our fragile bond with nature, and the joy that comes from exploration in this inspiring, revelatory, and exhilarating collection of essays.

By revealing stories of his life--some delightful, others tragic--Shatner reflects on what he has learned along the way to his ninth decade and how important it is to apply the joy of exploration to our own lives. Insightful, irreverent, and with his signature wit and dramatic flair, Boldly Go is an unputdownable celebration of all that our miraculous universe holds for us.

William Shatner

William Shatner is the author of nine Star Trek novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ashes of Eden and The Return. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Get a Life! and I'm Working on That. In addition to his role as Captain James T. Kirk, he starred as Denny Crane in the hit television series from David E. Kelley, Boston Legal--a role for which he won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Peter Borland

Peter Borland, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Atria Books, Washington Square Press, and Howard Books, joined Atria in 2004 after serving in various editorial capacities at Dutton and Ballantine. He edits #1 New York Times bestselling novelists Fredrik Backman and Janet Evanovich, as well as Thomas Keneally, William Kent Krueger, Liese O'Halloran Schwarz, and Cecily von Ziegesar. His nonfiction books include Tina Turner: My Love Story by Tina Turner, Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi, I'm Over All That by Shirley MacLaine, The Price of Illusion by Joan Juliet Buck, iGen by Jean Twenge, and History of a Suicide by Jill Bialosky. Originally from Virginia, he is a graduate of Haverford College.

The Children's Author & Illustrator Fall Preview will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2–3 p.m. ET. The powerhouse event features acclaimed award winners, dynamic debuts, amazing artists, and classic children's book writers for readers of all ages. This hour-long discussion will be moderated by Melissa Posten of The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, MO.

Participants are:

Sandra Boynton, the beloved American cartoonist, children's author, and Platinum-selling songwriter/producer whose Boynton Bookworks imprint is launching this fall.

Along with becoming the new home for Boynton's entire Little Simon backlist, Boynton Bookworks will publish its inaugural list in this fall. It includes two new board books—Pookie's Thanksgiving ($6.99, 9781665922630, September 6) and Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! ($6.99, 9781665914352, September 13)—and a deluxe picture book edition of Boynton's much-loved classic Hippos Go Berserk! ($17.99, 9781665926034, August 30), first published in 1977 and in print ever since. Boynton has completely redrawn and redesigned Hippos Go Berserk!. In addition, beginning this fall, the new imprint will welcome all of Boynton's previously published titles, including brand-new editions of twenty-two beloved Boynton books and six renowned songbook/CDs including such multimillion-copy bestsellers as Barnyard Dance!, Snuggle Puppy!, Belly Button Book!, Birthday Monsters!, and Philadelphia Chickens.

Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton is a beloved American cartoonist, children's author, songwriter, and short film director. Her renowned books include The Going to Bed Book, Barnyard Dance!, Snuggle Puppy!, and Spooky Pookie; and for grownups, CHOCOLATE: The Consuming Passion and Christmastime. Boynton has also written and produced six albums of unconventional children's music, which include performances by Stanley Tucci, Brian Wilson, Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves, B.B. King, Blues Traveler, Alison Krauss, Meryl Streep, Patti LuPone, and "Weird Al" Yankovic (in a duet with Kate Winslet.) Three of Boynton's albums have been certified Gold, and Philadelphia Chickens, nominated for a Grammy, has gone Platinum. Boynton received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cartoonists Society.

Peter Brown, illustrator of Creepy Crayon! (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 9781534465886, August 23).

From the team behind the New York Times bestselling Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Pair of Underwear! comes the third in this hilariously spooky series about a young rabbit and his peculiar encounters—featuring a sinister crayon!

Peter Brown

Peter Brown writes and illustrates books for children. His picture books include The Curious Garden, Children Make Terrible Pets, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, and Fred Gets Dressed. His work has earned numerous honors, including a Horn Book Award, a Children's Choice Illustrator of the Year Award, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award. Peter's illustrations for Creepy Carrots! earned a Caldecott Honor. Peter has also written two New York Times bestselling novels for children, The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes. He lives in Philadelphia. Visit Peter at peterbrownstudio.com.

Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal, authors of It's Diwali! (Beach Lane Books, $18.99, 9781534453654, September 6).

From the New York Times bestselling mother-son duo of beloved favorites such as Mother Goose Goes to India and Festival of Colors comes a luminous picture book inviting readers to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali.

Surishtha Sehgal

Surishtha Sehgal was a university professor for many years and now enjoys reading to children during story time. She is the founder of a nonprofit organization that promotes social responsibility among students, and she serves on the boards of two universities and a national arts center. She lives in Atlanta.

Kabir Sehgal

Kabir Sehgal started his class newspaper in second grade and has been writing ever since. A bestselling author of several books, he is also a jazz bassist and Grammy Award–winning producer. He lives in New York City. 

Shannon Messenger, author of Stellarlune: Keeper of the Lost Cities #9 (Aladdin, $21.99, 9781534438521, November 8).

The next thrilling installment of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series!

Shannon Messenger

Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She's studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She's the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family—and an embarrassing number of cats.

Dr. Seema Yasmin, author of What the Fact?: Finding the Truth in All the Noise (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9781665900034, September 20).

From acclaimed writer, journalist, and physician Dr. Seema Yasmin comes a much-needed, timely book about the importance of media literacy, fact-based reporting, and the ability to discern truth from lies.

Dr. Seema Yasmin

Dr. Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award–winning journalist who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, medical doctor, professor, and poet. She attended medical school at Cambridge University and worked as a disease detective for the U.S. government's Epidemic Intelligence Service. She currently teaches storytelling at Stanford University School of Medicine and is a regular contributor to CNN, Self, and Scientific American, among others.

Chloe Gong, author of Foul Lady Fortune (Margaret K. McElderry Books, $21.99, 9781665905589, September 27).

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.

Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong is the author of These Violent Delights and its sequel, Our Violent Ends, as well as Foul Lady Fortune. She is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she double majored in English and international relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Chloe is now located in New York pretending to be a real adult. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok under @TheChloeGong or check out her website at TheChloeGong.com.