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May 27, 2020

MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts

LATEST NEWS Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes soars into charts top spot Suzanne Collins' prequel to The Hunger Games series, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Scholastic), has hit the right chord with book-buyers, soaring straight into the UK Official Top 50 number one. Hachette children's imprint to publish J K Rowling's The Ickabog J K Rowling is releasing a standalone fairytale called The Ickabog for free online and is asking children to illustrate the published edition for her. James leaves Orion for HQ in three-book deal Erica James is leaving Orion after 25 years to join HQ in a three-book deal, reuniting the author with her former editor Kate Mills. Johny Pitts wins 2020 Jhalak Prize Johny Pitts—a writer, photographer and broadcast journalist—has won the £1,000 Jhalak Prize for Book of the Year by a Writer of Colour, for Afropean: Notes from Black Europe (Allen Lane). Lockdown is 'opportunity for systemic change', says Jhalak Prize founder Sunny Singh, the co-founder of the Jhalak Prize, has said lockdown caused by the pandemic is an opportunity to reassess equality in the industry. Wilson, Baddiel and Cowell to feature in Summer Reading Challenge The Reading Agency has revealed the initial line-up of ambassadors for its Summer Reading Challenge 2020, including Jacqueline Wilson, David Baddiel and Waterstones Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell. Bookstat chart: The Silent Patient checks in at the top Alex Michaelides' The Silent Patient (Orion) has surged into the Bookstat e-book number one spot for the week ending 23rd May. Tyson Fury and Ben Stokes make Autobiography of the Year shortlist England cricket hero Ben Stokes and boxer Tyson Fury are among the sports stars shortlisted for the Autobiography of the Year prize in the Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2020. Transworld gets Ranganathan's As Good As It Gets Transworld has snapped up the second book by comedian Romesh Ranganathan. Cape snares Universe in a Box with pre-empt deal Jonathan Cape has pre-empted The Universe in a Box, a tour of the cosmos through the lens of computer simulations by Professor Andrew Pontzen. Amazon Charts: Obama leapfrogs Wicks as Rooney holds firm Michelle Obama's Becoming (Penguin) has leapt into the Amazon Charts' Most-Sold: Non-Fiction number one slot, defeating Joe Wicks' Wean in 15 (Bluebird) after three weeks at the top. Hodder wins auction for Annette Christie debut Hodder & Stoughton has acquired The Rehearsals, described as a high-concept love story that follows a couple who find themselves forced to keep re-living the day of their wedding rehearsal over and over.

The Bookseller Group Bookseller Media Ltd | Floor 10 | Westminster Tower | 3 Albert Embankment | LONDON | SE1 7SP Switchboard: 0203 358 0360 Subscriptions: 01371 851879 Latest headlines for the book industry Now open: advertise in the Buyer's Guides. Click here to get in touch. May 26, 2020 MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts LATEST NEWS BA calls for trade support as bookshops gear up for 15th June reopening The Booksellers Association has called for publishers to support the sector in getting back to business after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday (25th May) that stores could reopen from 15th June. UK employers to pay 25% of furloughed wages Employers will have to pay 25% of furloughed staff wages from August as the Treasury starts to reduce state provision, it has been reported. High streaming figures for Hay Festival Digital first weekend Hay Festival Digital events were streamed over 210,000 times in the virtual festival's opening weekend (Saturday 23rd May to Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May), with people from more than 63 countries tuning in.   University Presses must 'be part of solution' for Covid-hit institutions University Presses need to make sure their institution's senior management teams think of them as part of the solution to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, a University Press Redux Online webinar heard last week. Rosen out of intensive care after 47 days Author Michael Rosen has been moved out of intensive care, his family has reported. The children’s writer has spent 47 days in hospital after exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19. Society of Young Publishers reopens London mentorship scheme The Society of Young Publishers London branch is reopening its mentorship scheme for 2020, with a host of professionals from across the trade ready to share their knowledge. Pan Macmillan lands Hannah novel in six-figure deal Pan Macmillan has landed Kristin Hannah's new novel in a six-figure deal ahead of the Netflix series of her book Firefly Lane (Pan). Transworld unveils new Sophie Kinsella novel for October Transworld has announced a new Sophie Kinsella novel for October 2020: Love Your Life. White Rabbit to explore Burroughs' impact on rock 'n' roll White Rabbit has acquired William S Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘N’ Roll by Casey Rae, showing "the often surprising influence" that Beat Generation writer Burroughs had on music, from David Bowie to the Beatles. RWA axes RITA awards and launches new prize after racism row The Romance Writers of America (RWA) is ditching its annual RITA Awards in favour of a new prize following a racism row that engulfed the organisation. Neblett's 'powerful' debut to William Heinemann William Heinemann has acquired debut novel King of Rabbits by Karla Neblett, about "how a little boy perceives the world and how his environment leads him on a path to manhood he doesn’t want to follow". Cundill History Prize finalises judging panel for 2020 Anne Applebaum, Lyse Doucet, Eliga Gould and Sujit Sivasundaram are joining The Silk Roads author Peter Frankopan as judges for the $75,000 Cundill History Prize. The Bookseller Group Bookseller Media Ltd | Floor 10 | Westminster Tower | 3 Albert Embankment | LONDON | SE1 7SP Switchboard: 0203 358 0360 Subscriptions: 01371 851879

The most read stories of the week

Our round-up of the most read stories of the past week on The Bookseller: 1. Rob Biddulph attempts world's largest online art lesson 2. Debut The Flames to Doubleday in major six-figure pre-empt (£) 3. Libraries embrace safety-first approach for July reopenings (£) 4. Virtual events should 'mirror real world', says Wilding (£) 5. Trade 'baffled' by exclusion from Cultural Renewal Taskforce 6. Booksellers concerned over opening date delay as Amazon ramps up (£) 7. 'Bun fight' for autumn as publishers move new titles (£) 8. ACE 'just saved indie publishing', say presses (£) 9. Bookshops need to 'build resilience', Thornton warns 10. Strong growth at Bloomsbury's adult division, as coronavirus buffets sales (£)

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Home | News | Blog | Charts | Search Jobs | May 22, 2020

Welcome to this Friday's Jobs in Books. Thank you once again to all who joined us for our second M&P panel. You can catch-up on our M&P website and re-watch both of our panels to your heart's content!  Make sure to subscribe to our free daily briefing/books in the media emails for all the news and all the reviews in your inbox (that’s if you haven’t already)! In these unprecedented times, the Bookseller will bring you as much publishing information as humanly possible to enable you to make the business decisions you need to. If you'd like to take part in my job in 5 or if you have a new move or promotion to announce, please get in touch at emma.lowe@thebookseller.com. Stay strong jobhunters! @Jobsinbooks

People & Moves

Annie Callanan, c.e.o. of Taylor & Francis, has been elected president of the Publishers Association (PA). Dean Chance, former m.d. of Carlton Books and current group commercial director of Welbeck Publishing Group, is leaving the firm. DK has appointed Katie Cowan as publishing director at Life, following Mary-Clare Jerram's retirement. Laura Deacon, currently editorial director at Amazon Publishing, is joining Bookouture in August as publishing director.

FEATURED JOBS

Administrator (academic publisher) A leading archaeology publisher in Oxford is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Administrator with demonstrable administrative experience and excellent pair of eyes for details to join their... Product Manager – Library Solutions An academic publisher, with one of the most successful track records for growth over the last ten years, is looking for a Product Manager – Library Solutions, to lead the definition and delivery of... Product Manager – Library Software May 14, 2020 Our client, a library software company, requires a new Product Manager to define and deliver new enhancements to the company's core products. You will be the product expert for... Library Software Engineer – SaaS Our client, one of the world’s leading information services provider, is looking to recruit a Library Software Engineer, to join their Global Software Services team. This team is committed to... Special Sales Manager (freelance, home-based) Our client, a fast growing independent non-fiction book publishing company seeks a capable Special Sales Manager to develop its UK non-trade sales activities. This is a newly created position... (Senior) Acquisitions Editor A leading academic publisher is looking for Acquisitions Editors to commission books across a variety of scientific areas and disciplines.  If you have experience of identifying and recruiting... Publishing Director – STM, OA Journals Our client, a leading and growing not-for-profit STM Open Access journal publisher, is expanding and recruiting a new Publishing Director, to join its multidisciplinary OA Journals team. Industry  ...

LISTINGS

LISTINGS

Head of Publishing Sales Company: Effective Personnel Solutions Location: London Salary Description: Excellent senior salary and benefits  Closing Date: TBC Operations Manager (maternity cover) Company: Atwood Tate Location: London Salary Description: up to £35,000  Closing Date: TBC Editor in Chief Company: Inspired Selection Location: London Salary Description:   Closing Date: TBC Digital Development Editor Company: Inspired Selection Location: Oxfordshire Salary Description:   Closing Date: TBC HENI E-Publishing Manager role Company: HENI Publishing Location: London Salary Description:   Closing Date: TBC Digital Marketing Executive Company: Joffe Books Ltd Location: London Salary Description:   Closing Date: TBC Head of Publishing, Ebury Partnerships Company: Penguin Random House Group Location: London Salary Description:   Closing Date: TBC

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Latest headlines for the book industry Now open: advertise in the Buyer's Guides. Click here to get in touch.

May 22, 2020

MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts

LATEST NEWS Booksellers concerned over opening date delay as Amazon ramps up Booksellers are becoming increasingly concerned that the UK government still hasn't given them a definitive opening date, as Amazon's business starts to return to normal. 'Bun fight' for autumn as publishers move new titles A number of big releases from the larger publishers have been moved into August and September’s schedule, meaning there may be numerous Super Thursdays this year. Clinton and Patterson team up for second novel Former US president Bill Clinton and thriller giant James Patterson are teaming up again to co-write their second novel together, The President's Daughter. Peppa Pig and Ladybird join Covid-19 fight with new book Ladybird is releasing a new Peppa Pig book about doctors and nurses with 10% of the print book r.r.p. going to coronavirus charities. MJ wins auction for 'nerve-shredding' Middleton debut Michael Joseph has acquired When They Find Her, an "emotional" and "nerve-shredding" debut about a mother who has lost custody of her young daughter.  #Merky Books launches pocket-sized 'How To...' series #Merky Books is launching a new non-fiction series of "How To..." guides this autumn, commissioned by editor Lemara Lindsay-Prince. Bonnier pre-empts Nealon debut in six-figure deal Bonnier Books UK imprint Manilla Press has pre-empted an “exquisite” coming-of-age tale from debut Irish author Louise Nealon in a six-figure, two-book deal. Avery leaves William Heinemann for Tate Publishing William Heinemann and #Merky Books editorial director Tom Avery is joining Tate Publishing as its new publishing director. Hodder pre-empts Shanghai-set retelling of Romeo and Juliet Hodder & Stoughton has acquired These Violent Delights by debut author Chloe Gong, a "Romeo and Juliet" retelling set in 1920s Shanghai. German booksellers share experiences of reopening shops Germany is acclimatising to a ‘new normal’ as bookshops reopen across the country and customers start to return. Faber to publish O'Hagan's sixth novel, Mayflies Faber is set to publish Andrew O' Hagan's latest novel, Mayflies, this autumn. Evaristo, Criado Perez and Whitehead on Orwell Prize shortlists Bernardine Evaristo, Caroline Criado Perez and Colson Whitehead are among the authors to make the Orwell Prize shortlists for its political writing and fiction awards.

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Latest headlines for the book industry Now open: advertise in the Buyer's Guides. Click here to get in touch.

May 21, 2020

MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts

LATEST NEWS Government sets up Cultural Renewal Taskforce The government has announced a Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help the creative sector bounce back from the coronavirus crisis—but no current representative of the book trade has been appointed. Nibbies to hold virtual ceremony on 29th June The British Book Awards, the annual celebration of the best books, bookshops and publishers, will return on 29th June with a virtual ceremony open to all. Rayner and Muse launch Bookselling Research Network Two academics with a background in bookselling are launching the Bookselling Research Network, an organisation bringing booksellers, researchers and associations together to celebrate and explore bookselling past, present and future. Puffin snaps up Tom Fletcher's fourth middle-grade novel Puffin will publish Tom Fletcher's fourth middle-grade novel, The Danger Gang, illustrated by Shane Devries, this autumn. HarperCollins owner News Corp donates £100k to charities for coronavirus effort As part of its annual Giving scheme, HarperCollins parent firm News Corp has donated £100,000 to four UK and Irish charities focused on supporting communities struggling during the coronavirus crisis. Audible Charts: Michelle Obama reigns supreme Michelle Obama's Becoming (Penguin) has returned to the Audible weekly chart number one, after the Netflix docuentary following her book tour dropped. Sandi Toksvig to publish 'charming' almanac with Trapeze Toksvig’s Almanac 2021, "an eclectic meander through the historical year" from the writer and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig, has been acquired by Trapeze to publish this November. Cape bags two on Encore Award shortlist Two books from Jonathan Cape are on the shortlist for the £10,000 RSL Encore Award for the best second novel of the year. Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist announced The shortlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize for newcomers to children's picture book illustration has been announced, featuring a pair of Two Hoots titles. Bradshaw launches literary agency to help crack open 'London-centric' industry Sophie Bradshaw, former non-fiction publisher at The History Press, has launched a new literary agency and editorial consultancy, drawing on her 17 years’ experience in the industry. Verso sees revenue growth in lockdown Verso has reported a rise in global sales, with a 300% increase in its e-commerce profits, in this year's first quarter. Olivia Colman to narrate Robert Webb novel for Audible Oscar winner Olivia Colman will narrate the audiobook version of Robert Webb's debut novel Come Again, reuniting the pair nearly 20 years after they first starred together in hit sitcom “Peep Show”.

The Bookseller Group Bookseller Media Ltd | Floor 10 | Westminster Tower | 3 Albert Embankment | LONDON | SE1 7SP Switchboard: 0203 358 0360 Subscriptions: 01371 851879

Latest headlines for the book industry Now open: advertise in the Buyer's Guides. Click here to get in touch.

May 20, 2020

MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts

LATEST NEWS Strong growth for Bloomsbury's adult division, as coronavirus buffets sales April 2020 year‐to‐date revenue at Bloomsbury Publishing has fallen just 3%, the company has reported as part of its full-year results announcement, with print revenues at 87% of last year’s sales and academic digital revenues up by over 52% year on year. ACE 'just saved indie publishing', say presses Indies The Bookseller has contacted have spoken of their "huge relief" after receiving funding from Arts Council England's £160m emergency coronavirus pot, though for many the grants are not a "fix-all". Lee Child's Midnight Line named UK's most borrowed library book Lee Child's The Midnight Line (Bantam Press) is the UK's most often loaned library book of 2018/19 while Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins) tops the first e-book listing using Public Lending Right (PLR) data. Bookshops need to 'build resilience', Thornton warns Booksellers need to start “building in resilience” now for a possible second virus spike later in the year by embracing technology and phasing their re-openings, Mark Thornton has warned. Hutchinson to publish Bananarama memoir Hutchinson has acquired Bananarama's memoir Really Saying Something in a "strong" six-figure deal, and will publish this October. Joe Wicks' Wean in 15 toddles to charts top spot Joe Wicks' Wean in 15 (Bluebird) has star-jumped into the UK Official Top 50 number one spot according to Nielsen BookScan. Nurse Christie Watson writes second book for Chatto Chatto & Windus has bought another book from Christie Watson, nurse and bestselling author of The Language of Kindness (Chatto). Amazon Charts: Wicks and Rooney score a hat-trick For a third week running, Joe Wicks' Wean in 15 (Bluebird) and Sally Rooney's Normal People (Faber) have topped the Amazon Charts' Most-Sold categories for the week ending 17th May. John Cleese's 'practical and amusing' book on creativity to Hutchinson Hutchinson has acquired a book by John Cleese offering advice on the nature of the creative process. French publishers warn of 'severe and lasting damage' from pandemic The French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’Edition, SNE) said on Tuesday (19th May) that the Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted “severe and lasting damage” to French publishers. Mirror Books to publish Martin and Shirlie Kemp's love story Mirror Books has acquired Martin and Shirlie Kemp's joint autobiography in a world rights deal to publish this October. Cowan joins DK to lead Life DK has appointed Katie Cowan as publishing director at Life, following Mary-Clare Jerram’s retirement reported earlier this year.

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Latest headlines for the book industry Now open: advertise in the Buyer's Guides. Click here to get in touch.

May 19, 2020

MORNING BRIEFING Where the news comes first Home | News | Blog | Jobs | Charts

LATEST NEWS Libraries to adopt 'safety first' approach for July reopenings Libraries are preparing to reopen on 4th July with a “safety first” approach, backed by a toolkit from Libraries Connected and a greater confidence in their digital services. Jenny Parrott pens lockdown thriller for Hodder Hodder & Stoughton has acquired Stay Home, a "twisty, timely" commercial thriller from Point Blank publishing director Jenny Parrott, who will be writing under the name Ava Pierce. Virtual events should 'mirror the real world', says Orion's Wilding Maura Wilding has urged publicists and marketing teams to think about "mirroring the real world" when organising online events. PRH field sales director Faiers retires, Dougall steps up PRH UK field sales director John Faiers is retiring after a 33-year publishing career, while Elspeth Dougall will step up to a new role following his departure. Andrew Sharp launches publishing consultancy Andrew Sharp, former rights director at Hachette Children’s Group, is launching a new publishing consultancy, drawing on his 24 years' experience in the book trade. Deacon leaves Amazon for Bookouture Laura Deacon, currently editorial director at Amazon Publishing, is joining Bookouture in August as publishing director. Wartime diaries of Churchill's daughter to Two Roads Two Roads has acquired the wartime diaries of Winston Churchill’s youngest daughter, Mary, following a three-way auction. Bluebird signs Facebook lockdown activities group founder Balkind Bluebird has signed a book from history teacher Claire Balkind whose Family Lockdown Tips & Ideas Facebook group has racked up 1.1 million followers in less than a month. MacDougall's dog walking memoir to Bonnier Books UK Bonnier Books UK has acquired Kate MacDougall's story of the dog walking business she founded in her mid-twenties, London’s No1 Dog Walking Agency.  cOAlition S confirms price transparency requirements for OA International research funding consortium cOAlition S has confirmed the price transparency requirements it will be requiring all publishers to adhere to from July 2022. Granta wins auction for Hyde's Second World War debut Granta Books has acquired lecturer Alex Hyde’s first novel, Violets, in a four-way auction. Reynolds and Blanchett join in Roald Dahl YouTube fundraiser series The Roald Dahl Story Company has brought together filmmaker Taika Waititi and a host of stars including Ryan Reynolds and Cate Blanchett for "James and the Giant Peach, with Taika and Friends", a story-telling series on the Roald Dahl YouTube channel.

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