Could lockdown herald an exciting new chapter for the book trade?

The pandemic has thrown publishing and booksellers into crisis – and left customers struggling to obtain books when they most want them. But some in the industry sense an opportunity to drag it into the 21st centuryOn 18 March, Emma Corfield-Walters received the news that for the second year running, her shop, Book-ish, in Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons, had landed the title for Wales in the regional round of the independent bookshop of the year award. Corfield-Walters has run Book-ish for 10 years. It has 16 staff and a cafe, is the base for a literary festival that she also organises, and is credited with having played a major part in the regeneration of Crickhowell’s award-winning high street. Above all, it is a highly successful business: 2019 was a record year. The fact that it would now again be a contender for the overall prize – to be announced in June at the British book awards – was for Corfield-Walters a hard-earned affirmation of a decade’s passion and work.But she was hardly celebrating. Britain was then five days from lockdown. “It was surreal,” she says. “We’d won best bookshop in Wales, yet I wasn’t sure for how much longer I’d have a shop that people could visit. It was like that scene in Star Wars when the walls are moving in, and the room’s getting smaller and smaller. The goalposts were shifting every day. At first, we thought: OK, we’ll buy hand sanitiser! But by the weekend, it was clear the shop would have to close.” Her first thought was for her... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-10 08:00:20 UTC ]
News tagged with: #year running #major part #record year #star wars #huge relief #signed copies #bookshop #british book #literary festival #independent bookshop

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Trajectory To Distribute Macmillan, MIT Press E-books in China

Trajectory has partnered with Chinese mobile carrier Xiaomi to bring ebooks into the Chinese digital book market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PRH Acquires ‘Book of Joy’ by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Tutu

The two spiritual leaders will collaborate on the book to share their perspectives on joy and achieving a meaningful life. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: Oberlin Prof’s Debut Draws Seven Figures

On the eve of the London Book Fair, DeSales Harrison has struck literary gold. The Oberlin College professor’s debut novel, 'The Waters & the Wild,' has sold to Kate Medina at Penguin Random House for seven figures. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AWP 2015: Publishing Pros Point Toward Careers in the Book Biz for M.F.A. Grads

A group of publishing professionals from Riverhead, Graywolf, the National Book Foundation, and Coffee House Press, talked to AWP attendees about the promises and pitfalls of pursuing a career in publishing in a panel sponsored by PW. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Poland’s Book Market Has Big Potential, Many Challenges

IPR License and agent Lucy Abrahams look at the Poland, one of Europe's dynamic developing book markets, one with huge potential but also many challenges. The post Poland’s Book Market Has Big Potential, Many Challenges appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Wrestlers in cars and elephants on wheels: Mexican illustrated children's books – in pictures

In the first of our new A world of illustration series, we share a selection of illustrations from Mexican children’s books – and celebrate this year’s Mexican focus at the London Book Fair Continue reading... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: At Digital Minds, Publishers Urged to Experiment, and Learn

The seventh annual Publishing for Digital Minds Conference kicked off the London Book Fair, with the main exhibits officially opening on Tuesday. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AWP 2015: The Art and Business of Writing Children's Books

Although AWP 2015 focused on literature written for and by adults, children's authors held their own at the conference and presented their ideas about how to best publish for Middle Grade and YA readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Women Buy Books, Men Review Them

VIDA's annual survey of literary publications found that book reviewing and literary coverage is still dominated by men. The post Women Buy Books, Men Review Them appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gay penguins on disputed book list

A picture book about two male penguins raising a baby penguin again features on a list of books to have received the most complaints from library users. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Solitude for Random House Books

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Phoenix Yard to publish colouring book series

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meet the Authors and Illustrators Behind These Books: Children's Institute 2015

A list of the most recent books by writers attending the author reception, the Scholastic Meet & Treat party, and/or the opening reception with members of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, cosponsored by PW. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, April 13, 2015

This week: our future in space, Chigozie Obioma's wonderful debut novel, and new Amelia Gray. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of April 13, 2015

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Trade pays tribute to Ion Trewin

Tributes have been paid to a “true friend” of literature, Ion Trewin, who died yesterday (8th April) at the age of 71. Trewin, who was literary director of the Booker Prize Foundation, was diagnosed with untreatable cancer last October. He leaves behind his wife Sue, son Simon, who is head of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: In Pre-Fair Deals, Debut Sells to Knopf for Rumored 7 Figures

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Audio Book Club Learns How to Be Both

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[ Slate | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Associated Press Debuts Book Line

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sweeney Named Editorial Director of Franciscan Media Books

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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