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

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Could lockdown herald an exciting new chapter for the book trade?'


Lose the Clutter, Find the Spirit: Books on Finding Calm Through Getting Organized

Four new books from spirituality and religion publishers address the practical and spiritual benefits of tossing, reordering, and simplifying. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #finding calm


International Hot Book Properties: Week of January 26, 2015

In this week's roundup of books generating interest around the globe, we look at a new Spanish novel Knopf has just acquired in the States, the new biography of Winston Churchill by London mayor Boris Johnson and an Italian thriller that has just been optioned by a local production company. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #winston churchill #italian thriller


blinkbox Books to close after Waterstones talks fail

Tesco will close its ebooks service blinkbox Books at the end of February after talks with Waterstones to buy the platform broke down. All 60 core staff who work on the blinkbox Books platform are now expected to enter a consultation period over their jobs and are likely to be made... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #exclusive talks #blinkbox books #consultation period #made redundant #ebook platform #bookseller understands


Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, January 28, 2015

A starred review for the powerful story of forgiving a murderer; eminent historian Garry Wills looks at the Catholic Church under Pope Francis. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #forthcoming religion #spirituality books #starred review #powerful story #catholic church #pope francis


Turkish Book Rights Market Buffeted by Currency Fluctuations

Amy Marie Spangler of the AnatoliaLit Agency surveys the Turkish book market and the challenges it faces due to currency and political fluctuations. The post Turkish Book Rights Market Buffeted by Currency Fluctuations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #currency fluctuations


Harper CEO Not Testifying in Latest E-book Price-Fixing Case

In a brief brief order this week, Judge Denise Cote ruled that plaintiffs in a second ebook price-fixing case cannot depose HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Love and the Single Christian: Books Encourage, and Urge Caution

New books from Christian publishers offer hope, advice, and a bit of tough love for singles looking for romance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Trade reacts to Macmillan-Springer deal

Last week’s revelation that Holtzbrinck will partner with Springer to create a new, combined publishing company sprang a surprise on the industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #trade reacts


Book Deals: Week of January 26, 2015

Boudreaux makes Yapa first buy at Little, Brown and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book deals


Yellow Kite to publish Yoga Girl lifestyle book

Yellow Kite, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, has acquired a memoir and lifestyle guide from yoga instructor and Instagram star Rachel Brathen, titled Yoga Girl. Emily Robertson at Yellow Kite bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Philip Sane at Lennart Sane Agency. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #yellow kite #hodder stoughton #lifestyle guide #yoga instructor #emily robertson


Saqi Books Will Once Again Be Publishing in English

The Bookseller reports that Saqi Books will be resume its English-language publishing program with plans to release as many as ten titles per year. The post Saqi Books Will Once Again Be Publishing in English appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #english appeared #saqi books #bookseller reports #ten titles


Frustrations Air Over Rights Center Space at London Book Fair

As the London Book Fair prepares to return to Olympia following its move from Earls Court, the challenge of moving an exhibition of this size has become apparent. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #earls court


'The Terrible Two' writers Mac Barnett and Jory John embark on a whirlwind book tour

The writers reportedly visited 22 schools over the course of one week for their children's book. 'Two' centers on prankster rivals living in the town of Yawnee Valley. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


James Patterson Launches Self-Destructing Book With Help of Mother N.Y.

To promote his new book "Private Vegas," author James Patterson has teamed up with Mother New York to help the novel blow up -- literally.Launching today, for the low price of $294,038, the campaign gives one avid fan the chance to read a hard copy of the book in a mere 24 hours before it... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2015-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #launching today #low price #avid fan #hard copy #web app


American Book Critics Pick Finalist for NBCC Awards

The National Book Critics Circle has selected its finalist for this year's annual book prizes, as well as awards for lifetime achievement and reviewing. The post American Book Critics Pick Finalist for NBCC Awards appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nbcc awards #lifetime achievement


Random House Books buys exploration of memory

Random House Books has bought a “fascinating exploration of the workings of human memory”. Senior editor Harry Scoble acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada), US and exclusive European rights to The Memory Illusion by Dr Julia Shaw from Kirsty McLachlan at David Godwin Associates. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fascinating exploration #kirsty mclachlan


Kim Kardashian's butt missing from book cover

Kim Kardashian West has revealed the surprisingly posterior free cover of her selfie book. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2015-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kim kardashian #book cover


Michael O’Mara Books signs ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris

Michael O’Mara Books has acquired the autobiography of BBC Radio 2 presenter ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris. Lesley O’Mara, m.d., brokered the deal for world rights from Harris. The DJ and presenter has been in the music industry for more than 40 years, with stints on BBC Radio 1. He also presented... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #mara books #world rights #music industry


James Patterson resorts to blowing up new book Private Vegas

James Patterson, already among the world's best-selling authors, plans to shake up the publishing industry with the launch of his new novel, Private Vegas, which will self-destruct within 24 hours. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2015-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #james patterson #publishing industry


Zuckerberg Selects Pinker's 'Better Angels' for Second Book Club Pick

The second pick in the online group, which the Facebook CEO unveiled at the start of the new year, is Steven Pinker's 'The Better Angels of Our Nature.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online group #steven pinker