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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Publishers Are Lining Up Behind ‘Netflix for Books’ Services. But Why?

On Tuesday, Scribd and Oyster both announced partnerships with Macmillan to bring new titles to their ebook subscription services. But how do all-you-can read platforms benefit publishers? The post Publishers Are Lining Up Behind ‘Netflix for Books’ Services. But Why? appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2015-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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We love the Gruffalo, what other books are great for our bilingual family?

The Book Doctor seeks out books for a German-English couple who want children’s books that reflect their duel heritage I’m German and my wife is English. We are bringing their children up bilingually. I especially like the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture books because they bring... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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January 2015: Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review

Our monthly selection from BlueInk Review, a service which reviews self-published books, uncovers a superb memoir of a WWII concentration camp in Indonesia. The post January 2015: Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookseller Industry Awards to celebrate 'book of the year'

The Bookseller Industry Awards will this year celebrate the ‘book’ of the year alongside the publishers, editors, and retailers who bring the titles to market. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Take The Fast Company News Quiz: Amazon's Reshuffle, Zuck's Book Club, And More

Show how much you know! Here's our quiz for January 9, 2015.What the heck happened this week? Research says that one of the best ways to solidify new information is to be tested on it. Here's a chance to bolster your knowledge of current events—and earn a special emoji badge. Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2015-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Future unclear for Blinkbox books

The future of Blinkbox books is unclear following the sale of Blinkbox movies to TalkTalk today (8th January). Tesco's trading statement for the 19 weeks to 3rd January revealed that Blinkbox had been sold to mobile and internet company TalkTalk, as mooted at the end of December. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair Takes Publishing Course to Singapore

The Frankfurt Book Fair is taking St.Gallen International Publishing Management Course, a 10-day executive training program, to Singapore in August. The post Frankfurt Book Fair Takes Publishing Course to Singapore appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, January 12, 2015

This week: the true story of murder in a 19th-century convent, plus "The Shining" meets "The Abyss." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Doha International Book Fair opens in sombre mood

The attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo cast a shadow over the opening of the 25th Doha International Book Fair in Qatar on Wednesday (7th January). The French ambassador Eric Chevallier received messages of condolence as he visited the exhibition floor, and the Saudi... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zuckerberg's book club pick: 'The End of Power' deals with 'microplayers,' like Hezbollah, hedge funds, and startups

'The End of Power' – a respected, though modestly-selling, nonfiction book – has now been launched to a global audience thanks to Mark Zuckerberg. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of January 12, 2015

Pegasus nabs backlist Korean bestseller and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook founder’s book club choice sends sales rocketing

Mark Zuckerberg’s selection of The End of Power by Moisés Naím sparks ‘seismic change’ in the book’s fortunes, with 18 months’ sales outstripped in daysHow to be a winner: the books that inspire Mark Zuckerberg and other high flyersWhy would Mark Zuckerberg recommend The End of Power? Facebook... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Belarusian publisher on trial for selling books without state registration

Declared ‘extremist’ by repressive regime, Ihar Lohvinau faces heavy fine and the closure of shop described as ‘vital hub for the country’s fragile literary community’An award-winning publisher in Belarus who angered the country’s government by publishing a book containing an image of police... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Holiday Sales Up at Books-A-Million

Books-A-Million reported that total sales for the nine week period ended January 3, 2015 were $129.2 million, an increase of 1.1% over the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales rose 1.2%. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Best Book Gift? A Hand-Translated Title

Working in the book business can make one cynical about giving and receiving books as gifts, but the gift of a hand-translated title was a special surprise. The post The Best Book Gift? A Hand-Translated Title appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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International Books Generating Buzz This Week

A 'Persepolis'-like French graphic novel finds a home in the U.S., a fictionalized take on Jewish banker/art collector Hugo Simon sells in Germany, and a historical debut set in 43 C.E. Britain draws multiple buyers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zuckerberg sets up Facebook book club

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has set up a book club on the social networking site, attracting more than 120,000 likes in three days. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hollande 'revenge' book to be filmed

A film adaptation of a bestselling book by France's former First Lady about her six-year relationship with president Francois Hollande is in development, its producer says. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2015-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mark Coker Reviews 'Exciting' 2014 at Smashwords

In 2014 the number of titles available via Smashwords grew to more than 300,000, and the site now distributes more than 100,000 authors and indie presses. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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