How celebrity deals are shutting children's authors out of their own trade

As Frank Lampard, George Galloway and Cara Delevingne land big-money book deals, established writers look on from the fringes – or turn away altogether Another day, another celebrity announces they are to “pen” a children’s book. Already this week, Jamie Lee Curtis has announced a “selfie-themed” tome, Chelsea Clinton a picture book about inspirational women and the Black Eyed Peas a graphic novel featuring zombies.They join a slew of celebs cashing in on a burgeoning market. In the past month, model-turned-actor Cara Delevingne, TV presenter Dermot O’Leary and even politician and professional motormouth George Galloway have joined Frank Lampard, Danny Baker, Julian Clary and Fearne Cotton in vying to be the next JK Rowling. Related: A George Galloway book! Haven’t the kids suffered enough? | Catherine Bennett Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2017-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #inspirational women #burgeoning market #past month #danny baker #fearne cotton #jk rowling

Other Publishing stories related to: 'How celebrity deals are shutting children's authors out of their own trade'


John Burningham, children's author and illustrator, dies aged 82

Burningham, who was married to fellow children’s writer Helen Oxenbury, created beloved picture books including Mr Gumpy’s Outing and Avocado BabyJohn Burningham, the children’s author and illustrator behind some of the 20th century’s most enduring children’s books, has died at the age of 82.The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #john burningham #fellow children #20th century


Authors protest as children's books account for 7% of Christmas newspaper coverage

Authors and critics have called for newspapers to increase the space they allow for children’s book reviews after only 7% of the titles chosen for newspapers’ books of the year round-ups were for kids. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors protest #book reviews #titles chosen


Political chaos in wake of withdrawal deal 'concerning' and 'unacceptable', say trade bodies

Industry bodies have expressed concern over mounting political instability following the publication of Theresa May's long-awaited draft Brexit deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #trade bodies #industry bodies #expressed concern


HarperCollins Children’s renews deal with Rob Biddulph

HarperCollins Children’s has signed a new four-book deal with picture book creator Rob Biddulph. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harpercollins children #rob biddulph #four-book deal


HQ brings together 24 authors and celebrates second anniversary

HQ celebrated 24 of its crime authors with a Crime Fiction Showcase, coinciding with the second anniversary of the imprint. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


OUP Children’s signs debut MG author Julie Pike

Oxford University Press (OUP) Children’s has acquired The Last Spell Breather, a middle-grade fantasy, by debut author Julie Pike. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #oup children


Catherine O’Flynn signs first children’s book deal

Catherine O’Flynn, whose novel What Was Lost won the first novel prize at the Costa Book Awards in 2008, has written a children’s book about two girls who want to be detectives. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book deal


'Every Person in NY': Children’s Author Edition

Artist Jason Polan created sketches of a number of children’s book authors and illustrators during this year's BookExpo in New York City, and we’ve gathered a selection here. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book authors #ve gathered


Writers and publishers trade blows over plummeting author pay levels

Responding to a survey that found the median author income had dropped to £10,500, Publishers Association said the figures were ‘unrecognisable’The Society of Authors has issued a sharply worded challenge to the UK’s biggest publishers after the chief executive of the Publishers Association... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paying writers #publishers association #biggest publishers


Kiwi authors of LGBTQ children's book hope it will bring 'kindness'

After receiving praise from LGBTQ activists across the globe, the Wellington-based authors of LGBTQ children's book Promised Land have released a second book in the series, Maiden Voyage. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2018-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kiwi authors #book hope #receiving praise


US children’s authors campaign against ‘kids in cages’

A group of US authors has raised more than $102,000 (£77,500) to help children in detention camps. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors campaign


'No kids in cages': Children's book authors unite against Trump policy separating families at the border

About 2,000 children’s and YA book authors and their supporters have signed onto a campaign to oppose President Trump's controversial family separation immigration policy under the name "Kid Lit Says No Kids in Cages." The campaign made its appearance Monday on Twitter with a statement signed by... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kid lit


Debut author lands £1.5m publishing deal for 'sensational' historical novel

An American debut author has secured a £1.5m advance for her "sensational" historical novel, with Hutchinson winning the UK rights after a 12-publisher auction.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #5m advance #uk rights #12-publisher auction


BookExpo 2018: Children's Authors Tell Booksellers: 'We Are All Dreamers Here'

Emcee Jacqueline Woodson set the tone right away for Friday morning’s children’s book and authors breakfast at BookExpo, explaining, “Through our narratives, we’re trying to change this crazy world.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #friday morning


Pullman illustrator Chris Wormell signs debut children's deal

David Fickling Books is to publish the first children’s novel by Chris Wormell, the illustator of the covers for Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust – Volume One. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #philip pullman


Trade figures fundraise for author of 'cult swimming classic'

Members of the book trade are supporting author Charles Sprawson with a fundraising iniative to raise money for care fees, as Vintage prepares to reissue his “cult swimming classic” Haunts of the Black Masseur. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book trade #raise money


CLiPPA shortlist celebrates diversity in children’s poetry

The six books shortlisted for this year’s CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA) showcases the diversity of both the poets and the publishers working with the medium, according to the organiser. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #clpe children #books shortlisted #publishers working


Teenage author signs debut deal for 'powerful' YA

Penguin Random House Children’s has acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights to Full Disclosure, a “powerful” YA novel by 18-year-old debut author Camryn Garrett. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #full disclosure


HoZ signs four-book deal through its Aria author portal

Head of Zeus imprint Aria Fiction has signed a four-book deal with Rachel Brimble for her series of novels set in a department store in Bath. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #four-book deal #novels set #department store


Publishing in the Baltic Region 2018: Piret Raud - Estonia's Favorite Children's Author

Piret Raud is one of the leading children's book authors and illustrators in Estonia, having illustrated over 40 books and written 16 Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #favorite children #leading children #book authors