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'


Diana Kimpton: A manifesto for author-publisher relations

In his call for Your five-minute manifesto for FutureBook, The Bookseller editor Philip Jones wrote that part of the planning of our FutureBook Conference this year (4th December at The Mermaid) is "to take this recent history of the book business and reflect on the job still to do." To that... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #recent history #book business


Anti-whaling novel wins top prize at children's book awards

A novel with an anti-whaling message has taken the title of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2015-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book awards #young adults


Down, Up, Down Again: The Diary of a Debut Author

UK author Andrew Shantos tracks the elation, frustration and quantification of the first two months of publication of his debut novel, Dead Star Island. The post Down, Up, Down Again: The Diary of a Debut Author appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-08-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #debut author


Johnston Press claims trading up despite slump in ad revenue

Local newspaper publisher reports operating profits down 4.3% to £27m in first half to 3 July, but digital audience grows by more than 20%Johnston Press has said it has seen an improvement in trading since issuing a warning to investors that sent its shares tumbling last month, although ad... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #7% year #profit warning #ad revenue


Peter James and Pan Mac sign new five-book deal

Peter James has signed a new five-book deal with Pan Macmillan, which includes three more novels in his Roy Grace series. Publishing director Wayne Brookes acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including Canada, to the five books from Carole Blake at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. As well as... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #peter james #five-book deal #pan macmillan #including canada #carole blake


Russian publisher prints books about Putin under names of western authors

Writers consider legal action against Moscow publishing house after discovering series about president circulated in their names. The Moscow Times reportsA Russian publishing house has printed a series of books about Vladimir Putin under the names of prominent western analysts and journalists –... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air August 10, 2015: Kay Wills Wyma

Kay Wills Wyma, author of 'I’m Happy for You (Sort of…Not Really): Finding Contentment in a Culture of Comparison' (WaterBrook Press, 9781601425959) will appear on 'Chris Fabry Live!' on Monday, August 10. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #finding contentment #waterbrook press


Future of digital advertising: consumers and advertisers need a new deal

Free content on the web can only survive if consumers stop using ad blocking software but advertisers need to stop their ‘pay and spray’ approachThe sale of the Financial Times marked an important milestone in traditional media continuing it transformation into the digital world. Many... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital world #publishing world #long time #media businesses


Book Deals: Week of August 10, 2015

Lisa Scottoline re-ups at SMP for six new books, Italian bestseller Alessandro Baricco lands at Europa, Kate DiCamillo teams up with Harry Bliss at Candlewick, and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book deals


PW Asks: Shakespeare, King, and Austen Are Your Desert Island Authors

We asked you what three authors you'd take to your desert island. You said William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Stephen King. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #william shakespeare #jane austen #stephen king #pw asks #desert island


‘Empire of Fear’ Author Shares Inside Story On ISIS

BBC reporter Andrew Hosken builds a comprehensive picture of the Islamic State, their ideology, and what life is like under their regime. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #comprehensive picture #islamic state


After Ditching St. Martin's, Hamilton Lands New Deal at Putnam

Author Steve Hamilton, who made waves earlier this week by essentially firing his longtime publisher, St. Martin's Press, over complaints about its lackluster plans to market his forthcoming book, has signed a new four-book deal with G.P. Putnam's Sons. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #four-book deal #hamilton lands #longtime publisher


Female author submits novel under man's name. You will totally believe what happens next.

Writer Catherine Nichols submitted the opening pages to her novel to 50 literary agents under her own name, and then again using a man's name. Can you guess which name got more positive responses? Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opening pages


Agent reactions 'depend on author gender', claims writer

US writer Catherine Nichols has revealed that she received eight times as many responses by sending out her manuscript to agents under a man’s name than when sending it out under her own name. In an essay for Jezebel, Nichols said she sent query letters to 50 agents under her own name,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Hachette Children’s hires literary scouts

Hachette Children’s has hired Maria B Campbell Associates as literary scouts to the group. Maria B Campbell Associates, which was already acting as a scout for YA imprint Atom Books, will now look for books for imprints Hodder Children's Books, Orchard Books, Orion Children's Books, Little,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #orchard books #brown books #hachette children #campbell associates #literary scouts #orion children #young readers #quercus children


Adult Trade Sales Rose in April

Sales in the adult book segment rose 2.3% in April over April 2014, according to figures released by the AAP. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #figures released


HMH Trade Sales Inch Up, But Profits Fall

Sales in the publisher's trade segment inched up 0.5% in the second quarter, to $37.4 million. But adjusted EBITDA fell to $412,000, from $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #profits fall


KDP author Adler snapped up by Urbane

Independent publisher Urbane Publications will publish the physical edition of the next book from Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing thriller writer Tim Adler, while the author will self-publish the ebook. Matthew Smith, director of Urbane, acquired world rights in all languages for print editions... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #print editions #physical edition


Sunday trading consultation opens today

The government has launched a consultation today (5th August) on plans to give local areas the power to allow large shops to open for longer on Sundays to help compete with online retailers. The government’s department for Business, Innovation and Skills said the reforms would give metro mayors... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online retailers #local authorities #local people #high streets


Oh, the Parties You'll Throw: Celebrating the New Dr. Seuss Book Across the Country

Bookstores across the country threw parties to celebrate the release of the latest, never-before-seen Dr. Seuss picture book, 'What Pet Should I Get?' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #seuss book