She published her first book in her 40s and became the biggest selling author of the past decade in any genre – The Gruffalo alone has sold 13m copies. How did this former busker make it so big?The room where the children’s author Julia Donaldson writes – the heart of her vast picture book empire – is down a winding staircase, in the cellar of her grand white house in Steyning, West Sussex. Her desk looks out on the street at knee height. “I’m thinking of writing a book about legs,” Donaldson said, as she showed me around the house this summer. Children from the nearby school often wave in at her as they pass. Donaldson is well known in Steyning, due to her frequent signings at the local bookshop. She and her husband, Malcolm, a retired paediatrician, recently bought the local post office to save it from closure. But elsewhere she can walk the pavement without being recognised. “I got a letter the other day for Jacqueline Wilson,” Donaldson told me. “It said: ‘You’re my favourite author!’”If you are not someone who spends much time with young children, you may only be dimly aware of Donaldson’s work – although you will probably be familiar with her most famous creation, the Gruffalo. If you have children, however, you will know her as a cultural juggernaut whose influence among children is perhaps only surpassed by the works of Disney and CBeebies. Donaldson, who is 72, has written more than 210 books: chiefly picture books, but also poetry, plays, a 60-part phonics... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2020-12-17 06:00:31 UTC ]
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Half a million children in 21 countries are joining top children's authors in events to celebrate World Book Day. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2012-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Pottermore has partnered with ebook company Overdrive to bring electronic versions of the 'Harry Potter' series to libraries and schools in five languages. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Your Nottingham Post is kindling a flame among digital newspaper subscribers. The Post is among the most popular newspapers used on the device that's revolutionising reading. The Kindle, the handheld ebook reader that allows users to browse, bu ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As publishers attempt to make online advertising a profitable and engaging business model, real time bidding on Web inventory by prospective clients is becoming more prevalent. Conde Nast launched a private Web ad exchange with AdMeld for select clients in late 2011, and now smaller publishers... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2012-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A story told through the texts of two lovers is up against tales written by bestselling authors... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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France is claiming a world first with its imminent adoption of a new law that lays down the rules... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a world where people increasingly consume their content on multiple platforms—watching TV recorded on their DVR, as well as downloaded to their iPad; reading the New York Times in print Sunday mornings, on their Kindle during the morning commute, then on their desktop at the office—questions... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers may be falling out of love with apps, but they need to fall in love with their... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Night is continuing its international spread, with Germany now set to join the UK... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In 2011, one phrase defined the magazine industry: digital editions. Whether publishers were deciding to take the leap into digitizing their publications, or deciding on what app to develop next, digital was top of mind for publishers of all kinds. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2012-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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News Corp. (NWSA) for the first time publicly detailed bribery by a journalist at its now-defunct News of the World, telling a court that a former editor agreed to pay a prison guard to get a story about a child killer. Matt Nixson, a features edit ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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F+W Media, a Blue Ash, Ohio-based media company serving enthusiasts in about 20 verticals including antiques and collectibles, crafts, writing and horticulture, has acquired World Tea Media, organizer of the World Tea Expo. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2012-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Night in the US has appointed Pulitzer Prize-wining journalist Anna Quindlen as its... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Booksellers Association has welcomed Mary Portas report into the future of the high... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Half of the one million books to be given away on the next World Book Night on April 23rd 2012... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Time Inc, the parent of IPC Media and the US publishing giant behind titles including People and Time, has appointed Digitas global chief executive Laura Lang as its new chief executive. Continue reading at Media Week
[ Media Week | 2011-12-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Time Warner Inc. has picked Laura Lang, chief executive of the digital-ad firm Digitas, to run its Time Inc. magazine-publishing division, according to people familiar with the matter. Continue reading at AllThingsD
[ AllThingsD | 2011-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Financial Times reaches yet another milestone, now boasting one million registrants for its native web app. Apps.FT.com launched in June, after FT decided to go without Apple for its subscription-based app offering. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-11-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Thu, 17/11/2011 - 09:30 Children's laureate Julia Donaldson has welcomed yesterday's High Court ruling against library closures in Gloucestershire and Somerset as "the best news Ive had all year". In a statement given to Somerset group Watchet... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It took some haggling, but Time Warner's publishing unit joins Hearst, Conde Nast and other big publishers on Amazon's new tablet. Continue reading at AllThingsD
[ AllThingsD | 2011-11-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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