‘I’m parking my guilt’: confessions of a celebrity children’s book ghost writer

As an author whose own books never find their way to supermarket shelves, it’s frustrating work – but it puts food on my family’s tableOnce a rare species, celebrity authored children’s books have become stalwarts of supermarket books aisles. Perfect for a grandparent hunting a last-minute Christmas gift, or a parent looking for something that will appeal to a child reluctant to read, books by stars have become the go-to for many. Those buying them might have it in the back of their minds that these “authors” might not have done much of the writing. But that doesn’t matter, does it? As long as the kids are reading, that’s what counts.For children’s authors who do write their own stuff, it’s a little galling. They’d give their hind teeth for a spot on that shelf – and surely they are no less deserving of exposure and recognition. As a writer of children’s fiction, I’ve been known to turn a shade of green, too. But I’m conflicted, because in addition to writing original and mostly unrecognised books for young readers, I also work as a ghost writer. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-16 10:41:27 UTC ]
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'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 ]
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Carnegie medal winner slams children’s book publishers for ‘accessible’ prose

Geraldine McCaughrean, accepting award for Where the World Ends, warned that restricting the language children read risks creating a future underclass who are ‘easy to manipulate’Carnegie medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean has castigated the books industry for dumbing down language in children’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2018: Connecting Children’s Books with Readers

Authors, publishers, and booksellers gathered for a panel discussion on efforts to reach young readers Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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April 2018 Bestseller Lists From China: Young Readers Cheer a Celebrity-Powered World Book Day

The endorsement of a Chinese actor powers Yu Hua's 'To Live' to the top of China's April fiction charts, when fellow celebrities spread the word and young readers hear the call. The post April 2018 Bestseller Lists From China: Young Readers Cheer a Celebrity-Powered World Book Day appeared first... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Montefiore to celebrate the letter in next book

Orion is publishing two books by historian and novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore: Written in History: Letters that Changed the World and a new edition of Speeches that Changed the World. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British Book Awards Include Political Commentary Amid Celebration

The 'Nibbies,' as they're known, combined their usual glamour with a certain amount of politically tinged commentary, Brexit coming in for sharp criticism as the industry's best-performing people and writings were honored at the British Book Awards. The post British Book Awards Include Political... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon US launches subscription service for children's books

Amazon US has launched its first subscription service for physical books - a service called Prime Book Box specialised in children's books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: Amazon Prime Boxes Books for Children, Unicorn Acquires Ronquillo’s ‘Spellbound’

In subscriptions, Amazon's Prime program announces a "Book Box" invitational offer in the United States, as the UK's Unicorn art-book publisher names New Mexico's Fatima Ronquillo to its retrospective club. The post Industry Notes: Amazon Prime Boxes Books for Children, Unicorn Acquires... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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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 ]
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Publisher Katrin Reinmaa on the ‘Sun and Cloud’ of the Estonian Children’s Book Business

Today, only some 30 percent of Estonian children's literature originates in Estonia. Katrin Reinmaa is one of the leading publishers of content for youngsters, in a country where 'books are expensive both to publish and to buy.' The post Publisher Katrin Reinmaa on the ‘Sun and Cloud’ of the... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Offord joins HarperCollins Children’s Books

HarperCollins Children’s Books has appointed Elisa Offord as interim marketing director, covering Alex King's maternity leave. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2018: How Committed Is Canada to Its Writers and Publishers?

Two recently filed lawsuits have intensified the copyright battle in Canada following the country's 2012 Copyright Modernization Act. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At the First European Children’s Bookstore Conference: Warming Up for London Book Fair

In examining common ground between independent booksellers and publishers at Bologna's new bookstore conference, the International Publishers Association's Michiel Kolman previewed some of the tensions to be debated at London Book Fair. The post At the First European Children’s Bookstore... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Best Children’s Publishers of the Year’ Named at Bologna Book Fair

Named in six parts of the world, Bologna's six annual cohort of 'Best Children's Publishers of the Year' is named on the first evening of the book fair. The post ‘Best Children’s Publishers of the Year’ Named at Bologna Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why China’s Children’s Book Industry Is Growing So Fast

In an interview during the Bologna Book Fair, Haiyun Zhao from SAPPRFT and Xueqian Li of CCPPG discuss the rapid development of China’s children’s book publishing market. The post Why China’s Children’s Book Industry Is Growing So Fast appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Istanbul Festival Names 2018 Fellows; Beijing Announces Children’s Book Fair

In the ITEF program's eighth year, 19 professional fellows will meet with players in the Turkish publishing industry. And BIBF is to open its own dedicated children's book fair in Beijing. The post Istanbul Festival Names 2018 Fellows; Beijing Announces Children’s Book Fair appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Angie Thomas wins Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

US author Angie Thomas has been crowned the overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2018 for her debut YA novel, The Hate U Give (Walker Books). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Macmillan Children's Books buys debut World War Two story

Macmillan Children’s Books has bought a middle-grade book about a mouse whose home is bombed in World War Two by debut writer Anna Fargher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Books in China 2018: New Buds Publishing House

Small but beautiful” is our publishing motto, says editor-in-chief Ma Yuxiu of New Buds. “We have scaled down our annual output in recent years, opting instead to focus our resources on creating unique content.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children's Books in China 2018: Joint Ventures in China: The Dos and Don’ts

There are several high-profile joint ventures (JVs) in Chinese children’s books publishing. The earliest was Children’s Fun Publishing, a collaboration between Posts & Telecommunications Press and Egmont Group initiated in 1994. Next came Hachette-Phoenix, which was cofounded by Hachette... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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