‘It’s quite galling’: children’s authors frustrated by rise in celebrity-penned titles

Keira Knightley is latest star to publish a children’s book, but some say trend pushes aside genuine writers and makes it harder to find great children’s fiction“A modern classic by Keira Knightley” reads the provisional cover of the actor’s debut children’s book, I Love You Just the Same. Set to be published next October, the 80-page volume, written and illustrated by Knightley, is about a girl navigating the changing dynamics that come with the arrival of a sibling.The Pirates of the Caribbean star is the latest in a long list of celebrities to have turned to writing children’s books. McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter have been hovering at the top of the bestseller chart since the publication last month of their latest book The Dinosaur that Pooped Halloween!. Earlier in the year, David Walliams dominated with his newest book Astrochimp. The entertainer has sold 25m copies of his children’s titles in the UK alone, according to Nielsen BookData. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-20 13:00:48 UTC ]
News tagged with: #authors frustrated #trend pushes #genuine writers #provisional cover #80-page volume #girl navigating #changing dynamics #caribbean star #long list #tom fletcher #dougie poynter #bestseller chart #pooped halloween #nielsen bookdata #nielsen #latest book

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘It’s quite galling’: children’s authors frustrated by rise in celebrity-penned titles'


Foyles defies Crossrail works to post festive sales rise

Foyles’ sales were marginally up in value terms in December, despite the mini-chain being hit by a drop in footfall, which it said was a result of adverse weather and roadworks outside its flagship branch on Charing Cross Road in London. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


No, the other Fire and Fury: when books share titles

Before Michael Wolff’s bestseller was the one about the second world war. Its little-known author is not the first to benefit from a nominal muddle …You’d think it would be hard to confuse Randall Hansen’s Fire and Fury, a 2008 military history book with a second world war bomber on its cover,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #david mitchell #cloud atlas


12 Essential Spanish-Language Female Authors

Cristina Rivera Garza, author of 'The Iliac Crest,' highlights 12 essential female authors from the Spanish-speaking world. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #spanish-speaking world


Indie bookshops bullish about 2018 after Christmas sales rise

Indie bookshops are kicking off 2018 with confidence after the majority reported sales rises over the Christmas period, but some some have urged publishers to take more risks and work harder to build authors into brands this year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #indie bookshops #christmas period #urged publishers #work harder


Wilson event will mark 20 years of the Children's Book Tour

Scottish Book Trust will mark 20 years of its Children’s Book Tour this year with an event featuring Jacqueline Wilson and Pamela Butchart. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book tour #pamela butchart


Merger Notes: Two PEN Chapters, and Penguin Random House’s Buy of Rodale

'Never have the voices of writers and their allies been so essential,' says the leadership of the merging Los Angeles and New York City chapters of PEN. And one of the most robust lifestyle-and-wellness publishers in the States is now part of PRH. The post Merger Notes: Two PEN Chapters, and... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pen chapters


Feminism and Feel-Good Stories: A Children's Holiday 2017 Sales Report

Reports from around the country indicate a healthy season for children’s booksellers in particular, consistently citing sales hikes of 10% or more over the previous year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Andrew Carnegie children's book to be released in UK

Independent publisher Pikku is hoping to remind children about the importance of libraries with a new picture book about Andrew Carnegie, who funded more than 600 libraries in the UK and Ireland. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #picture book


Canadian author's own Fire and Fury book surges in sales

A Canadian university professor's book is back on the best-seller list after a decade, thanks to tell-all Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2018-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #canadian author #best-seller list


Ahlberg pens publisher's 'dream book'

Thames & Hudson is publishing a children’s book by bestselling author Allan Ahlberg and illustrator Bruce Ingman about a picture book "going wrong". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #picture book #thames hudson


Ben Miller strikes children’s book deal

Simon & Schuster Children’s UK has signed a two-book deal with actor and comedian Ben Miller. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book deal


Refugee camp story to Faber Children's

Faber Children's has acquired a middle grade novel about children living in a refugee camp by Steve Tasane. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #faber children #middle grade #refugee camp


FCBG gears up for 50th anniversary celebrations

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG) will this year celebrate its 50th anniversary by launching a series of special events and releasing a book about its history. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #year celebrate #special events


Stanton and Tazzyman team up for new title

Egmont is set to publish a collection of new stories by author Andy Stanton this spring, illustrated by David Tazzyman. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Government announces 'hubs' to boost children's literacy

The government will establish 35 country-wide “English hubs” to boost children’s literacy as part of a £5.7m investment. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Author and illustrator donate £1k to library near Grenfell Tower

Illustrator Lane Smith and author Ruta Sepetys, winners of the 2017 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway children’s book awards, are to jointly donate £1,000 to North Kensington Library, the closest library to Grenfell Tower. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #grenfell tower #book awards


‘Operation You,’ an AR and VR-Enhanced Children’s Book Series, Exhibits at CES

At the start of the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show week, California-based Quantum Storey Company exhibits the first title in its 'Operation You' series of children's books that come with augmented and virtual reality enhancements.  The post ‘Operation You,’ an AR and VR-Enhanced Children’s Book... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book series


Philippe Sands to take on English PEN Presidency

Prominent human rights lawyer Philippe Sands QC is to be the new president of English PEN, taking over from Maureen Freely. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #philippe sands #english pen


Author resigns from Brontë Society after Lily Cole made patron

A Brontë expert has resigned in protest of the appointment of supermodel and activist Lily Cole as a patron for the Brontë Society. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bront society


John Murray celebrates 250 years with non-fiction prize

John Murray is launching an international non-fiction prize worth £20,000 to mark its 250th anniversary this year. At the same time, publisher Mark Richards has been given new responsibilities to lead the imprint. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #non-fiction prize #john murray #250th anniversary