Joanne Harris: We should all celebrate Bookshop Day

Small presses, libraries and independents are all under threat. No one wants to hear their child ask: ‘What’s a bookshop?’On Saturday it is Bookshop Day. My heart always sinks a little when I hear that a day has been set aside to celebrate something I love: it too often feels like being put on a list of exotic endangered species – and indeed libraries, small presses and bookshops are all disappearing fast.When my first book was published, there were no ebooks, no Amazon and most high streets boasted a bookshop. Chains and independents thrived equally – partly because book prices were fixed, which made for a level playing field. But with the demise of the net book agreement, the book world began to change. Independent bookshops could no longer afford to compete. The chains pointed to the free market – until Amazon appeared on the scene, when they themselves began to fall to online competition. Related: Weird and wonderful bookshops worldwide – in pictures Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #book prices #independent bookshops #amazon appeared #joanne harris #small presses #longer afford #free market #online competition

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Government Social Feeds Go Quiet on First Day of Shutdown

While invective about the state of American democracy has reached a fever pitch on social media, several government feeds themselves have gone quiet on the first day of the federal shutdown.Agencies including FEMA, the National Park Service and NASA have stated on their Facebook, Twitter and... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2013-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Dutch Bookshop Goes Goth, In A 15th–Century Cathedral

"Not much is really sacred," Bob Dylan raspily mourned, citing "flesh–colored Christs that glow in the dark" and other choice bits of consumerism as evidence. And now, the Waanders In de Broeren bookshop is open for business inside a 15th–century cathedral. In the small municipality of Zwolle... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kirkus Reviews Celebrates 80 Years with NYC Trip Contest

It may be astonishing that a print publication devoted to book reviews still exists, but it does — and Kirkus Reviews wants to give you a free literary trip to NYC. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Usborne Day for 40th anniversary

Usborne is encouraging bookshops across the nation to take part in Usborne Day on Saturday 5th... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling to revisit Harry Potter's world in new film series

J.K. Rowling will write a screenplay for Warner Bros. inspired by her book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."Warner Bros. is hoping "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has another magic trick up her sleeve.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Macmillan Children's Books hunts for 'Busy Bookshop'

Macmillan Children's Books pre-school imprint Campbell Books wants to feature the UK's... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two new campus bookshops for John Smith

John Smith & Son is to open two new campus bookshops in time for the new academic season next... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Bone Season': the new book earning 'Harry Potter' comparisons

Debut author Samantha Shannon has received plenty of pre-release buzz for her novel 'The Bone Season,' which comes out today. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter' fans share many political views, says survey

A new book by a University of Vermont professor found that 'Harry Potter' fans have similar views on political topics – with a large majority in opposition to the George W. Bush administration. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter' new covers will grace trade paperback versions as of Aug. 27

The new 'Harry Potter' covers, by artist and writer Kazu Kibuishi, were created to honor the 15th anniversary of the US publication of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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App offers Edinburgh bookshop tour

A free app providing a tour of Edinburgh's 53 bookshops has been released onto iTunes. The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book festival celebrates 30 years

The Edinburgh Book Festival, which is celebrating 30 years, is the "largest and best respected literary festival in the world", according to its director. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2013-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Date set for National Libraries Day 2014

National Libraries Day next year will take place on Saturday 8th February 2014. The day will... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter's Diagon Alley: visit on Google Street View

Google has added images of the Diagon Alley set from the 'Harry Potter' movies to its Street View function, allowing users to virtually walk through the magical shopping center. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blackwell’s buys Keele campus bookshop

Blackwell’s has acquired the Keele University campus bookshop from Waterstones, as it... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebury Press signs Harry Redknapp

Ebury Press has signed the autobiography of football manager Harry Redknapp in a two-book deal... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fox stock up 2%; News Corp. holds its own in first day of trading

On the first day of trading as separate companies, Rupert Murdoch's television and movie empire, 21st Century Fox, gained nearly 2% while the publishing company ended the day down 5%.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virago celebrates turning 40

Virago is celebrating its 40th birthday by releasing a free ebook, This is Virago, with... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US sees Father's Day boost

As in the UK, Father's Day weekend in America provided a fillip for both Dan Brown and sales... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Paris Literary Prize Celebrates Unique Art of the Novella

Shakespeare & Co.'s Paris Literary Prize honors novellas written in English by an unpublished author. Judge Rebecca Carter reports on this year's festivities. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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