Story of ‘bloodthirsty unicorns’ brings debut author record publishing deal

Annabel Steadman’s fantasy series Skandar and the Unicorn Thief has won a seven-figure book contract, with film rights also sold to Sony PicturesA 28-year-old first-time author from Canterbury has landed what is believed to be the world’s largest ever book advance for a debut children’s writer, with a fantasy series about “bloodthirsty unicorns”.Annabel Steadman, writing as AF Steadman, was paid a “major” seven-figure sum by Simon & Schuster this week, following a hotly contested multi-publisher auction for three books in her fantasy adventure series for children, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. Set in a world where unicorns are deadly, and can only be tamed by the rider who hatches them, the series follows Skandar Smith, who is preparing to become a unicorn rider. When the most powerful unicorn in the world is stolen by a mysterious figure, becoming a rider becomes a lot more complicated than Skandar ancitipated. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-09-16 13:34:54 UTC ]
News tagged with: #debut children #fantasy series #bloodthirsty unicorns #annabel steadman #unicorn thief #film rights #first-time author #simon schuster #debut author

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Story of ‘bloodthirsty unicorns’ brings debut author record publishing deal'


Int’l Voices, NBA Authors Star at Miami Book Fair

The Miami Book Fair featured numerous international voices — from Haiti to Germany — as well as all of the 2014 National Book Award winners and finalists. The post Int’l Voices, NBA Authors Star at Miami Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Coffee House Founding Publisher Allan Kornblum Dies

Coffee House founding publisher Allan Kornblum died at his home in St. Paul, Minn. on Sunday morning of complications from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Publishers tussle with Gibb over textbooks

Schools reform minister Nick Gibb has told publishers that England has "once again" fallen behind in the production of world-class textbooks, saying that a critical policy paper issued by Tim Oates of the Cambridge Assessment Group "should send shock waves through the education system and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers tussle #told publishers #tim oates #education system


Britain's Next Bestseller signs real-life stories

Crowdfunding publishing initiative Britain’s Next Bestseller has offered publishing deals to three British women for books inspired by their own struggles in life. Britain’s Next Bestseller published Ria Frances’ Inflicted in paperback for £8.99 and as an ebook in September 2014 and Cath... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #british women #books inspired #breast cancer


Angry Robot signs Strange Chemistry author

Angry Robot has signed an author previously published by its now closed YA imprint Strange Chemistry. Danielle L Jensen first released Stolen Songbird with Strange Chemistry, which Angry Robot will now republish, followed by Hidden Huntress in June 2015, the second title in the planned... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #angry robot #strange chemistry


The State of Licensed Publishing in 2014

Executives overseeing licensed publishing programs are, like publishers in general, monitoring the impact of digital technologies on their businesses and dealing with a challenging and competitive retail landscape. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #licensed publishing #digital technologies


Google to Help Publishers Make Money by Blocking Ads

Google, the biggest seller of online ads, has created a way for publishers to make money without ads.Google on Thursday introduced an invitation-only crowdfunding program called Contributor that lets people pay $1 to $3 each month to visit sites devoid of ads. The Onion, Mashable, WikiHow, Urban... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #actual ads #biggest seller #make money #ad blocker


Authors on the Air November 21, 2014: James Patterson

James Patterson, author of 'Hope to Die' (Little Brown, 9780316210966) and 'House of Robots' (LBYR, 9780316405911), will appear on NBC’s 'Today' on Monday, November 24. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #james patterson


Preston: 'Authors United will fight on'

Campaign group Authors United will continue its “efforts to persuade” the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department in the US to look into Amazon’s market practices, saying there are "still many open questions about Amazon's market power". The group was set up by American author Douglas... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors united #antitrust division #justice department #open questions #market power #ebook terms


Book Deals: Week of November 24, 2014

Pearson creates ‘Distress’ at Norton and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book deals


November 2014 Top Self-published Book Reviews from BlueInk Review

The November 2014 selection of self-published book reviews from BlueInk Review includes paranormal fiction, young adult fiction, self-help and health. The post November 2014 Top Self-published Book Reviews from BlueInk Review appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #blueink review


Mackenzie: Publishers don't take 'disproportionate profit'

Publishers are not taking a disproportionate amount of profit from book sales, Little, Brown’s c.e.o. Ursula Mackenzie has said, and it is important that they remain healthy. Speaking at a Society of Authors (SoA) panel on hybrid authors, Mackenzie defended publishers from criticism by audience... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers don #book sales #ursula mackenzie #hybrid authors #audience members #make money


Former Belle & Sebastian band member signs YA deal

Hot Key Books has acquired two titles for teens from Stuart David, a founding member of the band Belle & Sebastian. Editor Naomi Colthurst bought world rights for Jackdaw and the Randoms and a further untitled Jackdaw book from agent Joanna Swainson at Hardman & Swainson. Bass player... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #stuart david #founding member #hardman swainson


BiblioBoard, Bestselling Authors Partner on Library E-books

Dubbed the “Indie Rock Stars” module, the program will launch with the participation of some 90 authors, and will include at least 18 New York Times bestselling books and more than 30 award-winning novels. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library e-books


Oyster Debuts Online Literary Journal

Oyster, the ebook subscription service, is launching the 'Oyster Review,' an online literary journal that will publish original material on books and writing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Self-publishing’s vices and virtues

Research has taught me three main weaknesses in this new way to issue books, but also revealed some less acknowledged strengthsAlmost any discussion of self-publishing seems to attract an immediate hostility quite unlike the amused tolerance that greets those who, say, exhibit their indifferent... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #traditional industry


Barbie Author ???Scared to Open??? Email After Book Labeled ???Sexist???

Barbie has been an astronaut and doctor, but when it comes to programming, she just needs a man's help, according to a children's book. Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air November 20, 2014: Jessye Norman

Jessye Norman, author of 'Stand Up Straight and Sing' (HMH, 9780544003408) will appear on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' on Thursday, November 20. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #jessye norman #late show


The 10 Premium Publishers Hit Hardest by Fraudulent Ad Sellers

Buyer beware: Ad analytics platform Pixalate says fraudulent ad networks are increasingly joining open, real-time-bidding (RTB) marketplaces and then selling brands fake space on premium sites like YouTube, The Weather Channel and Yahoo. While the victims think their messages will appear on the... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2014-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #asian countries #detailed explanation


BookMachine Brings Together Veterans from Planet Startup

BookMachine convened pros in New York for a public forum to talk about how a writer can navigate the maze of ebook publishing, self-published or otherwise. The post BookMachine Brings Together Veterans from Planet Startup appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #public forum #ebook publishing