Turn your passions into prose? Now there's a movel idea

By encouraging the young to publish fan fiction, story-sharing startup Movellas is tackling English children's low literacy levelsLiteracy levels among English young adults compare poorly with those in other industrialised countries, according to an OECD survey last autumn which ranked England a "must try harder" 22nd out of 24 in tests for literacy.Turning this around is a challenge that appeals to Movellas, an online story-sharing startup. Taking to heart the maxim that "reading for pleasure" is vital to a child's educational attainment, the company's founders believe that encouraging young people to write about their passions and share those stories with others can have a positive effect on literacy.In other words, if your daughter's writing One Direction fan fiction on her phone, she could be on her way to an A* at English GCSE. Or, at the very least, a book deal. "Movellian" Emily Baker's 1D-inspired Loving the Band was snapped up by Penguin. Helen Hiorns's The Name on Your Wrist was published by Random House after she won the inaugural young movellist of the year, sponsored by Sony and judged by children's laureate Malorie Blackman.High-profile success stories can help build its user base (200,000 and growing), but Movellas does more than sell the dream of literary fame.When surveyed, 50% of respondents said Movellas had made them enjoy reading more; 70% enjoyed writing more. Importantly, 20% of its users get free school meals (about the national average). Only 25%... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers' co-working space Clean Prose to close

Clean Prose, the London-based writers' co-working space, has announced it is to close as a result of "social distancing and the economic downturn" caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-11 07:15:50 UTC ]
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A Bookstore Turned “Travel Agency”; Chewy Celebrates Very Good Pets: Friday’s First Things First

Welcome to First Things First, Adweek's daily resource for marketers. We'll be publishing the content to First Things First on Adweek.com each morning (like this post), but if you prefer that it come straight to your inbox, you can sign up for the email here. A Bookstore Shocked Fans and Boosted... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2020-05-01 10:45:39 UTC ]
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Here are some of my favorite escapist novels. You may have other ideas. Share them with us.

I like vicarious adventure, so Herman Wouk is at the top of my list. Also, Anne Perry. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-04-30 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Lisa Williamson | 'Every idea I have is about teenagers. It’s such an interesting time'

Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner Lisa Williamson returns with her fourth novel for teens, centring on three friends- and a kidnapped baby Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-24 08:01:36 UTC ]
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How to turn your Kindle on or off: Finding the power button

Turning your Amazon Kindle on and off is as easy as finding the power button—except the location of that button has varied from model to model over the generations. Our handy guide will help you, and we've included photos of a variety of models, working our way from the latest down to some... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2020-04-22 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Ideas are free but art costs and we need help

Sales are down for indie presses, perhaps a collective pot of money would help. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-13 16:40:35 UTC ]
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Brian “Box” Brown Turns to Fiction

The creator's latest graphic title tells the story of a young sitcom actor in the 1980s. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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How 4 Publishers Are Turning Surveys Into Revenue

In a data-driven industry, an age-old product becomes more relevant than ever. The post How 4 Publishers Are Turning Surveys Into Revenue appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-03-24 14:28:37 UTC ]
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Canadian publishers turn to e-book discounts to entice readers amid COVID-19

Some Canadian publishers are offering special deals on e-books in a bid to entertain readers and pay authors during the COVID-19 shutdown. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2020-03-23 09:00:00 UTC ]
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Big-hearted strangers turn Little Free Libraries into Little Free Pantries.

Are you desperately searching for proof that there is, in fact, still goodness in this crazy, mixed-up, pandemic-cowed world? You are? Well then, might I direct your attention to this Chicago neighborhood street corner? Seen in my Chicago neighborhood. Sign says “To help our neighbors affected... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-18 17:26:32 UTC ]
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‘The City We Became’ turns New York’s boroughs into multiracial avatars

N.K. Jemisin’s science fiction novel wastes no time with preliminaries. It’s a ferocious parable of modern race relations. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-03-12 21:01:56 UTC ]
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‘The City We Became’ turns New York’s boroughs into multiracial avatars

N.K. Jemisin’s science fiction novel wastes no time with preliminaries. It’s a ferocious parable of modern race relations. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-03-12 21:01:56 UTC ]
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‘The City We Became’ turns New York’s boroughs into multiracial avatars

N.K. Jemisin’s science fiction novel wastes no time with preliminaries. It’s a ferocious parable of modern race relations. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-03-12 21:01:56 UTC ]
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Do Literary Agents Steal Ideas? What About Editors and Publishers?

Do literary agents steal ideas? Do editors and publishers? Is there any way to protect yourself? Find the answers here. The post Do Literary Agents Steal Ideas? What About Editors and Publishers? by Robert Lee Brewer appeared first on Writer's Digest. Continue reading at Writer's Digest

[ Writer's Digest | 2020-03-11 03:44:03 UTC ]
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Turning libraries into community hubs 'to blame for decline' in use, says Coates

The use of libraries for community activities rather than just as a repository for books has led to a fall in their use rather than an increase, according to a new report by campaigner Tim Coates. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-10 22:33:22 UTC ]
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Mountaineers Books Names New Publisher as It Turns 60

As Mountaineers Books—the independent publisher of outdoor recreation, sustainable lifestyle, and conservation books—turns 60, it shifts around its staff. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-25 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Global revenues dip at S&S but UK business sees 'turning point'

Simon & Schuster’s global revenues for 2019 fell 1% to $814m, with a 7% decline in operating income, parent firm ViacomCBS has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-20 22:25:14 UTC ]
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Hundreds Turn Out to Remember Sonny Mehta

Approximately 500 people filled the Celeste Bartos Forum at the New York Public Library on February 19 to celebrate the life of Sonny Mehta, the legendary editor-in-chief of Knopf and chairman of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, who died on December 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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