Waterstones says it can't pay living wage, as 1,300 authors support staff appeal

Managing director says book chain ‘simply not profitable enough’, as Sally Rooney, Val McDermid and other authors write to protestMore than 1,300 writers including Kerry Hudson, David Nicholls, Sally Rooney, Michael Rosen and Val McDermid have backed a campaign for Waterstones booksellers to be paid the living wage.The support follows a petition from staff at Waterstones, signed by more than 6,000 people, which calls on the book chain’s managing director, James Daunt, to pay booksellers a starting living wage of £9 an hour, or £10.55 for the Greater London area. “Working for a rate of pay that is below the living wage results in booksellers who are stressed, preoccupied and who have little spare time and energy to devote to buying books, reading them, and keeping up with news and trends in the industry – all of which activities are undertaken outside contracted hours, and which many staff consider to be (and are encouraged to view as) integral to their role,” says the petition. Related: Balancing the books: how Waterstones came back from the dead Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #sally rooney #val mcdermid #david nicholls #michael rosen #living wage #book chain #james daunt #spare time

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New Fifty Shades Hits #1, as Vintage Heads to Press for 1.25 Million Copies

In a matter of hours, pre-orders pushed 'Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian,' to the top of the Barnes & Noble and Amazon bestseller lists. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2015: Bestselling Authors Feel the Power of Grassroots

Three bestselling authors discussed how book clubs have helped propel their careers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2015: YA Authors: We’re All Hungry for Diversity

As anyone knows who’s read anything by the five authors on today’s diversity panel, none has ever shied away from controversy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA debates 'power shift' to authors and readers

The theme of the International Digital Publishing Forum conference on day one at Book Expo in New York was “Putting Readers First,” but whether power has shifted from publishers and retailers to readers - asserted in a keynote by Canelo Publishing’s Michael Bhaskar - was quickly challenged by... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Lively BEA

BookExpo America ended its Wednesday–Friday run last week at New York City’s Javits Center before giving way to the consumer-oriented BookCon, held at Javits over the May 30–31 weekend. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, June 1, 2015

This week: Judy Blume's first novel for adults in 17 years, Stephen King's latest, and the absolutely incredible story of Stalin's daughter. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of June 1, 2015

Yumi Sakugawa sells an illustrated life and design book to St. Martin's at auction and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Would You Pay to Read Entertainment News Online? Time Inc. Sure Hopes So

Since Time Inc. became an indepedent publicly traded company last June, executives at the nation's large magazine publisher have tried to convince Wall Street investors that it's quickly transforming into a digital-first media company. It's certainly made strides, introducing video series,... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: A Resource Hub for Indie Authors

Writing can be a lonely endeavor, and self-publishing—without the support of a major house—can be even lonelier. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Announces 'Fair Contract' Initiative

At this year's BookExpo America, the Authors Guild is rolling out its Fair Contract Initiative, a series of commentaries it will publish in the coming months that take a "fresh look at the standard book publishing contract." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Browsing the Booths, Chapter 1

There is a wealth of fresh new book offerings and enticing giveaways waiting for booksellers at the booths of children’s publishers at this year’s show, as well as a hefty roster of in-booth author autographings. Here’s a sampling. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Celebrating Hijuelos—His Work Lives On

The sudden death of Oscar Hijuelos at age 62 in October 2013 was a shock to the literary world. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 26, 2015: Kara Richardson Whitely

Kara Richardson Whitely, author of 'Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds' (Seal Press, 9781580055598), will appear on 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday, May 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Single page of notes wins SF author John Scalzi $3.4m deal

Publisher Tor says ‘we’d be nuts to decline’ 13-book contract, which will include three young adult novels alongside next instalments of Old Man’s War seriesAmerican science fiction author John Scalzi has signed a 10-year, 13-book deal with publishers Tor, which will net him $3.4m (£2.2m).Scalzi... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Annie Stone on Marketing: Just Be a Nice Person

German self-published author Annie Stone advises writers to focus on fan engagement and being a nice, approachable person, than straight forward marketing. The post Author Annie Stone on Marketing: Just Be a Nice Person appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 22, 2015: Sarai Walker

Sarai Walker, author of 'Dietland' (HMH, 9780544373433), will appear on NPR's 'Weekend Edition' on Saturday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Pronoun: Re-branded Vook Promises Authors 100% Royalties

Venerable digital publishing platform Vook is no longer, but has been re-imagined and rebranded as Pronoun — a company that will offer 100% royalties. The post Pronoun: Re-branded Vook Promises Authors 100% Royalties appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Foreign authors warned about book censorship in China

Books translated for the fast-growing Chinese market may be censored without their authors’ knowledge, a writers’ advocacy group reportsA US-based advocacy group is warning Western authors to be vigilant about censorship of their work, which is sometimes done without their knowledge, in China’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Headline deal for 'captivating' debut by Waterstones bookseller

Headline has acquired an “utterly captivating debut novel” by an “exciting new talent” who works at Waterstones. Commissioning editor Emily Griffin bought British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to The Second Love of My Life by Victoria Walters from Hannah Ferguson at Hardman &... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperFiction signs Impulse authors

HarperFiction has signed two new deals with writers discovered through its digital-first HarperImpulse programme. Debbie Johnson and Carmel Harrington were both originally published by HarperImpulse, which digitally published romantic fiction. Johnson has seen success with Cold Feet at... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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