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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Heartstopper author Alice Oseman: ‘If you don’t have sex and romance, you feel like you haven’t achieved’

The writer and illustrator on turning her ‘weird hobby’ into a bestselling YA series and Netflix hit, the importance of asexual representation and lessons from her fans on love bitesAt 28, the author and illustrator Alice Oseman recently achieved what so many of her peers cannot: she bought a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-19 09:00:53 UTC ]
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We Partied With Padma Lakshmi, Union Supporter, at the National Book Awards

The National Books Awards returned in full force on November 16, 2022 for a night of in-person glitz after two years of virtual ceremonies. In front of white tents where the literati gathered for photos on the red carpet, publishing workers with the HarperCollins Union, standing in the cold,... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-11-18 12:06:00 UTC ]
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Female Authors are Speaking Up, Strengthening Spirits

Female authors reveal honest stories of trauma, the challenges of motherhood, sexual dysfunction, and other rarely-talked about topics in new religion and spirituality books for women. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-18 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Author Marcus Sedgwick Dies

Celebrated children's author Marcus Sedgwick, who was nominated for more than 30 awards, has passed away unexpectedly. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-17 17:42:32 UTC ]
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How To Support the HarperCollins Union During Their Strike

The HarperCollins Union's demands are for better pay, diversity initiatives, and more security for unionized workers. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-17 17:29:17 UTC ]
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Marcus Sedgwick, celebrated children’s author, dies aged 54

Tributes have flooded in for the much-loved writer, who wrote more than 40 books for children and adults including the recent Be the Change handbooksAuthor Marcus Sedgwick, who wrote more than 40 books for children and adults, has died aged 54. His literary agency RCW has confirmed his death,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-17 13:02:14 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Applauds Arrest, Indictment of Major E-Book Pirates

Two Russian nationals are now facing criminal charges in the U.S. for their role in running Z-Library, one of the world's most notorious e-book pirate sites before its domains were seized by U.S. officials earlier this fall. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing

From book fair stands to support for diversity and accessibility, Livres Canada Books is celebrating 50 years of key support for the Canadian book industry. (Sponsored) The post Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-15 15:02:21 UTC ]
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10 Picture Book Biographies of Authors to Show Kids How to Use Their Words

These picture book biographies of authors, including John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien, show children how they can use their words to describe their inner and outer worlds. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-15 11:31:00 UTC ]
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Libraries vs. the Cost of Living Crisis

Llibraries are well-placed to help people deal with some aspects of financial pressure. One Rioter shares how libraries are helping in the cost of living crisis. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-14 11:30:00 UTC ]
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The King is Dead. Long Live the Kingdom.

Beyond Wakanda Forever, comic book writers like Evan Narcisse are extending the reach of the Black Panther’s story. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2022-11-11 10:00:00 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Award Names Longlists: Literature, Children’s Literature, Young Authors

The first three categories' longlists have been released in the 17th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, based in Abu Dhabi. The post Sheikh Zayed Award Names Longlists: Literature, Children’s Literature, Young Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-10 20:55:04 UTC ]
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These famous authors are expressing solidarity with the striking HarperCollins workers.

As you may have seen on Book Twitter today, the unionized workers of HarperCollins are striking to secure a fair contract, livable wages, and a more equitable publishing industry. Some 250 employees—across the editorial, publicity, sales, marketing, legal and design departments—agreed to go on... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-10 19:23:57 UTC ]
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HarperCollins union workers go on strike over pay ‘for as long as it takes’

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[ The Guardian | 2022-11-10 18:03:45 UTC ]
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Sharjah World Book Capital Supports a Fire-Damaged Italian Bookstore

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-08 12:43:42 UTC ]
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Julie Powell, bestselling author of 'Julie & Julia,' dies at 49

Julie Powell was known for documenting her mission to cook every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook, 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking,' on her blog. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-11-01 18:39:54 UTC ]
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“A Ghost Is a Memory.” On Bodies, Belief, and the Places Ghost Stories Live

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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-31 08:57:03 UTC ]
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Hitting the Books: AI could help shrink America's gender wage gap

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[ Engadget | 2022-10-30 14:30:31 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #11 with Malinda Lo, author of 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-26 08:53:11 UTC ]
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