Category: News

News

Uncover History’s Treasures: Exclusive Overnight Retreat at St Paul’s Cathedral’s Hidden Library

Experience an extraordinary overnight retreat at St Paul’s Cathedral, marking a special occasion in celebration of World Book Day. For the duration of just a single night, two very lucky guests will have the unparalleled, and enviable, privilege of residing within the cathedral’s secret library. Guided by the faint glow of candlelight, guests will traverse through the hallowed halls, entering through the discreet threshold of … Continue reading Uncover History’s Treasures: Exclusive Overnight Retreat at St Paul’s Cathedral’s Hidden Library

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New Research Reveals £830m Literacy Crisis Impacting Early Years Development and Economy, Calls for Urgent Intervention

New research led by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and commissioned by KPMG UK, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust (NLT), reveals a “literacy crisis” fueled by a lack of early years language and communication support. The economic impact is staggering, estimated at £830 million per school year group. Each year, approximately 106,000 five-year-old children in England fail to meet literacy standards but could with … Continue reading New Research Reveals £830m Literacy Crisis Impacting Early Years Development and Economy, Calls for Urgent Intervention

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Rare Harry Potter Book Bought for 13p Sells at Auction for £11,000

A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, bought for 13p, sold for £11,000 at auction. Purchased in 1997 along with two other books, it became a valuable item due to a mistaken author name listing and the Harry Potter phenomenon. The seller, who bought it from a second-hand store, was pleasantly surprised by its unexpected value. Continue reading Rare Harry Potter Book Bought for 13p Sells at Auction for £11,000

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fiction, News

11-Year-Old Author with Autism Sells 700+ Space Books, Donates £1,000 to Charity

An 11-year-old boy from Northampton, Aston, has become a sensation for selling more than 700 copies of his book, “Things About Space.” Aston, who has autism and ADHD, wrote the book when he was just eight years old, with an accompanying audio version to help neurodivergent children and those who struggle with reading. Aston’s family donated £1,000 from the proceeds to UK Astronomy. The book’s … Continue reading 11-Year-Old Author with Autism Sells 700+ Space Books, Donates £1,000 to Charity

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Royal Society of Literature Faces Scrutiny: Authors Call for Charity Commission Review Amid Controversies

The Royal Society of Literature is facing criticism from prominent authors and its own fellows, leading to self-referral to the Charity Commission. Criticisms include concerns about changes in the election process for fellows, postponement of their annual magazine, and lack of public support for Salman Rushdie. An independent investigation has been called for. Continue reading Royal Society of Literature Faces Scrutiny: Authors Call for Charity Commission Review Amid Controversies

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The Book Hive Named One of the Best Book Shops in the UK

An esteemed Norwich-based independent bookshop has earned recognition as one of the finest in the United Kingdom. Faber, an internationally renowned publisher, recently honoured the establishment located on London Street, dubbing it the bookshop of the month in a recent editorial feature. In their appraisal, Faber lauded the BookHive as a quintessential “Norwich institution.” During an interview with the publisher, a representative from the shop … Continue reading The Book Hive Named One of the Best Book Shops in the UK

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TikTokers Drive Surge in Popularity of Sarah J Maas’s “romantasy” Novels, Boosting Bloomsbury’s Success.

Bloomsbury, the publisher, has raised profit forecasts due to the success of Sarah J Maas’s “House of Flame and Shadow”. The book’s “romantasy” genre propelled it to bestseller lists globally. Bloomsbury anticipates pre-tax profits to surpass estimates, driving shares up by 10%. Maas’s rising popularity on social media led to a multi-title deal with the company, reflecting her enduring appeal. Continue reading TikTokers Drive Surge in Popularity of Sarah J Maas’s “romantasy” Novels, Boosting Bloomsbury’s Success.

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California Court Partially Dismisses Two Copyright Lawsuits Against OpenAI Related to Books

OpenAI faces legal battles from comedian Sarah Silverman and novelist Paul Tremblay over alleged copyright infringement related to training its ChatGPT model. A federal judge in California dismissed several claims, citing lack of similarity between works and ChatGPT’s output. However, allegations of unfair competition law violation remain. The case involves authors including Michael Chabon and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Continue reading California Court Partially Dismisses Two Copyright Lawsuits Against OpenAI Related to Books

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News, non-fiction

Royal Family Issues Warning After Removal of King Charles’ Cancer Books

Amazon removed AI-generated books speculating on King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, criticized by Buckingham Palace as intrusive and inaccurate. The Royal Family’s legal team will scrutinize the matter. Despite the King not disclosing his illness, he addressed the public, emphasizing the positive impact of sharing his diagnosis on raising cancer awareness and supporting affected families. Continue reading Royal Family Issues Warning After Removal of King Charles’ Cancer Books

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Charles Darwin’s Complete Personal Library Contents Revealed for the First Time

A dedicated team led by John van Wyhe has unveiled Charles Darwin’s extensive personal library, comprising 7,400 titles and 13,000 items. The collection shows Darwin’s eclectic taste, multilingualism, and engagement with various subjects. It includes unique finds, such as a copy of Elizabeth Gaskell’s “Wives and Daughters,” shedding new light on his scholarly legacy. Continue reading Charles Darwin’s Complete Personal Library Contents Revealed for the First Time

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Authors are auctioning autographed books to generate funds for children in Gaza who have undergone amputations

Israel’s prolonged offensive on Gaza, now spanning 125 days, has resulted in devastating consequences, with over 11,500 Palestinian children dead and tens of thousands more injured. The situation is dire, with an average of ten Gazan children losing limbs daily, and over 1,000 children undergoing amputations since October. Due to Gaza’s strained healthcare system and severe shortages of medical supplies and personnel, many of these … Continue reading Authors are auctioning autographed books to generate funds for children in Gaza who have undergone amputations

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fiction, News

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas Reaches Top of the Beatseller Chart

In the UK, the tale of a half-fairy, half-human woman has captured the hearts of readers this week, propelling a novel featuring the hybrid heroine to the top of the bestseller list. “House of Flame and Shadow” by Sarah J Maas, the third installment in the Crescent City series starring Bryce Quinlan, has swiftly become one of the fastest-selling science fiction and fantasy titles since … Continue reading House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas Reaches Top of the Beatseller Chart

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News, non-fiction

Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, is penning a book detailing her role as his caregiver following his diagnosis with dementia

Emma Heming Willis is poised to share her profound journey as a caregiver in an upcoming book chronicling her husband Bruce Willis’s battle with frontotemporal dementia. Set to be released in 2025 through Maria Shriver’s publishing imprint, the Open Field, the untitled book aims to serve as a beacon of support and enlightenment for those traversing similar paths. In an interview with Shriver’s newsletter, the … Continue reading Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, is penning a book detailing her role as his caregiver following his diagnosis with dementia

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HarperCollins Global Revenues Grow 4% Thanks to Higher Digital Sales

HarperCollins experienced a 4% growth in global revenues, reaching $550 million (£436 million) in the three-month period ending on December 31, 2023, compared to the corresponding period last year. This increase was primarily attributed to the surge in digital sales, particularly in audiobooks, which also benefited from improved return rates. News Corp, the parent company, reported a notable 67% rise in EBITDA, reaching $85 million … Continue reading HarperCollins Global Revenues Grow 4% Thanks to Higher Digital Sales

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Spotify says it has paid audiobook publishers ‘tens of millions’ in royalties

Spotify has compensated audiobook publishers with “tens of millions” through its Premium subscription, stressing “100% royalties.” The Society of Authors (SoA) expressed concerns about transparency in the deals, while Audible faces competition fears. Spotify credits exponential sales growth to its competitive payout structure, but the SoA emphasizes the need for clarity and separate notation of Spotify revenues. Continue reading Spotify says it has paid audiobook publishers ‘tens of millions’ in royalties

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