Inside the Australian and New Zealand book industry

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New ONIX 3.0 standards due in September 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
The ONIX Books International Steering Committee has approved plans for a new release of ONIX for Books, Release 3.0, due to be published in September 2008. The outline of the...

Forthcoming events 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Trade events coming up over the next week, as shown on our events calendar, include: Australian Poetry Centre's national festival, 25-27 April, Castlemaine, VictoriaAustralian Publishers Association Annual General Meeting, 30...

RiP Ann Kerr 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Linda Henderson of Booksellers New Zealand writes: It is with deep regret that I have to advise you that Ann Kerr, formerly the accounts manager at Booksellers New Zealand for...

RiP Peta Hanslow 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival volunteer Peta Hanslow passed away on 23 March. Peta had been a supporter of the event since 2005.

Miles Franklin shortlist announced 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
As announced in a WBN special bulletin last Thursday, the shortlist for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award was announced at the State Library of New South Wales on 17...

OUP celebrates 100 years in Australia 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
This week Oxford University Press Australia kicks off a year of celebration for its centenary year. ‘Oxford University Press Australia turns 100 years old this month,' Richard Harms, director--dictionary, trade...

2020 Summit a success: Adler 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
While only one publisher scored an invite to the 2020 Summit, and no publishing-specific idea emerged, the book industry should be pleased with Kevin Rudd’s idea’s forum, says MUP CEO Louise...

SWF announces publishing industry sessions 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
This year’s Sydney Writers Festival will feature over 30 free and ticketed sessions focussing on the publishing industry. David Davidar of Penguin Canada and Will Atkinson of Faber UK will...

Local online booksellers growing market share 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
A new report commissioned by Bookseller+Publisher from internet traffic monitors Hitwise has shown that Australian-based book retail websites are slowly growing their market share to compete against Amazon.‘While Amazon continues to...

No ban on bags 

Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Plastic bags look like they’re here to stay, after an unsuccessful meeting of federal and state environment ministers last week. Despite having made a commitment to phase out plastic bags...

Asialink annouces literary residencies 

Monday, 21 April 2008
Asialink, the University of Melbourne department devoted to strengthening ties with Asia, has announced this year's round of literary residencies. Bonny Cassidy, Linda Jaivin, Emily Maguire, Kierin Meehan, Alice Pung,...

Book of Brisbane to be launched mid-year 

Monday, 21 April 2008
The ten best stories entered in last year's Brisbane City Council's annual writing competition will be compiled into an anthology. To be launched mid-year at the Brisbane Town Hall, One...

Timely recognition for Winch 

Monday, 21 April 2008
Tara June Winch has been shortlisted for the prestigious International Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts initiative. Winch is the only Australian on the list, and one of 19 artists worldwide. The...

In brief 

Monday, 21 April 2008
The Dymocks Literacy Foundation sponsored a ‘Norman Lindsay Festival of Children's Literature' last week at the author's Blue Mountains home. Children and their parents met with authors including Emily Rodda,...

Borders annual results 

Monday, 21 April 2008
Borders' annual report reveals that the international book chain's working capital is down to US$38 million, compared to US$127 million a year ago and US$556 million in 2004. The company is...

New writing prize to honour John Button 

Monday, 21 April 2008
Plans are underway to commemorate the late politician, author and Melbourne Writers' Festival Chairman John Button with a writing prize. To be established in collaboration with the Australian Book Review,...

WA Premier’s Prize now worth $110,000 

Monday, 21 April 2008
The West Australian Premier's Literary Award has become Australia's richest. Re-launched this week, the $110,000 award, now to be known as the West Australian Premier's Australia Asia Literary Award, is now also open...

Movie ticket giveaway closed 

Wednesday, 16 April 2008
After an overwhelming response, 30 WBN subscribers have scored themselves free double passes to see The Edge of Heaven. Look out for more ticket giveaways for subscribers in future.

Around the world 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Among the stories added to our Around the World blog in the past week:'Misha' publisher fights to overturn US$33 million judgementPenguin frontlist goes digitalMore ISBNs needed for new formatsMacmillan pays...

Aussie publishers demand rights at LBF 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
At one of the opening sessions at this year's London Book Fair (LBF), a number of Australian publishers have called for an end to British publishers' insistence on Commonwealth rights,...

In Brief 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
New NZ book review websiteNZ-based Scoop Media has launched The Scoop Review of Books online at http://books.scoop.co.nz. The site, edited by Jeremy Rose, will promote books and authors with reviews,...

Bestsellers this week 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
This Charming Man, the new offering from Marian Keyes--the Irish writer who can do no wrong in the chick-lit world--takes top spot in the Highest New Entries chart this week....

Forthcoming events 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Trade events coming up over the next week, as shown on our events calendar, include: London Book Fair ends today, 16 AprilTo view these and more forthcoming events, and submit...

RiP Greg Dening 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Australian historian and writer Greg Dening who was described an 'inspiring teacher and passionate scholar' has died aged 76.

Giveaway for subscribers: free film tickets! 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Be the first to see The Edge of Heaven - a German/Turkish film that won the Best Screenplay prize and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival....

Shortlist for Kibble and Dobbie Awards announced 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
This year's shortlists for the Nita B Kibble Literary Award for Women Writers and the Dobbie Encouragement Award have been announced.Shortlisted for the awards are:Kibble Literary Award:Sorry (Gail Jones, Vintage) Nights...

Aussie cookbooks score in Gourmand Awards 

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The Gourmand Awards for 2008 have been presented at a ceremony in London, with seven Australian food and wine books receiving prizes, placing Australia ‘in the top 10 countries in...