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Melburnians to make hardcovers easier and cheaper 

Monday, 10 March 2008
Three Melburnians have patented a new book-binding technique intended to make hardcovers more affordable. Called ‘Roylebind', the method involves ‘pre-formed laminated cases that can be printed and embellished and made...

Horror writers to emerge from shadows 

Monday, 10 March 2008
The Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) has announced the shortlist for this year’s Shadows Award for the best Australian horror story of 2007.The finalists are: ‘Between the Memories’ by Matthew...

NZ Post awards finalists 

Wednesday, 5 March 2008
The finalists in the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards have been announced.The twenty titles are: Picture BookThe King’s Bubbles (Ruth Paul, Scholastic NZ) Out of the Egg (Tina Matthews,...

Quote of the week 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
'I am an author. I know this because I have a rejection letter from a publisher that starts "Dear Author".'--Lynne Calder, unpublished writer, writing in last week's Pass It On...

Around the world 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Among the stories added to our Around the World blog in the past week:Authors must be paid for downloads, say publicPearson head sees textbooks becoming 'add-ons'Dr Seuss goes digitalHolocaust 'memoir'...

In Brief 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
ACCC releases details on ARW/Borders decisionThe Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has now released a detailed report on its decision not to oppose any bid for Borders' Australian stores by...

NZ distributor Forrester goes into liquidation 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
In news breaking just as WBN goes to print, New Zealand-based independent book distributor Forrester Books has reportedly gone into liquidation.According to a story posted on an NZ news site, 'nearly 30...

Chilvers to head Dymocks flagship 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Sally Chilvers has been appointed as the manager of the Dymocks flagship store in George St, Sydney.Chilvers has extensive book industry knowledge, having successfully owned and operated the Angus &...

‘Future of Publishing’ survey now online 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
A major survey of publishers, authors and others within the Australian publishing industry is underway. Commissioned by the Australia Council and Copyright Agency Limited and conducted by Bloom Partners, the...

Dunn leaves NSW Writers’ Centre 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Irina Dunn has announced her resignation from the NSW Writers' Centre, where she has been executive director for the last 15 years.Dunn told the centre's management committee that ‘she felt...

Bestsellers this week 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Underbelly: The Gangland War stays at number one again this week as the TV series’ fate in Victoria rests in the hands of three Court of Appeal judges. Real or...

Forthcoming events 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Trade events coming up over the next week, as shown on our events calendar, include: Adelaide Writers Week to 7 MarchSocEds (NSW) AGM, Sydney, 4 MarchLeading Edge Books 2008 Conference,...

RiP Barry Galton 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Australian author and journalist Barry Galton has died aged 72. Galton was known for his books on the history of surf life saving.

RiP William F Buckley 

Tuesday, 4 March 2008
William Buckley, author and founder of the American conservative magazine The National Review, has died aged 82.

Amazon launches currency converter 

Monday, 3 March 2008
Online bookseller Amazon has launched a currency converter on its sites, allowing users to see the cost of items and shipping in their own currency instead of US dollars. The...

‘Exceptionally strong’ year for Simon & Schuster 

Monday, 3 March 2008
Total international revenue for Simon & Schuster increased 10% to US$886.1 million (A$943.4 million) in 2007, with operating income up 29% to US$88.1 million (A$93.8 million). The ‘exceptionally strong' results...

Revenue down but income up at Harlequin 

Monday, 3 March 2008
Total international revenue at Harlequin fell 2% to C$462.7 million (A$498.5 million) in 2007, while operating income rose 7% to C$60.6 million (A$65.3 million). Torstar, the romance publisher's Canadian parent...

Australian talent heads to China 

Monday, 3 March 2008
Seven leading Australian writers will be in China from 9 to 14 March for ‘Australian Writers Week'--an inaugural series of talks, workshops and forums sponsored by the Australian Embassy. The writers--Lily...

Kiriyama finalists announced 

Monday, 3 March 2008
The 10 finalists in this year's Kiriyama Prize have been announced. The Complete Stories by Australia's David Malouf (Random House) and Mister Pip by New Zealand's Lloyd Jones (Text) were...

Libel case prompts Hachette to recall Turner bio 

Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Hachette Livre Australia has announced an urgent recall of actress Kathleen Turner's biography Send Yourself Roses, as a ‘precautionary measure', following legal action taken by actor Nicholas Cage in relation...

Bestsellers this week 

Tuesday, 26 February 2008
The TV series may have been banned in Victoria, but Underbelly: The Gangland War by John Silvester and Andrew Rule has hit number one in both the bestsellers and the...

Forthcoming events 

Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Trade events coming up over the next week, as shown on our events calendar, include: Last day of the Reed Gift Fairs, Sydney, 27 FebruaryClosing date for submission of entries...

RiP Alain Robbe-Grillet 

Tuesday, 26 February 2008
French writer and filmmaker Alain Robbe-Grillet has died aged 85. He helped found the 'New Novel' school in the 1950s and wrote more than a dozen novels and screenplays.