Debut novel attracts advance of ‘close to US$2 million’
In the US, a debut novel has sold at auction for ‘close to US$2 million’ (A$2.14 million) after a bidding war in which 10 publishers bid more than $1 million...
Angelou, Diaz and Hastings receive 2013 Mailer Awards
Writers Maya Angelou, Junot Diaz and the late Michael Hastings were honoured at this year’s Norman Mailer Center gala, which was held at the New York Public Library on 17...
International Library News
November LibraryReads list released In the US, LibraryReads has released its November list, a monthly ‘top 10’ of forthcoming adult books compiled by librarians across the country. Bellman & Black...
McDonald’s to distribute self-published books via Happy Meals
In the US, fast-food chain McDonald’s will place 20 million copies of four books into Happy Meals during the first two weeks of November to coincide with National Literacy Day...
NZ authors selected for 2013 International Writing Program in Iowa
Two New Zealand authors have been selected for the 2013 International Writing Program in Iowa City in the US. Whiti Hereaka and Craig Cliff are among 31 writers attending the program,...
Bowker reveals 422% increase in self-published titles since 2007
In an analysis of US ISBN data, Bowker has revealed that 391,000 self-published titles were published in 2012, which is an increase of 59% over 2011 and 422% over 2007....
International Library News
American Library Association to open Center for the Future of Libraries In the US, the American Library Association (ALA) will establish a Center for the Future of Libraries with a...
Australian books featured in New York Library’s top 100 children’s books
Shaun Tan’s The Arrival (Lothian) and Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and illustrated by Judy Horacek (Puffin) are featured on the 100 Great Children’s Books list published...
Editor’s picks: Andrea Hanke’s summer reads
Andrea Hanke shares her serious summer reads. While I enjoy a breezy rom-com as much as the next person, the prospect of several days of uninterrupted, beach umbrella-shaded reading time...
First Book initiative launches ‘global marketplace’ project
In the US, not-for-profit book distribution organisation First Book has launched a new ‘global marketplace’ project, reports Publishers Weekly. First Book, which currently provides books and resources for schools and...
International library news
Penguin US ebooks available to libraries through OverDrive again Libraries in the US can now access Penguin ebooks through OverDrive, more than 18 months after the publisher announced that it...
US Booksellers Association announces affiliate program with Biblio.com
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) has announced a new affiliate program with Biblio.com, an independent online bookstore that specialises in used and rare books, reports Publishers Weekly. Participating ABA members...
Penguin Random House US announces united fulfilment team
In the US, Penguin Random House has announced the creation of a management team to combine the two publishers’ fulfilment operations, reports Publishers Weekly. Penguin Random House US president and COO Madeline...
Patterson pledges US$1 million to US indies
Bestselling author James Patterson has increased his ongoing support of the book industry by pledging US$1 million (A$1.07 million) to US independent bookstores, reports the LA Times. Patterson, who made headlines earlier this...
National Book Foundation announces Young People’s Literature, Poetry longlists
In the US, the National Book Foundation has announced the longlists for the Young People’s Literature and Poetry categories of this year’s National Book Awards. Ten titles are in the...
‘The Rosie Project’ tops October LibraryReads top 10 in the US
In the US, The Rosie Project by Australian author Graeme Simsion (Text) has topped the October list for LibraryReads—a monthly ‘top 10’ of forthcoming adult books compiled by librarians across the country....
National Book Foundation announces this year’s ‘5 Under 35’
In the US, the National Book Foundation has announced the writers selected for this year’s ‘5 Under 35’ program, and for the first time in the program’s eight-year history, the...
Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Awards 2013 winners announced
In the US, the six winners of the 2013 Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Awards have been announced. The awards, which are each worth US$30,000 (A$32,499), are presented to women who...
Doctorow, Angelou to receive National Book Foundation medals
In the US, the National Book Foundation will present the 2013 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to E L Doctorow and the 2013 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary...
US publisher launches ebook-bundling program for entire list
In the US, publisher PM Press has launched an ebook-bundling program for its entire list, reports Publishers Weekly. The Paperback Plus! program offers customers a free ebook edition with nearly...