Internet Archive accused of ‘attack’ after making 1.4 million books available The Internet Archive’s move to lift restrictions on 1.4 million books has been branded an “aggressive, unlawful and opportunistic attack” on the rights of authors and publishers by the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Based in San Francisco, the archive has caused controversy by…
French publishers bring in measures to help indie bookshops The two largest French publishing groups, Hachette Livre and Editis, have announced measures to help independent booksellers through the coronavirus crisis. This follows the closure of all shops in France, except for those considered essential, announced on Saturday (14th March) and the total national lockdown now…
Budget 2020: reading tax axed and business rates abolished for year Chancellor Rishi Sunak has abolished VAT on e-books, dubbed the “reading tax”, alongside halting business rates on small businesses for a year. In his budget speech yesterday (11th March), Sunak said VAT would be scrapped on digital books, newspapers and magazines from 1st December.…
Faber unveils new branding Faber has revealed a redrawn colophon and new word mark as part of work to refresh its visual identity following last year’s 90th anniversary. It started working with brand consultancy Wolff Olins last summer to create a new look that would help unite the publisher with its innovations like the Members scheme and Academy. The…
LBF podcast line-up unveiled The London Book Fair (LBF) has unveiled its 2020 live podcast programme, featuring authors including David Mitchell, Lynda La Plante, Cressida Cowell, Janne Teller and Abigail Dean. Returning for the second time after launching last year, live podcasts will record on LBF’s Fireside Chat Stage across the event from 10th–12th March. Kicking…
Dan Brown pens Puffin picture book and composes classical music album Dan Brown has penned a Puffin picture book about the adventures of an orchestra-conducting mouse, backed by a classical music album composed by The Da Vinci Code writer. Francesca Dow, m.d. of Penguin Random House Children’s UK, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Heide Lange at…
Lynda La Plante launches CSI podcast series Bonnier Books UK is launching a new podcast series, “Listening to the Dead”, with bestselling crime author Lynda La Plante and former Met detective Cass Sutherland. The series will explore the secrets of today’s real CSIs and will launch in late February. The series will be six episodes long, over the…
Barnes & Noble pulls Diverse Editions after backlash Barnes & Noble has pulled a series of classic novels reissued with “diverse” covers for Black History Month, after a furious backlash over the choice of books. The books, released in a partnership with Penguin Random House US through the retail chain’s Fifth Avenue store in New York,…
Amazon to receive £3.2m tax rebate after business rates appeal Amazon is set to receive a multi-million pound tax rebate following a legal row over business rates at its Rugeley warehouse in Staffordshire. The online retailer will receive a refund of around £3.2m as a result of changes to the rateable value of the warehouse…
DK unveils major brand redesign DK has unveiled a brand redesign, revealing it is updating its logo and introducing a new tagline – “For the curious”. The publisher also has “a new brand narrative”, declaring that DK “believes in the power of discovery”. “More than ever, DK is committed to creating beautiful and inspirational books,” said…