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Opinion from The Bookseller and other columnists. To pitch a comment piece email Molly Flatt.

Editor's Letter

Can AI predict the Booker winner? Not likely

Believe the hype around AI if you must, but when asked to predict the future its limitations were plain to see.
READ LETTER IN FULL
Literary events have transformed – here's what we need next

Literary events have transformed – here's what we need next

by Ted Hodgkinson
Ted Hodgkinson looks back on 11 years spent programming literary events at the Southbank Centre.
Are audio originals working?

Are audio originals working?

by Jessica Barnfield
Audible is betting on exclusive content, and Spotify on new ways to access it. Who will win, asks Jessica Barnfield.
AI is changing book discovery – here’s what booksellers can actually do

AI is changing book discovery – here’s what booksellers can actually do

by Simon Young
When a reader asks ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity where to buy a book, make sure they get your answer, writes Simon Young.

Editor‘s Letter

Can AI predict the Booker winner? Not likely

Believe the hype around AI if you must, but when asked to predict the future its limitations were plain to see.
READ LETTER IN FULL
Off brand – redux

Off brand – redux

by Philip Jones
Let’s not underplay things: we helped facilitate Brand’s rise, legitimised his louche persona, and then, when he shifted gear, participated in his rehabilitation.
News for emerging authors: October

News for emerging authors: October

by Maame Blue
A hand-picked digest of news stories from the past month that emerging writers should know about.
Are we boring non-fiction readers into giving up on books?

Are we boring non-fiction readers into giving up on books?

by Sarah Braybrooke
Failing to invest in the unprecedented will make non-fiction irrelevant, argues publishing consultant Sarah Braybrooke.
What happens to literature when publishers embrace A/B testing?

What happens to literature when publishers embrace A/B testing?

by Leya Kos
We might see increasing numbers of books tested like Instagram Trials Reels, says marketer and poet Leya Kos.
Is publishing investing enough in the next generation of audio talent?

Is publishing investing enough in the next generation of audio talent?

by Jessica Barnfield
The success of audio has come from its people, not just its tech, writes Jessica Barnfield.
This is what book discovery looks like, designed by a children's librarian

This is what book discovery looks like, designed by a children's librarian

by October Jones
Librarian October Jones couldn’t find one joined-up resource for kids books – so she created spooky discovery platform Wytchwood Manor.
We need to manage expectations for publication day

We need to manage expectations for publication day

by Tim Relf
Author excitement can all too easily spiral into a fixation which is harmful for mental health, says writer Tim Relf.
Can a book be free if its printer is not?

Can a book be free if its printer is not?

by Raphael Tsavkko Garcia
The V&A’s recent experience with Chinese censorship highlights an uncomfortable truth, writes Raphael Tsavkko Garcia.
‘Everybody comes to Frankfurt Book Fair’ is no longer true. Here’s why – and what we can do

‘Everybody comes to Frankfurt Book Fair’ is no longer true. Here’s why – and what we can do

by Rüdiger Wischenbart
Book fairs must face hard truth about how their business and audiences have evolved, writes industry analyst Rüdiger Wischenbart.
Japanese excrement and a Canadian brace compete for Oddest Book Title of the Year

Japanese excrement and a Canadian brace compete for Oddest Book Title of the Year

by Horace Bent
Deliberations for the 48th The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title of the Year are underway.
Does the ROI of AI really only lie in corporate efficiencies?

Does the ROI of AI really only lie in corporate efficiencies?

by Nadim Sadek
It is time the industry acknowledged that AI can bring genuine value to human creativity, writes Nadim Sadek.
Authors should feel free to focus on their books, not their image

Authors should feel free to focus on their books, not their image

by Elspeth Wilson
Social media is ramping up the pressure for writers to look ’right’, argues author Elspeth Wilson.

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Trade fairs need the trade to show up and be counted

Trade fairs need the trade to show up and be counted

Oct 16, 2026by Philip Jones
The Frankfurt Book Fair was quieter this year owing to the geopolitical situation, but it remained as relevant as ever.
How kids think we can get them hooked on books

How kids think we can get them hooked on books

Oct 14, 2026by Alex Baker
The 11 to 18-year-old members of Igniting Writing offer their advice to the publishing industry, via the group’s founder Alex Baker.
Experimental novels can make better plays than page-turners

Experimental novels can make better plays than page-turners

Oct 9, 2026by Natasha Tripney
The ambiguity and polyphony of Max Porter’s Lanny may well set it up for on-stage success.
An editor's first read must not be outsourced to AI

An editor's first read must not be outsourced to AI

Oct 8, 2026by Adnan Algın
Used too early, AI can suppress the editor’s vital but indefinable early instincts, writes copy editor Adnan Algın.
News for emerging authors: September

News for emerging authors: September

Oct 7, 2026by Maame Blue
A hand-picked digest of news stories from the past month that emerging writers should know about.
American literary agents convene amid opportunity and controversy

American literary agents convene amid opportunity and controversy

Oct 5, 2026by Gayle Feldman
US book agents opened up about current AI use and guardrails at New York’s 2026 People of Publishing conference.
IBC’s 2026 Excluded Voices report shows urgent change is needed

IBC’s 2026 Excluded Voices report shows urgent change is needed

Oct 5, 2026by Claire Linney
DEI statements and mentorships need to become meaningful infrastructure, argues author Claire Linney.
The working-class writers are there, we just can’t hear them

The working-class writers are there, we just can’t hear them

Oct 2, 2026by Richard Benson
Richard Benson, editor of The Bee, explains why publishing more working-class writing matters.
Shelley’s Hachette sidestep is a moment to re-prioritise

Shelley’s Hachette sidestep is a moment to re-prioritise

Oct 2, 2026by Philip Jones
With David Shelley set to be working on new markets and global synergies, along with mergers and acquisitions, the UK should remain in his sights.
AI might kill us, but is that so bad?

AI might kill us, but is that so bad?

Oct 1, 2026by Bonnie Garmus
While the advent of AI has alarmed most writers, Bonnie Garmus argues it has also shone a light on the hubris of humankind.

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