News: international

French book sales dipped 1.6% last year

The total value of French publishers’ book sales slipped by 1.61% in value from €2,837m to €2,792m last year, according to newly published figures from... Read more

Prescott's historical debut nets 20 international deals

Debut author Lara Prescott’s novel has now been sold into 20 territories, weeks after securing a £1.5m advance for her Doctor Zhivago-inspired tale.... Read more

PRH India buys 'cultural icon' Hind Pocket Books

Penguin Random House India has acquired Hindi-language publisher and "cultural icon" Hind Pocket Books for an undisclosed sum. Read more

Fitzcarraldo takes on first Arabic language author with 'exciting' novel

Fitzcarraldo Editions will publish the “exciting and ambitious” novelist Adania Shibli as its first Arabic-language author next year. Read more

Postal service strikes Irish Book Awards sponsorship deal

Postal service company An Post has signed a three year headline sponsorship deal with the Irish Book Awards. Read more

Suzuma joins the Asia Literary Agency

The Asia Literary Agency has appointed editor and scout Thalia Suzuma as an agent. Read more

US tax ruling 'tremendous victory' for indie booksellers

The Supreme Court in the US has ruled that online retailers are required to pay taxes in states where they have no physical presence in... Read more

'Work of art' library opens at Japan House London

A new library devoted to Japanese culture is opening in London today as part of an initiative to raise awareness of Japanese creativity and innovation... Read more

Louise Sherwin‐Stark appointed c.e.o of Hachette Australia and New Zealand

Louise Sherwin‐Stark, joint managing director of Hachette Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed as chief executive. Read more

US children’s authors campaign against ‘kids in cages’

A group of US authors has raised more than $102,000 (£77,500) to help children in detention camps. Read more

Vida report: 'Dangerous lens' of male bias remains in literary criticism

Vida’s latest survey of gender bias in literary criticism has revealed less than half of publications achieved gender equality, with the New York Review of Books halving... Read more

Photographer at centre of Nobel Prize row charged with rape

Jean-Claude Arnault, the French photographer at the centre of the sexual assault allegations which have led to the postponement of this year’s Nobel Prize in... Read more

Investigation reveals illegal workers making Kindles in China

An investigation has reported that thousands of agency workers who make Amazon’s Echo smart speakers and Kindles in China have been hired and paid illegally.... Read more

Bill Gates in e-book give-away for US grads

Bill Gates has pledged he will give every US college graduate a free copy of a book called Factfulness.... Read more

Explosive report slams Germany's fixed book prices

A critical report published by the Monopolies Commission (Monopolkommission) demanding the abolishment of retail price maintenance for books is creating a stir in Germany.... Read more