News: international

2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year's Commonwealth Short Story Prize has been announced, and features 20 entries from countries across the Commonwealth. Read more

US print sales stay stable amid lockdowns

Physical books sales in the United States are holding up in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with NPD BookScan reporting that 166.9 million units had... Read more

Germany's bookshops to reopen next week

German booksellers will be permitted to reopen their shops from next Monday (20th April). Read more

Italy gives bookshops permission to reopen

Italy, the country worst affected so far by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, is allowing bookshops to reopen. Read more

Times Literary Supplement offers free advertising to indies

The Times Literary Supplement is offering free advertising to independent bookshops in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.... Read more

Winners of the 2020 Sheikh Zayed Book Award announced

The winners of the lucrative 2020 Sheikh Zayed Book Award have been announced, with literary UK Banipal Magazine winning the publishing and technology category. ... Read more

IPA and PA call for industry solidarity to weather the coronavirus crisis

The International Publishers Association and the UK's Publishers Association have both urged the book trade to pull together to overcome the economic impact the disruption of the coronavirus will bring, while... Read more

Jonathan Ball Publishers acquires Icon Books

Jonathan Ball Publishers has bought indie Icon Books, in a move that will see representatives from both companies form the management team. Read more

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... Read more

French publishers make staff part-time to secure government assistance

Major French publishers are making their staff part-time under new measures announced by the government to help companies survive the lockdown imposed to fight the Covid-19... Read more

Dohle: PRH to maintain 'very cost and cash-conscious approach' in wake of pandemic

Penguin Random House c.e.o. Markus Dohle has warned staff the publisher may need to tighten its belt in its approach to publishing facing "the difficult times ahead".... Read more

EIBF appeals to governments to support booksellers during crisis

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) has highlighted the enforced closure of brick and mortar bookshops amid the coronavirus crisis is putting the book trade in a... Read more

Woody Allen memoir released in US by indie Skyhorse

Woody Allen's memoir has been released by US indie Skyhorse Publishing after the title was dropped by Hachette Book Group. Read more

Barnes & Noble warns of potential cuts if stores close due to coronavirus

Barnes & Noble boss James Daunt has sent a letter to staff warning of potential lay offs if stores are closed due to the coronavirus.... Read more

English PEN calls for release of Ahdaf Soueif after coronavirus protest arrest

English PEN has called for the release of Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif, who was arrested during a protest about the treatment of prisoners during the... Read more