Trade 'frenzy' over second Harper Lee novel & other news from The Bookseller

Trade 'frenzy' over second Harper Lee novel The surprise second novel from Harper Lee, set for release this summer over 50 years since To Kill a Mockingbird was published, will be “the most sure-fire hit of the century” according to Waterstones.

Food blogger Woodward sets number one record Healthy eating advocate and blogger Ella Woodward has claimed the number one spot on the Official UK Top 50 this week. Deliciously Ella (Yellow Kite) sold 32,144 copies in the week ending the 31st January and is the highest first week sales figure for a debut food and drink writer since Nielsen BookScan records began in 1998.

Penguin is PRH's 'biggest social media brand' Consumer-facing book and author related content from Penguin Random House will move to Penguin’s social media channels from the end of today because it is the company’s “biggest brand on social media”. Corporate news for audiences such as the press, authors and agents will be shared on new Penguin Random House-branded YouTube and Twitter channels, as part of the changes.

Perrett to leave HarperCollins HarperCollins' group digital director Nick Perrett is to leave the publisher later this month. Perrett, who began at HarperCollins in October 2012, will be leaving on 20th February to pursue a new opportunity. Executive children's publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh will now take on day-to-day running of the digital team, in addition to her current role. Perrett will support her in the role over the next month through the transition.

Amazon tool converts print into e-books Amazon customers in the US can now convert their print titles into Kindle books with a software package called Kindle Convert. Currently available in the US for computers running Windows 7 and 8, the software helps users to scan in pages of their print books, converting the image into usable Kindle files which will include features such as adjustable font size, dictionary look-ups, and Whispersync text-to-voice conversion.

Library protests planned for Cardiff while Lincolnshire confirms cuts Protestors in Cardiff will use National Libraries Day this weekend to raise awareness of cuts facing the city's library service. Campaigners in Birmingham have already announced their own plans to protest on the day, forming a human chain "hugging" the threatened Library of Birmingham.

Milan Kundera novel set for June Milan Kundera's first novel in 12 years will be published in English this June. Faber will release The Festival of Insignificance, translated from the French by Linda Asher, on 18th June. C.e.o. and publisher Stephen Page acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in the novel in a deal with Sarah Chalfant at the Wylie Agency. The book was first published in Italy in 2013, and has so far been released in Spain, Germany and France. HarperCollins will publish in the US this summer.

Digital publisher Readership uses Minecraft to promote books Readership, a digital book publisher “controlled by readers”, will use Minecraft to promote the books on its site. Readership launched on 27th January 2015, with the premise that it was “created out of a desire to see more publishers embedding themselves in online culture”. Its website reads: “We’ve seen what communities across the digital world can achieve – particularly when they’re passionate about something – so we’ve created a space that embraces that passion and gives readers the ultimate say in what gets published.”

Daunt Books acquires collection from award-wining Orr Daunt Books publishing has acquired the debut collection of short stories from BBC National Short Story Award shortlisted K J Orr.  Publisher Laura Macaulay bought British Commonwealth rights in the collection, titled Light Box, from Cathryn Summerhayes at WME.  Macaulay said: "Daunt Books is delighted to be publishing Light Box – a thrillingly original collection from an exciting new talent. Orr has a deft eye for life’s uncanny moments, and her exquisitely cadenced storytelling always packs an emotional punch."

Lossius joins Midas board George Lossius, former c.e.o. of Publishing Technology, will join the Midas PR agency board as a non-executive director. Lossius, who stepped down as c.e.o at Publishing Technology in March 2014, brings over 25 years’ publishing experience to the role. Prior to the formation of Publishing Technology in 2007, Lossius was the group c.e.o of Vista, which merged with Ingenta to create “the world’s largest supplier of software solutions and services to the publishing industry,” according to Midas.

Hutchinson to publish charity title on fathers and sons Bono, Colm Tóibín, Paul McCartney and Salman Rushdie are among the big names contributing to an anthology about sons and fathers, as part of a joint venture between Hutchinson and The Irish Hospice Foundation. Jason Arthur, publisher of Hutchinson, Heinemann and Windmill, agreed a joint-venture deal with The Irish Hospice Foundation for world rights, excluding Ireland, in the book, titled Sons + Fathers. Literary agent Ed Victor took the book to Penguin Random House and it will be edited by writer and editor Kathy Gilfillan.