Latest News from The Bookseller

Publishers must set own policies on remote e-lending Publishers must shape their own policies on allowing their titles to be digitally loaned in libraries, according to Publishers Association c.e.o. Richard Mollet. His comments follow the publication of a report into remote e-lending pilots carried out in four library authorities around the UK, which showed that library and bookshop footfall tended to drop when remote e-lending was encouraged, with no indication that e-lending promoted higher levels of book buying.

Foyles' Birmingham store will be 'model for future' Foyles new c.e.o Paul Currie has said  the company’s new Birmingham store will be its “model of the future.” Speaking at former c.e.o Sam Husain’s retirement party last night (8th June), which also celebrated the first anniversary of the new Foyles flagship store on Charing Cross Road, Currie said embracing the world of "omni-channel" retailing was “no longer a choice but a necessity.”

A look-back on Blackman's reign as children's laureate Authors have been thanking Malorie Blackman on her last day as children’s laureate. Blackman’s two year stint in the position ended yesterday (8th June), with the new laureate being announced at noon today (9th June).

George R R Martin to publish colouring book in US An adult colouring book inspired by the characters and settings of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels is set for publication in the US this autumn. Bantam in the US has acquired The Game of Thrones Colouring Book in a deal for world rights with Kay McCauley at Aurous Inc. In the UK, HarperVoyager publishes Martin's epic fantasy series, but a spokesperson confirmed to The Bookseller it had not picked up the book.

Bloody Scotland Festival to offer free tickets to unemployed The Bloody Scotland festival is to offer free tickets to unemployed people or those on low incomes as part of a scheme to reach new audiences. The festival, which takes place in Stirling from 11th to 13th September, will give away standby tickets on the day of events if there is good availability, defined as there being more than 10 tickets available for sale. If the scheme works festival organisers plan to encourage other festivals to employ something similar.

Usborne shortlisted in business awards Usborne Publishing is shortlisted for one of this year’s Private Business Awards 2015, which celebrate the best companies in the private sector. Usborne is shortlisted for the Private Business of the Year Award alongside market data provider Argus Media, brewery BrewDog and IT solutions provider Kelway.

E-book market share down slightly in 2015 E-book share of the UK book market has decreased marginally in 2015. According to findings from Nielsen Book Research, Steve Bohme, UK research director, said that e-book share was up from one in five to one in three between 2012-2014, but down marginally to 29% in the first quarter of 2015.

Michael Connole joins Quarto as c.f.o. Quarto has hired Michael Connole as its new c.f.o.

Pan Mac acquires Fraser crime family memoir Pan Macmillan has acquired the autobiography of Frank Fraser and his two bank-robber sons Dave and Pat. The publisher bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Mad Frank and Family by Dave and Pat Fraser and Beezy Marsh from Tim Bates at Pollinger Ltd. In Mad Frank and Family, the Frasers will “share the untold story of one of the most prolific and feared crime families in Britain”.

Greer resigns as Bronte Society president following 'internal feud' Bonnie Greer has stepped down as president of the Bronte Society. Greer resigned her post at the society’s annual general meeting on Saturday (6th June). It is believed Greer stood down amid an “internal feud over how to preserve the legacy of the Bronte sisters”, said the BBC. In a series of tweets yesterday Greer, who took a Jimmy Choo shoe to the meeting to use as a gavel, spoke about the Bronte Society.

S&S acquires YA horror debut by Lukavics Simon & Schuster UK has acquired two YA horror novels from debut American author, Amy Lukavics. Rachel Mann, fiction editor, bought World English rights, excluding the US and Canada, from James Wills, managing director at Watson, Little, on behalf of Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media in the US.

Pen Ackerley Prize shortlist revealed Henry Marsh’s Do No Harm (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) is among the books shortlisted for the 2015 Pen Ackerley Prize. The prize, awarded by English PEN in memory of author and magazine editor Joe Randolph Ackerley, is for memoir and life writing.