Morning News with The Bookseller

US 'Grey' sells 1.1m in four days The latest instalment of Fifty Shades of Grey has sold 1.1m copies in the US in all formats, Penguin Random House has revealed. Anne Messitte, publisher of Vintage Anchor in the US, said Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian sold 1.1m copies in trade paperback, e-book and audio in the first four days of sale. “This is an astonishing number of books to sell over a weekend and speaks to the engagement and passion readers have for the Fifty Shades books,” said Messitte. Christian’s side of the story is proving to be irresistible.”

CMA probe 'should clean up fake book reviews' Fake reviews are still “rife” in the industry and most authors have been subjected to it, the author who exposed the sock puppetry scandal of 2012 has said. Jeremy Duns was speaking after the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revealed it has launched an investigation into fake online reviews. The body is using its consumer enforcement powers to investigate “a number of companies” in connection with the potential non-disclosure of paid endorsements after hearing about potentially misleading and illegal practices.

Landman and Grill win Carnegie and Greenaway Two children’s books with a historical theme have won this year’s CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, with Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman (Walker Books) picking up the Carnegie, and Shackleton’s Journey by Will Grill (from Nobrow imprint Flying Eye) receiving the Greenaway.

Carnegie winner Landman condemns library closures Tanya Landman, who this morning picked up the CILIP Carnegie medal for Buffalo Soldier (Walker Books), used her acceptance speech to speak out against the closure of libraries, as well as how schools are killing the creative process.

Indies get creative for IBW Indies have sprung into action for Independent Bookshop Week, holding Tiger Tea parties, author readings, summer parties and happy hours. The dedicated week of activity in independent bookshops, co-ordinated by The Booksellers Association, runs from 20th-27th June and is designed to encourage more people to visit and celebrate independent bookshops.

France increases Sunday openings A controversial plan to increase Sunday retail openings is going through French parliament in a wide-ranging economic bill that aims to boost growth and foreign investment. The bill proposes to increase from five to 12 the number of Sundays retailers can trade at the local mayor’s discretion, and to allow outlets in tourist or commercial zones to open every Sunday. Depending on the case, staff will receive double pay, a negotiated bonus or extra time off.

Bonnier Germany drops e-book DRM After days of speculation, Swedish book and media company Bonnier confirmed on Monday (22nd June) that its German publishing operation Verlagsgruppe Bonnier (including Piper, Ullstein, Carlsen, arsEdition, Thienemann-Esslinger and Berlin Verlag) is dropping DRM (Digital Rights Management) from e-books in favour of digital watermarks on July 1st.

Walker acquires YA novel from Curham Walker Books has acquired a new YA novel by Siobhan Curham, author and editorial consultant for Zoella’s Girl Online. Senior commissioning editor Mara Bergmanbought the world rights to The Moonlight Dreamers, about a girl with two fathers, from Erzsi Deak at Hen & Ink Literary Studio.

EIBF unites to defend freedom of expression European booksellers have united to defend the freedom of expression in  "the strongest terms." The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) reaffirmed its "absolute belief in and support for freedom of speech, of publishing and of bookselling" at its annual conference held in Brussels today (22nd June).

Pan Mac acquires Poldark tie-ins Pan Macmillan will this November publish The World of Poldark, an illustrated tie-in to the recent Poldark TV series. The book will explore the characters of Winston Graham’s original Poldark novels, which are also published by Pan Macmillan, as well as the houses and landscapes of Cornwall, where the story is set. It will include interviews with the cast of the TV show and information about costumes, props and locations.

BAFTA seeks writers for children’s film and TV The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is looking for aspiring writers of children’s films and TV shows for its new writing forum. The competition is part of the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum, a long-running initiative which was created to give a platform to undiscovered screenwriters.

Foley debut picked for new commuter book club The Book of Lost and Found by Sarah Foley (HarperCollins, £7.99) is the first title chosen for a new commuter bookclub, which Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is launching in July. For the "Books On The Go" club, developed in partnership with brand specialist mostra, GTR will promote one book per month via digital posters at train stations, including Kings Cross and St Pancras, and via its website and newsletter, plus media channels. The train company has also created a microsite where commuters can read about the book and download a sample chapter.