Latest news from The Bookseller

Sweden prepares for 'new Millennium' The sequel to Stieg Larsson’s Millennium books, The Girl In The Spider's Web, is the biggest book release in Sweden this year and probably one of the most elaborate book launches in this country in modern times. There is the literary challenge to consider. And the ethical aspect of producing a "sequel" to the late author's trilogy, of course. But, unlike other markets where the book is launched this autumn, it’s the aspect of history you have to consider in Sweden.

Smith joins Hachette as special sales director Megan Smith has been appointed to the new role of special sales director for Hodder & Stoughton, John Murray Press, Headline Publishing Group, Quercus Publishing and Hachette Children’s Group. Smith joins from Penguin Random House, where her most recent role was sales development manager. At Hachette she will set up a special sales unit. She begins her new role on 5th October.

Southampton Council accused of political point scoring over libraries Conservative MP Royston Smith has accused Southampton Council of making a “political point at the expense of constituents” by axing five of its libraries. On Tuesday night (18th August), the council approved plans to shut five libraries in the area in a bid to save £286,000 unless community groups came forward to run them.

Twenty7 Books opens submissions Bonnier fiction imprint Twenty7 Books is launching a 27-day period of open submissions in a bid to find new authors. During the open submissions period, which will start on 1st September and close midnight 27th September, writers can submit a one-page pitch for their manuscript, plus the first 5,000 words. The novel does not have to be finished and all genres will be considered, although the publisher is looking for mass-market bestsellers and the author must be previously unpublished.

Waterstones to host Trigger Mortis interactive experience Waterstones Piccadilly will host a week-long interactive pop-up experience inspired by Anthony Horowitz’s new James Bond novel, Trigger Mortis (Orion). The book is set in 1957, and Horowitz has used original material from Bond creator Ian Fleming. Visitors to the Waterstones Piccadilly experience, which is open from 7th to 13th September, will be transported back to the late 1950s with walls, shelves and tables filled with books, artefacts, prints and memorabilia of the era.

Pictures of the week Artists and illustrators took advantage of some brief good weather to gather for a picnic in the park, and we've got pictures of the event. You can also see images from book launches - one for a new novel and another for a book for teenagers - in our pictorial round-up of the last seven days. Plus, we've got pictures from the first ever Rooftop Book Club hosted by Headline. Take a closer look at what's been happening in publishing in our pictures of the week.

First China Creative Industries Forum held next week London Book Fair and the China Publishing Group (CPG) will hold the first China Creative Industries Forum, which will “celebrate global books and brands that transcend the page to multi-format adaptations”. The guest of honour at the inaugural forum, held on Thursday 27th August, will be Alan Lee, Academy award-winning film conceptual artist and illustrator, who won an Oscar for his work on the film of "The Return of the King". The forum will involve publishers and policy makers from China and the UK.

MI5 spied on Doris Lessing, classified documents reveal MI5 spied on writer Doris Lessing for 20 years, new documents released today (21st August) by the National Archives show. Lessing had her movements monitored, her phone tapped and her mail opened by the British security agency, the documents, which have been classified up to now, reveal.

Self-esteem team campaigns for wellbeing lessons in schools The “Self-Esteem Team”, made up of the three young women behind a new teen guide on mental health, are petitioning the government to incorporate wellbeing exercises into the school day. The Self-Esteem Team, which started up 10 years ago, is made up of Natasha Devon, Grace Barrett and Nadia Mendoza. They have worked in more than 250 schools with 50,000 teenagers, giving advice on mental wellbeing, body image and exam stress, and their book The Self-Esteem Team's Guide to Sex, Drugs and WTFs!?, was published by John Blake Publishing on 6th August.

Publishers and agents set for Brazil trade trip The Publishers Association is set to commence a week-long UK Trade trip to Brazil.   The trip will take place from the 31st August to the 5th September and the UK delegation will consist of both publishers and agents who aim to sell rights to Brazil. Attending the trip will be Anna Watkins, rights manager for Aitken Associates; Elizabeth White, academic and professional rights manager for Bloomsbury Academic and Professional; and Sandra Sawicka, foreign rights agent for Mariacq Scripts Ltd, among others.

Pullman blasts government over status of arts in schools Author Philip Pullman has said the UK is run by “philistines and barbarians” as government plans appear to reduce the status of arts subjects in secondary schools.

Customers should spend '20% in small stores' Consumers should aim to make 10-20% of their purchases at independent shops, Saltaire Bookshop owner David Ford has said. Ford revealed last week that his bookshop based in the West Yorkshire village would close in six months unless trade improved after takings dropped to just £2 a day.