Latest News from The Bookseller

Barefoot Books cuts UK operations Barefoot Books is reducing its number of UK titles, closing its Oxford bookshop and putting a stop to its ambassador programme, the publisher’s co-founder has confirmed. Tessa Strickland, who is also editor-in-chief, said the company has decided to focus on its core business, which is “publishing multi-cultural picture books”. The Oxford studio, which consists of a bookshop and events space, was “somewhat of a time-consuming distraction”, she said.

IPG becomes member of PLS The Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) has become a member of the Publishers Licensing Society (PLS), meaning IPG members will now have a stronger voice in the area of collective licensing and the management of rights. The IPG will be the first new member to join the society since it was established in 1981. It is hoped that having access to the collective licensing funds is liklely to make a significant difference to indie publishers' bottom line financial results, The Bookseller understands.

Smith credits Goldsmiths Prize with changing publishing Author Ali Smith has said the Goldsmiths Prize, which is now in its third year, has encouraged publishers to take risks. The prize, awarded to bold and inventive fiction, was won by Smith last year for How to be Both (Hamish Hamilton). Smith said of the prize: “The change it’s made is that publishers, who never take risks in anything, are taking risks on works which are much more experimental than they would’ve two years ago. “That to me, is like a miracle. And that’s the Goldsmiths Prize.

Oyster's business model was 'deeply flawed' The chief executive of e-book subscription service Bookmate has said Oyster was "killed" by publishers who feared the challenge it posed to their existing e-book business models. Following the announcement earlier this week that rival e-book subscription service Oyster is to close next year, Simon Dunlop, c.e.o of Bookmate, added that its business model was "deeply flawed".

Sales and publicity changes at PRH Ireland Penguin Random House Ireland is to bring all publicity for Penguin, Random House and DK publishing in-house, with sales moving to one integrated team, and Michael McLoughlin appointed as m.d. of the business.

Haynes sees profits tumble Haynes Publishing Group saw an 11% revenue drop for the 12 months to end May 2015 at £26.1m, down from £29.3m the year before. Adjusted EBITDA at the car manuals publisher was down 20% to £8.7m (£10.9m in the year to end May 2014) while operating profit fell 35.5% to to £3.1m (from £4.8m). Haynes issued a profit warning last December, citing "soft" trade and tighter inventory controls from retailers.

Last chance to book children’s conference tickets The children’s publishing world has only 24 hours left to book tickets to this year’s Bookseller children’s conference, which is taking place next Tuesday (29th September). The day, themed around the idea of growing the children’s market by invention and reinvention, covers four key areas: building children’s brands, the next stage of print growth, knowing and growing your IP, and from users to readers.

Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation launches To celebrate the "historic milestone" of the release of Wilbur Smith’s 36th novel Golden Lion Smith and his wife Niso have launched the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation. Golden Lion was released today (24th September) and is the latest instalment of Smith’s “epic” Courtney series. The Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to “empowering” young writers from across the globe, “championing” the adventure writing genre and the promotion of literacy.

Quercus Children's integrates into Hachette Quercus Children’s will formerly integrate into the Hachette Children’s Group 1st January 2016, as Niamh Mulvey leaves the children’s team to join Quercus' adult department. The children’s division, which already operates from the Hachette building in London, is led by its publishing director Roisin Heycock, who recently returned from maternity leave. She will report to Hilary Murray Hill, Hachette Children’s Group c.e.o.

Campbell in 100-poem-challenge for Book Bus Jen Campbell, author of Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops and The Bookshop Book, bookseller and YouTuber, has pledged to write 100 poems in 48 hours to fundraise for the Book Bus, a charity that serves communities in Africa, Asia and South America with mobile libraries.

Valley Press awarded £50k ACE grant A Scarborough-based independent publisher has won nearly £50,000 grant from the Arts Council England (ACE) Valley Press, which publishers 12 titles a year across poetry, fiction and non-fiction has been awarded a £49,443 grant in National Lottery funds from ACE. The publisher was founded in 2011 by English literature graduate Jamie McGarry with funding from the Prince’s Trust and has around 70 titles in print.

HoZ acquires biography of the Black Prince Head of Zeus has acquired rights to a 'major' biography of King Richard III entitled The Black Prince. Richard Milbank, publishing director for non-fiction at Head of Zeus, bought world rights to The Black Prince by Michael Jones, from Charlie Viney at The Viney Agency. Jones has written on the battles of Bosworth, Agincourt, Stalingrad and Leningrad and is co-author, with Philippa Langley, of The King’s Grave: The Search for Richard III. The Black Prince will be published by Head of Zeus in September 2016.