Latest News from The Bookseller

Alagiah, Weldon and Webb top agents' LBF hotlists The first novel by BBC presenter George Alagiah, the sequel to Fay Weldon's The Lives and Loves of a She Devil and comedian Robert Webb's memoir are among the titles agents are hoping will be the hot books of this year's London Book Fair, while publishers have also been pre-empting and buying at auction a number of big books.

Walker Books launches Studio imprint Walker Books is to launch Walker Studio, an imprint that will produce “books for book-lovers”.

Trade marks the April Fool's date Publishers and booksellers are attempting to revolutionise the industry this April Fools' Day by launching new innovations to shake up the trade.

Transworld wins auction for Ruth Jones novels Transworld has bought two novels from Welsh actress and writer Ruth Jones, in a "major" deal following a 10-way publisher auction.

Janet Ellis on longlist for Desmond Elliott Prize Former "Blue Peter" presenter Janet Ellis is among the 10 authors whose début novels have been longlisted for this year's £10,000 Desmond Elliott Prize.

Protestors refuse to leave Herne Hill's Carnegie Library Protestors have staged a sit-in at Herne Hill's Carnegie Library in a determined bid to keep it open.

Latest VIDA survey charts women in literary magazines The number of women contributors to the Times Literary Supplement dropped slightly in 2015, according to the latest annual survey by research organisation VIDA: Women in Literary Arts. But Granta by contrast saw a small rise in women's writing.

Canongate to publish Michel Faber's poetry on grief Canongate is to publish Undying, a collection of poetry from Michel Faber in which he honours the memory of his late wife.

Mark Rusher leaves Orion Mark Rusher, group marketing director at Orion, has left the company after 15 years.

Colouring is now cool for cats Publishers and retailers are predicting a new trend in books for the summer - colouring books for creative pets.

Chris Brookmyre takes on Caledonian Challenge Novelist Chris Brookmyre and three fellow crime writers are to embark on a 24-mile hike to raise money for charity as part of this year's Caledonian Challenge.

Hot Key pre-empts YA Nazi drama Hot Key, a division of Bonnier Publishing, has acquired a teen novel about a 14-year old seamstress working in a Nazi concentration camp.