Latest News from The Bookseller

Hachette UK first quarter sales down 5.2% Hachette UK sales were down by 5.2% in the first quarter, due to lower e-book sales.

Contract terms debated at BEA A Big Five c.e.o. advocating for a flat rate royalty across formats? A long-established independent publisher defending the Big Five? Both happened when Authors Guild president Mary Rasenberger convened a panel with Hachette Book Group c.e.o. Michael Pietsch, Grove Atlantic president Morgan Entrekin, and New York lawyer Jonathan Lyons, to discuss the Guild’s Fair Contract Initiative.

Orion's Kate Mills moves to HQ Orion publishing director Kate Mills is to join HarperCollins in the newly created role of publishing director of HQ.

US indie bookshop numbers soar The news coming from the American Booksellers Association at BEA is that there’s been a net increase of 660 independent stores since 2009 – a reflection if ever there was one of the growing power of localism in the US.

SoA groups blast government rules on teaching writing Members of the Society of Authors say current government policy on teaching children writing is destroying their enjoyment and creativity.

Writer Sally Brampton dies Author and agony aunt Sally Brampton has died.

Scottish Book Trust makes changes to children’s prizes Scottish Book Trust is replacing its annual Children’s Book Awards with two new prizes; the Bookbug Picture Book Prize and the Scottish Teenage Book Prize.

Illustrator asked to change 'stereotypical' cultural images A Swedish illustrator has claimed his publisher threatened to remove his books from sale if he did not change “stereotypical depictions of other cultures” in his books.

Ursula Doyle and authors celebrate Fleet "It's a little bit like marrying myself," commented publisher Ursula Doyle [pictured] at the launch party for her new imprint, Fleet, at the Horse Hospital arts venue in The Colonnade, Bloomsbury.

Wahaca founder cookbook to Guardian Faber Guardian Faber has signed Home Cook by Wahaca co-founder and Guardian weekend columnist Thomasina Miers.

Sandstone's Norwegian detective bound for TV Sandstone author Jorn Lier Horst has partnered with Norway's Cinenord and Danish production company Good Company Films to bring the protagonist of his novels, Chief Inspector William Wisting, to TV.

Satirical novel on British tabloids to HoZ Head of Zeus is to publish The Beast, an "extraordinary" satirical novel by Alex Staritt.