Latest News from The Bookseller

Lords question government on library closures and Amazon taxation The government has defended its attitude towards the widespread closure of libraries in England during a debate in the House of Lords, with Lord Ashton asserting that he does “recognise the value of the service to local communities”.

HarperCollins to offer indie bookshops £2k grants HarperCollins has launched an Independent Bookshop Initiative 2017 - a campaign to support new and existing independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland.

Anna James signs three book deal with HarperCollins Children’s HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired the debut novel from literary journalist and scout Anna James in a “hotly contested” auction.

Full programme released ahead of FutureBook 2016 The full programme for this year’s FutureBook Conference has been revealed, including speakers ranging from Hachette UK c.e.o. Tim Hely Hutchinson, Mendeley founder Jan Reichelt, Storytel’s Jonas Tellander, Bonnier AB’s chief digital and technology officer Anki Ahrnell, Neon Play founder Oli Christie, the writer and polemicist Andrew Keen, James Whatley, planning partner innovation at Ogilvy & Mather, Jon Anathasiou director of people at HarperCollins UK, and Eva Appelbaum, partner at Digital Talent @Work.

Matt Lucas memoir to Canongate Canongate is to publish the memoir from comedian, screenwriter and actor Matt Lucas entitled Little Me: The A-Z of Matt Lucas, in autumn 2017.

Bob Dylan wins the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature Bob Dylan has won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.

Waterstones appoints new range manager and promotes White Matthew Hennessey has been appointed as range manager at Waterstones.

Bangladeshi publisher Chowdhury shares PEN Pinter Prize with Atwood Bangladeshi publisher, writer and editor Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury (known as Tutul) has been named 2016 International Writer of Courage by Margaret Atwood.

Icelandic writer Sjón named next Future Library contributor Celebrated Icelandic poet, novelist and lyricist Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson, known as Sjón, has been named as the third writer to contribute to Future Library, a public artwork in Oslo, Norway, that aims to collect one original, secret story by a popular writer every year until 2114.

Rowling to write five Fantastic Beasts films J K Rowling has said there will now be five Fantastic Beasts films, rather than three as previously announced.

£10k rights bursary from Deborah Rogers Foundation A new bursary of £10,000 is to be awarded from the Deborah Rogers Foundation, targeting either a publishing rights professional or a literary agent.

Eurospan appoints Ken Rhodes as m.d. Sales and marketing agency Eurospan has appointed Ken Rhodes as m.d.