The Bookseller

Bloomsbury's first half revenues soar 15% The Bloomsbury Group’s revenues soared by 15% to £72.1m for the first six months of its financial year, helped by J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books which boosted sales in the publisher’s children’s division by 33%.

Early Digital Census results reveal growth in print and e-book sales Print and e-book sales are on the rise, while audiobook sales are seeing rapid growth despite being largely untapped by most publishers, according to early results from The Bookseller’s Digital Census, the annual tracker of the digital transformation run annually ahead of the FutureBook Conference.

Brooke leaves Chatto for Sceptre Juliet Brooke is moving from Chatto & Windus to Sceptre to become its editorial director.

Hodder Children's wins Akala series Hodder Children’s Books will publish a “magical realist Shakespearean series” by hip hop artist Akala following a “hotly contested” auction.

Influx opens submissions exclusively to women of colour Independent publisher Influx Press is to open its submissions exclusively to women of colour in a bid to expand the range of voices and scope of work it publishes.

Irish Book Awards searches for new sponsor David Walliams will be presented with the ‘International Recognition Award’ at this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards ceremony as the prize announces a search for a new sponsor.

Sandstone signs Vagenda co-founder Cosslett's debut novel Sandstone Press has acquired The Tyranny of Lost Things, the debut novel from The Vagenda blog founder Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett which it says will "resonate with the millenial generation".

Trapeze snaps up 'jawdropping' thriller from Ashdown Trapeze will publish an “unsettling thriller” set in Norway from novelist Isabel Ashdown which promises “jawdropping twists and turns”.

Alma Books founders' 'dismay' at Brexit The founders of Alma Books have expressed “shock and dismay” at the "apparent rejection of European values" which has accompanied Britain’s decision to exit Europe, saying that the prospect of the UK closing its borders to the continent is not one they "find easy to countenance".

Granta acquires next Offill novel American Weather Granta Books has acquired a new novel from Jenny Offill, author of the Folio-shortlisted Dept. of Speculation.

Fourth Estate signs O'Neill's contemporary political stories Fourth Estate has acquired 11 political stories about “the way we live now” from Man Booker-longlisted author Joseph O’Neill.