The Bookseller

LATEST NEWS Authors defend W H Smith after retailer named 'worst shop' Authors have waded in to defend W H Smith after the retailer was named the worst shop on the UK high street. Mantel, Saunders, Ondaatje make Man Booker 'Golden Five' George Saunders, Hilary Mantel and Michael Ondaatje are among the names to have been shortlisted for the Golden Man Booker Prize, created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coveted literary award. 'Fine mind and right skills blend' won Bowler Faber post Alex Bowler's "fine and curious mind", and the mix of skills he brought from his previous roles at both Jonathan Cape and Granta, together won him the coveted Faber publisher post, chief executive Stephen Page has said. Banker launches publishing start-up offering novelists £24k salary A new company has launched offering aspiring novelists an alternative to the "traditional" routes to publication: a salary from £2,000 per month to write their novels. Blinkist plans UK expansion Blinkist, a tech start-up that boils down key ideas from non-fiction books in short-form text and audio for users—without publishers’ permission—is planning a UK expansion.  W H Smith to push Price Promise this summer W H Smith has been offering customers money back if they find a cheaper copy of one of their books at a local rival bookshop. Smith tackles Ed Sheeran in next biography Singer songwriter Ed Sheeran is the next subject of celebrity biographer Sean Smith, in a deal for HarperNonFiction. Herron, McDermid, Mina shortlisted for Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year Mick Herron's lauded espionage thriller Spook Street (John Murray), already a CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger winner, has now also been shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (£3,000). Pushkin Children’s signs two after opening submissions Sarah Odedina, editor-at-large at Pushkin Children’s, has acquired two manuscripts after the latest round of open submissions. SoA calls for tax relief on new skills training for authors The Society of Authors is calling for tax relief to be extended to writers undertaking training for new skills in response to a government consultation.  Tiger imprint Stripes buys Michelle Harrison rhyming series Stripes Publishing, an imprint of the Little Tiger Group, has acquired a magical rhyming series by Michelle Harrison.