Latest book news from The Bookseller

Indie bookshop numbers fall again in 2014 The number of independent bookshops in the UK fell once again last year, with nearly 50 high street bookshops closing in 2014.  The number of indie members of the Booksellers Association fell by 48 in 2014, to 939 indies. The 2013 figure (987) was a watershed moment for the industry, as it was the first time since records began that indie numbers had fallen below 1,000.

Settle appointed c.e.o. of libraries task force Kathy Settle has been announced as chief executive of the Leadership for Libraries task force. Settle is currently director for digital policy and departmental engagement in the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Cabinet Office. She will begin the new role in April, while continuing in her current role until late summer. The task force met for the first time earlier this month, chaired by the chief executive of Northamptonshire County Council, Paul Blantern.

SuperAwesome: 'authorship is changing' Publishers should realise that the idea that authors are writers coming up with stories in their garden shed is no longer true, says Dylan Collins, c.e.o. of SuperAwesome, a digital company that bills itself as the “biggest kids’ marketing platform in the world”.

ALLi to launch bookshop campaign during LBF The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) is to launch a new campaign aimed at bookshops during the London Book Fair. Called Authors for Bookstores, the campaign will launch at the Indie Author Fringe Festival, which will be held on 17th April at Foyles’ Charing Cross Road flagship. ALLi founder and director Orna Ross (pictured) said the organisation saw getting books into bookstores as “the next step for indie authors”.

OUP makes pre-Bolonga signings Oxford University Press has signed a host of book deals in the run-up to the Bologna Book Fair, including titles by Joel Stewart and Roland Chambers. OUP commissioning editor Peter Marley bought world rights Tiny Cops and Robbers, by Stewart, who is an illustrator who has worked with Julia Donaldson and Michael Rosen.

WHS revenues soar in Ireland Revenues at WH Smith Ireland jumped 66% to €19.29m (£14.1m) in the year ending 31st August 2014 from €11.6m (£8.47m) for the same period the year before. The Irish Independent has seen accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office in Ireland, which shows that despite the revenue rise, pre-tax profits fell slightly from €1.54m (£1.12m) to €1.5m (£1.1m).

PRH acquires cookbook from Ottolenghi and Scully Penguin Random House has acquired The NOPI Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ramael Scully. The collection of more than 120 recipes from Ottolenghi and collaborator and NOPI head chef Scully will showcase the pair’s favourite recipes from the celebrated central London restaurant.

Bammel to leave IPA Jens Bammel, secretary general of the International Publishers Association (IPA), is to step down from his role. Bammel has led the IPA since 2003, but will step down ahead of the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair.

Bloomsbury to publish Rosoff's first adult title Bloomsbury has signed Meg Rosoff's first novel for adults, a romantic comedy set in New York. Helen Garnons-Williams, publishing director for fiction, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, at auction from Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. Duck Zoo tells the story of Jonathan, his dogs Dante and Sissy, and their vet Dr Clare, along with a wedding that feels more like a funeral, an office job that feels like the ninth circle of hell and a guardian angel named Greeley.

Tracy Chevalier appointed to British Library board Author Tracy Chevalier is among six new people appointed to the board of the British Library. Chevalier will serve a term of four years commencing on 1st April. Other appointments to the board include Sir John Riblat, a property developer; Dr Simon Thurley, an architectural historian; and Professor Dame Helen Wallace, an officer of the British Academy. The final two new board members are Jonathan Callaway and Martin Dickson. The appointments are made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sajid Javid.

Sixteen books awarded English PEN grants Sixteen books have received an award in the latest round of grants from English PEN’s Writers in Translation programme. The programme, which is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, gives grants to books displaying outstanding literary merit. All books chosen for the programme will be featured on the World Bookshelf website, which celebrates contemporary international literature in translation.

Celebration of dogs to Canongate Canongate has signed a book celebrating dogs of all shapes and sizes by photographer Lynn Terry. Publishing director of non-fiction Katy Follain bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a deal with Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein. US rights went to Gallery Books after an eight-way auction. The book, Tails from the Booth, began life a photography project to raise money for local pit bull shelter. Terry takes photos of dogs inside a vintage photo booth. When images from the project were put on website Boredpanda, they were viewed 1.2m times.