Latest news from The Bookseller incl. Hughes' widow issues 'final appeal' for apology & Zoella knocks Walliams off chart top spot

Zoella knocks Walliams off chart top spot Vlogger Zoe “Zoella” Sugg’s second novel Girl Online: On Tour (Penguin) has taken the Official Top 50 number one spot from David Walliams, in a week that saw YouTubers dominate the top of the charts. The sequel to 2014’s Girl Online (Penguin) sold 56,038 copies for £377,813 last week, according to Nielsen BookScan’s Total Consumer Market, ending Walliams’ Grandpa’s Great Escape (HarperCollins Children’s) four-week run at the top.

Hughes' widow issues 'final appeal' for apology Following the row between HarperCollins and the Ted Hughes Estate over Jonathan Bate's biography of the poet reported last week, Hughes’ widow, Carol Hughes, has issued a “final appeal” for an apology and corrections to mark the 17th anniversary of her husband’s death (Wednesday 28th October).

Bertelsmann acquires US company RediLearning Bertelsmann has acquired American e-learning business RediLearning in a bid to strengthen its education business. The company’s education arm, Relias Learning, acquired the online learning company but the sum paid has not been disclosed. RediLearning was founded in 2006 by Michael and Sally Hemlepp and provides 400 online courses in the field of senior care, currently used by approximately 120 customers in 48 US. states. Bertelsmann chairman and c.e.o Thomas Rabe said Relias would continue to grow “organically and through acquisitions.”

Audiobooks take to the stage at FutureBook Awards Audiobooks are to be included in the FutureBook Awards for the first time. Three shortlists will be announced in The Bookseller this week, with the winning audio titles to be unveiled at the FutureBook Conference (4th December).

Foyles launches same-day London delivery Foyles is offering a same-day delivery service to all addresses in central London in a new drive to be more competitive online and serve Christmas demand. The mini-chain is also offering free UK 2nd class postage on all online orders, along with a same day delivery service to addresses in central London on orders placed before midday. For this same-day London delivery service, Foyles is charging £7.50 for the first book and £1 for every book after that.

Browne becomes editorial director at Borough Press Cassie Browne has been promoted from commissioning editor to editorial director of The Borough Press.  Her appointment follows the recent arrival of publishing director, Suzie Dooré, who moved to Borough Press after 10 years at Hodder & Stoughton to replace Katie Espiner, who is now m.d. at Orion. Browne recently signed two new novels from Andrea Bennett.

Waterstones Birmingham to reopen as 'Midlands flagship' A “transformed” Waterstones Birmingham is to reopen in November following refurbishment works to create “a flagship bookshop for the Midlands.” The bookshop has been closed since 31st August to complete the refit and will officially reopen on 14th November, with a new basement floor to house the fiction department, a new floor dedicated to children’s books, two cafés, a “striking” new shop front, comfortable seating, new flooring and oak bookcases fitted throughout.

William Hill prize 2015 shortlist revealed A story about a bobsledding team in the 1932 Winter Olympics, three football titles, one cricket and one boxing book compete for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. The shortlist features debut book Speed Kings by Andy Bull (Bantam Press) – which marks the first book about bobsledding every to feature in the William Hill awards shortlist. It tells the story of four unknown men who took up the new event of bobsledding and went on to win gold in the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

Funeral for Philip Joseph this weekend The funeral of Books Etc co-founder Philip Joseph will take place at Golders Green Crematorium, Hoop Lane, London NW11, at 11a.m. on Sunday 1st November. Joseph passed away after a short illness on 25th October. A statement from his family said: "He lived more than 93 years with great energy and distinction and will be greatly missed in the worlds of bookselling and publishing, croquet and rambling."

Scottish Poetry Library to reopen following refurbishment The Scottish Poetry Library is set to reopen to the public tomorrow (29th October) following an “extensive” £380,000 renovation. The cabinet secretary for Europe, culture and external affairs, Fiona Hyslop, will officially open the library alongside the National Poet of Scotland, Liz Lochhead, today (28th October). The organisers said: “At a time when libraries are seen to be under threat, the Scottish Poetry Library has taken the characteristically bold step of expanding its space and facilities."

Spymaster 'M' biography to Preface Preface Publishing has acquired M: The True Story of Maxwell Knight, Britain’s Most Successful Spymaster by Henry Hemming (pictured). Trevor Dolby, publisher of Preface, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Jonathan Conway of Jonathan Conway Literary Agency.  North American rights were acquired simultaneously by Public Affairs.

Audible releases Halloween story starring David Tennant Audible has commissioned a dramatization of Carmilla, a 19th century gothic vampire novella by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, starring David Tennant and Rose Leslie. The story, first published in 1872, pre-dates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by over two decades. The story is about 18-year old Laura (played by Leslie) as she develops a deeply passionate friendship with a mysterious house-guest, Carmilla (Phoebe Fox), who turns out to be a vampire. It is told through the eyes of occult doctor Dr Martin Hesselius, who is played by Tennant.