News Blog

News, announcements and interesting information about international book publishing, authors, digital developments, and more.

Bloomsbury UK Gives Sharjah Shaikh Memoir Royal Treatment

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Bloomsbury UK threw a lavish dinner to celebrate publication of Taking the Reins, the 2nd memoir from Sharjah ruler Shaikh Sultan Bin Mulhammad Al Qasimi.

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April’s Top Self Publishing Reviews from BlueInk

Petentate of the Walking Horse

Our compendium of the top reviews of self-published books from BlueInk Reviews includes an ‘Old West meets space frontier’ sci-fi story and a spellbinding mystery.

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In 2011, One in Six New Books In France Was a Translation

french flag

Interest in translations in France is booming, with the total number of books in translation making up 15.9% of all published titles, up 8.7% from 2010.

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Accused of Using Ghostwriters, Han Han Offers 20m Yuan for Evidence

Han Han

Chinese bestselling author/race car driver/youth phenomenon Han Han has been accused of using ghost writers. A convoluted mess of counter accusations ensued.

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Pottermore Sales Surpass £1 Million in 3 Days

Amazon sends buyers to Pottermore website to purchase Harry Potter e-books

Harry Potter fans have opened their wallets to JK Rowling’s Pottermore website, the exclusive retailer of Harry Potter e-books.

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France Hikes VAT on Books to 7%, Adding to Booksellers’ Woes

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As if e-books weren’t trouble enough, in France a VAT rate increase of 5.5% to 7% on books forced many booksellers to close for two days to reprice books.

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SPONSORED POST: ‘Every Country, Every Culture Needs Its Own Children’s Literature’

Emirati YA novelist Noura Noman (left) and German children’s-book writer Kirsten Boie (right)

At the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, Emirati YA novelist Noura Noman and German children’s book writer Kirsten Boie spoke about the world of Emirati children’s literature.

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UNESCO Receives 1m AED from Sheikh Zayed Book Awards

Zayed's Book Award

The 2012 Sheikh Zayed’s Book Awards, worth AED 750,000 each, were handed out to the seven winners earlier this week; UNESCO won AED 1m for sustaining culture.

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SPONSORED POST: Day 2 at ADIBF, Off the Shelves and Onto Your iPad

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Chip Rosetti blogs for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair about digital publishing and iPad apps from Rufoof

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‘Arabic Booker’ Goes to Lebanese Author Rabee Jaber

The Druze of Belgrade

Lebanese novelist Rabee Jaber won this year’s coveted $50,000 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, aka the ‘Arabic Booker’ for The Druze of Belgrade.

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