The historical novels The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and The Giver of Stars, published a few months apart, share some noticeable similarities. Book Woman author Kim Michele Richardson has raised concerns; Moyes denies having read Richardson's book.

Where do Booker-prize authors find their inspiration? The authors on the 2019 shortlist reveal the secrets behind their novels

When my first book was published last year I wasn't prepared for how unhinged I would become. I'd expected review-induced nerves and worries that swung from "No one will read it" to "Oh God, someone is actually going to read it". But I hadn't foreseen the appearance of a wholly one-sided and...

Publishing is an industry that can move slowly. Books can take years to write, and then a few more years to publish. There are exceptions, though, and the case of Regan Rose, whose debut novel just sold to Pamela Dorman for high six figures, is unquestionably one.

• 'I only really care about my readers. But I've always been irritated by the lazy assumption among critics that what I do is somehow easier than what ‘literary' novelists do. It's actually quite the reverse - to write something to please millions is obviously harder than doing something...

Publishing is the business of creating books and selling them to readers. And yet, for some reason we aren't supposed to talk about the latter. Most literary writers consider book sales a half-crass / half-mythological subject that is taboo to discuss.