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News stories from the book world in May 2011

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May 2011

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Musical chairs

30 May 2011

Never has there been a time when so much is changing so fast in the world of books. Seminars and discussion from Book Expo America last week underlined the way things are going, and it's a scary prospect for people who have spent their lives in publishing or bookselling.  Read more

Waterstone's is sold at last

23 May 2011

Other news stories had to be shelved with the news yesterday that Waterstone's has been bought by Russian oligarch Alexander Mamut's A&NN Group. Although this negotiation has been a bit long drawn-out, the news has been well-received and is in contrast to the situation in the United States, where Borders continues to teeter on the brink.  Read more

Caine Prize shortlist showcases African writers

16 May 2011

The shortlist for the £10,000 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing - the twelfth 'African Booker' - has just been announced.  Read more

Boom in number of books published

9 May 2011

Readers of this column may be tiring of all the talk about ebooks, but it should be said in our defence that the news has been full of nothing else for many weeks now. Take comfort however, because in the midst of this obsessive concentration on digital developments, publishing - and writing - is still going on as normal. The existing business of publishing is still just as keen t  Read more

Ebooks elbow out print editions

2 May 2011

A recent article in Teleread questioned the way publishers bring out the premium edition, the hardback, and then make readers wait for the mass market paperback, which is available at a lower price which most people can afford.   Read more