-

ALA, SBA Launch First School Librarians Conference in Sharjah
The American Library Association and the Sharjah Book Authority will host the inaugural ALA Sharjah School Librarians Conference on April 15–16 in the United Arab Emirates.
-

Livres Canada Books Remains Committed to U.S. Market Amid Tariff Concerns
The Ottawa-based organization that supports Canadian book exports is taking a measured approach to the potential tariffs threatened by the Trump administration while affirming its commitment to the U.S. market.
-

Veteran Spanish-Language Publishing Pros See AI as an Opportunity
A survey of publishing professionals in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries found that most were sanguine about the impact of AI, with the strongest optimism among those with 10 or more years in the business. Self-employed respondents expressed the most concern.
-

Red Tower Teams with Penguin Michael Joseph for U.K. Imprint
Red Tower Books, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, is partnering with Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of the U.K.'s Penguin Books, to launch Red Tower in the U.K. as an imprint of Penguin Michael Joseph. The U.K.-based expansion marks Penguin Michael Joseph's first imprint in its 90-year history.
-

Fiction Sales Grow, Nonfiction Declines Across International Book Markets
A new report covering sales in 18 international territories showed significant revenue growth in fiction across 16 markets last year, led by India and Mexico. Nonfiction sales grew in only six countries.
-

Russian Invasion Continues to Batter Ukrainian Literary Institutions
So far this year, multiple bookstores and a printing plant in Kharkiv, as well as the National Writers Union in Kyiv, have been heavily damaged in targeted drone and missile attacks by Russian forces, which invaded Ukraine three years ago.
-

PalFest Launches Book Subscription Service for Palestinian Literature
The Palestine Festival of Literature's new book subscription service, PalFest Bookshelf, will deliver six curated titles about Palestine annually, along with subscriber-exclusive items such as bookmarks and artwork.
-

2025 International Booker Prize Longlist Announced
This year's 13-book International Booker Prize longlist comprises 11 novels and two short story collections translated from 10 languages. The six-book shortlist will be revealed on April 8, and the winner will be named on May 20.
-

Perminder Mann to Succeed Ian Chapman as Head of S&S International
The current CEO of Bonnier Books UK will take over from Chapman, the longtime CEO of S&S UK and International, when he steps down in May, after 25 years with the company.
-

Villa Albertine Celebrates French Literary Translation
The cultural and educational division of the French Embassy in the U.S. awarded its 2024 Albertine Translation Prizes to Eve Hill-Agnus, for fiction, and Gregory Elliott, for nonfiction, last month. The ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges of literary translation.
-

Storytel Acquires 70% Stake in Swedish Publisher Bokfabriken
Storytel Group has acquired a 70% stake in Bokfabriken, one of Sweden's largest general publishing houses. The remaining 30% will be retained by current owners, with Lasse Brahme continuing as CEO.
-

Protests Over Gaza Prompt the Giller Prize to End Scotiabank Sponsorship
Canada's Giller Prize and Scotiabank have ended their 20-year partnership, following protests over the bank's investments in an Israeli arms manufacturer. Protestors continue to call for an end to the prize's relationship with Indigo Books and the Azrieli Foundation.
-

Ukrainian Publishers Honored at 2024 Chytomo Awards
The Chytomo Award celebrated achievements in Ukrainian publishing at a January 31 ceremony in Kyiv, highlighting innovations in digital publishing, cultural advocacy, and children's literature during wartime.
-

Libraro Aims to Solve the Slush Pile Problem
The U.K. startup has launched a blockchain-powered platform that aims to ease manuscript discovery by connecting unpublished authors with publishing professionals and readers while providing engagement data to the industry.
-

Casemate UK Completes Rebranding as Script Publisher Services
Script Publisher Services, formerly known as Casemate UK, has completed its corporate rebranding. The company provides distribution services to approximately 180 publishers. Imogen Adams has been named managing director for the academic and professional division.
-

WH Smith to Sell Its Bookstore Division
The U.K. retailer is in talks to sell its bookstore business. The division, which has 500 branches, employs more than 5,000 staff.
-

Global Publishing Markets See Mixed Results in 2024
Brazil's exports surged 266% in 2024, while European markets reported declines. Digital audio showed strength in Norway, but physical book sales fell across France, Italy, and the U.K. German and Swiss markets remained stable.
-

Profits Boom at a Resurgent Waterstones
Sales at the U.K. bookstore chain rose 17% in the year ended April 2024, and profits soared from £12.0 million, to £32.8 million. The return to offices by employees and increased tourism led to higher sales at stores in London and other cities.
-

Penguin Random House Australia Acquires Text Publishing
Penguin Random House Australia has acquired Text Publishing. A major Australian publishing house, Text's roster includes numerous prize winners and bold-faced names. The company will retain its editorial autonomy as part of PRHA.
-

New Consulting Group Forms to Address Global Publishing Markets
Book industry veterans Carlo Carrenho, Cameron Drew, Marcus Stober and Camila Silfvenius have formed the Alpine Global Collective, a Geneva-based consultancy group that aims to provide clients with cross-border expertise and market knowledge.



