Before I start, I should tell you that this will be my last Weekly Gossip post. As you would know from my Changes to Once Upon a Bookcase post, you will know I've been trying to reduce the amount of time I spend on blogging admin so I have time for other things I want to do. I had decided I will only post news posts about things I'm interested in, but after more thought, I've decided I'm going to stop these posts altogether. Unless I'm excited about something and really want to talk about it on the blog, I will no longer be posting any book or author news. However, I will be tweeting news I'm interested in - because I still want to share it, and on Twitter it's much quicker - so if you still want to know about the news I receive, please follow me on there - @Jo_Stapley
So first off, the self-published versions Night Creatures Series by Marianne de Pierres is now available to buy on Amazon!
As I said in March, Marianne decided to self-publish this series on Amazon so it is available worldwide rather than just in Australia and New Zealand from Random House Aus Teens, and now they are available! Check them out at the following links:
While at the London Book Fair on Tuesday, I attended the The Young Movellist of the Year Award panel and I found it so interesting, I asked for more information to share with you guys.
RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS, MOVELLAS.COM, THE READING AGENCY AND SONY READER STORE JOIN FORCES IN SEARCH FOR BEST YOUNG ‘MOVELLIST’
Random House Children’s Publishers to award publishing contract to teen writer found on Movellas.com in competition sponsored by Sony Reader Store
Online writing community, Movellas.com, and publishing giant Random House Children’s Publishers (RHCP), are delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new opportunity for teen writers: the ‘Sony Young Movellist of the Year Awards’. Free to enter and open to writers aged between 13 and 19 years, the competition will see one young superstar receive an exclusive publishing contract with RHCP. The winner will be announced on the 15th of July 2013 at a glamorous awards ceremony sponsored by Sony Reader Store.
ETA: This is an old press release from 18th February, and competition is now closed. More information can be read on the Movella's site as well as in the press release.
I think it sounds so awesome! A fantastic opportunity for teens, right?! I'm so interested to see who wins!
Also while I was at the London Book Fair, I was approached by Tricia Macmillan of ReadZone Books, a new indie publisher for struggling readers. Here's more about them:
On Monday 15th April, ReadZone Books launched to coincide with the start of the London Book Fair 2013.
ReadZone Books is a new small independent publishing company specialising in fiction for children and young people with the aim of making reading accessible and enjoyable for all. We will cater for a wide range of abilities, from struggling to fluent readers, from 5 to 25 years old, and aspire to improve literacy and foster a life-long love of reading.
A recent study of 29,000 teenagers at GCSE level found that they have an average reading age five years lower than their actual age. This often continues into adulthood where around 16%, or 5.2 million adults in England, can be described as ‘functionally illiterate’, meaning they would not pass an English GCSE and have literacy levels at or below those expected of an 11-year-old*.
By offering page-turning books in a range of levels and genres, and by presenting them in a modern way, with fresh design and high-quality production, and by working with the best authors, illustrators and reading experts, we will ensure that ReadZone Books’ list will include titles for even the most reluctant reader.
*The National Literacy Trust
You can read more about ReadZone Books in the press release and by visiting their website.
Some news about a charity campaign from Miles Kelley:
Improving Children’s Lives One Book At A Time
Miles Kelly Publishing aims to raise more than £22,000 for The Book Bus charity to help thousands of children in poverty discover the joy of reading. This year, Miles Kelly will publish new books, ebooks and interactive ebooks to raise enough money to buy The Book Bus a new bus that will be stationed in Malawi. Miles Kelly’s vision is to support The Book Bus in both their short- and long-term goals. £22,000 will not only buy a new bus to visit 1000 pupils a year, it will also fund teacher training workshops for local adults, benefiting another 1500 pupils a year. These workshops will inform local teachers and adults of the importance of reading and books as a learning aid to help improve child literacy in their classrooms.Over a ten-year period, this project will improve the lives of 25,000 African children.
You can find out more in the press release and in the press pack.
I love reading! one of the cheapest plane tickets around! I love all these programs devoted to helping promote literacy! that is fantastic!
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