Lauren Brown

For @thebookseller.com I'm looking to speak to bookshops / booksellers about how the business rates changes in the budget are going to affect them - if that's you, please email me at Lauren.brown@thebookseller.com.

Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction

ICYMI: Publishers are noting a shift in industry mindset around short stories as readers embrace shorter works, with a number feeling like “something is slowly shifting” and that “there’s a real excitement around stories again” 👇 #BookSky

Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction Publishers are noting a shift in industry mindset around short stories as readers embrace shorter works, with a number feeling like “something is slowly shifting” and that “there’s a real excitement a...

I wrote about short fiction for @thebookseller.com

"Publishing is all about conviction, and holding your nerve. Publishers have to keep backing the short story as a medium, and investing in it.” - @anniemedz.bsky.social

www.thebookseller.com/news/publish...

Pat Barker interview: ‘Success can be more challenging than failure’ | The Booker Prizes Thirty years after winning the Booker for The Ghost Road, Pat Barker discusses feeling like an outsider, writing about men, and the under-representation of working-class voices

"I didn't like winning the Booker at all. Success can be a lot more challenging than failure. I was used to failure, like most writers are. I did failure beautifully, believe me. I didn’t do success quite so well."

I spoke to Pat Barker about her @thebookerprizes.bsky.social-winning The Ghost Road:

Susanna Clarke returns to world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in new short story Twenty-one years after the publication of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Bloomsbury), bestselling author Susanna Clarke has returned to the world of the novel in a short story, The Bishop of Durham At...

Susanna Clarke 'sheds new light' on one of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell's 'most intriguing characters' in an exclusive short story.

@laurenrbrown95.bsky.social on a triumphant return in @thebookseller.com

www.thebookseller.com/news/susanna...

#books #reading #writing #fiction #ShortStories

Tim Clement-Jones appointed new ALCS non-executive chair at 'critical AI juncture'

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) has appointed Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE as non-executive chair, taking over from Tom Chatfield, whose term ended in January 2025. Clement-Jones will commence in the role on Monday, March 17th. 👇 #BookSky

Sloane Crosley: On the Fine Art of Saying “No” Many years ago, right before I quit my job as a book publicist, a coworker knocked on my office door and asked me if I wanted to accompany her to a reading. Stressed, distracted and with one tote b…

“Brevity is the soul of politeness. In an industry that traffics in words, it can feel like rudeness.” Sloane Crosley on the art of saying “no.”

The British Book Awards 2025 Small Press of the Year regional and country winners unveiled

From small presses established in the 1980s to publishers launched after the pandemic, 10 small presses have been crowned regional and country winners of The #BritishBookAwards’ 2025 Small Press of the Year 👇 #Nibbies

I wrote this piece in today’s @thebookseller.com at #londonbookfair about our industry is in danger of sleepwalking into AI and some basic rules of engagement.

❤️💪🏻

Oo exciting times! Keep me in the loop

My fiction book of the month for @thebookseller.com for June 2025 is Charlotte Runcie’s incendiary debut Bring the House Down, which explores art, criticism and who gets to say what, and why

Very surreal to see my own novel included in today's Bookseller Agents' Hotlists, but hurrah! @mariliasavvides.bsky.social

Ahead of #LBF I'd love to hear from agents and editors about any trends you're seeing emerge in submissions... Lauren.brown@thebookseller.com 📩 @thebookseller.com

In @the-bookseller.bsky.social this week, my cover conversation with @dfdubz.bsky.social @theguiltyfeminist.bsky.social about her excellent forthcoming book, "Six Conversations We're Scared to Have"

I'm back reporting for @the-bookseller.bsky.social on Thursdays and Fridays!

Email me your juiciest - Lauren.Brown@thebookseller.com

(and apols if yours was one of the 5,000 emails I returned to😬I will be replying to ones received from today...)

Contemporary Cultures of Writing This seminar series looks at the ways in which neurodivergence intersects with creative writing, providing an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and teachers to explore linkages, disconnects ...

The Open University/Institute of English Studies are delivering a series of 3 Seminars on Creative Writing and Neurodivergence
Tue 18 Feb 2025 to Tue 4 Mar 2025. The seminars are free, but booking is essential.

Details in the link.

Please share :)

This is awful to watch. Even more awful to let it go unchallenged. Pls complain to ofcom and share, if you can. Took me 3 mins.

My May book of the month for @the-bookseller.bsky.social is A Family Matter by Claire Lynch, a gut punch revelation of a novel

Rachel Joyce | 'I wanted to write about a period of lawlessness within families' The author of the Harold Fry trilogy discusses her new novel, The Homemade God (Doubleday)

A joy to chat with the inimitable Rachel Joyce about her suspenseful new novel The Homemade God for @the-bookseller.bsky.social

www.thebookseller.com/author-inter...

Writing East Midlands - Beyond The Spectrum Bradford Adults Lead Writer Role 2025 Job Description: ‘Beyond the Spectrum’ Autistic Lead Writer  Writing East Midlands, in partnership with Bradford 2025, is seeking an Autistic Lead Writer for BEYOND THE SPECTRUM, a creative writing pr...

Beyond the Spectrum has Lead Writer and Shadow Writer roles led by and for autistic writers. Delivering workshops and support. Workshop leaders must be Autistic themselves.

Details in the link.

Please share :)

Holly Brickley | "I have never been one of those people who says that writing is like therapy, but I think those people might be onto something" With the Noughties music scene serving as a backdrop, Holly Brickley’s debut novel explores the connection between music, art and love.

I utterly adored this book so getting to interview Holly was such a treat — live on @the-bookseller.bsky.social this morning. 💖

www.thebookseller.com/author-inter...

FairyLoot and Transworld launch new fantasy publishing imprint The book subscription service FairyLoot and Transworld are launching a new fantasy publishing imprint, the name and logo of which will be announced at the London Book Fair in March.

The news is out! We’re thrilled to be launching a brand new fantasy publishing imprint at Transworld. More details will be revealed soon 🏰✨

Our mission is to forge new paths in publishing and storytelling. We can’t wait to tell you more.

www.thebookseller.com/news/fairylo...

‘Our industry should be appalled’: Brassic creator laments lack of working class people in TV and film Danny Brocklehurst’s much loved comedy drama raised the bar – now he is calling for greater representation across the industry

For the Observer today I interviewed #Brassic creator and writer Danny Brocklehurst about the dearth of working class people in the TV and film industry… and of course, the last season for Vinnie & Co.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. #165345:
Getting published is hard enough. But staying published is harder. The literary world is filled with once-successful authors who can't get a publishing deal any more. That's why it's important to stay in touch; keep flexible; change, when you have to.

What the Northern Publishing Team are Reading in 2025 The Northern Publishing Team wish you a Happy New Year and share the titles they can't wait to dive into in 2025.

Whether you’re looking to support more northern indie publishers this year, or just looking for new recommendations for your TBR, check out our latest guide to what the Northern Publishing Team are reading in 2025 📚💖

✨ Read the full article here: www.thepublishingpost.com/post/what-th...

Words To Live By Number 172

Publishing bestsellers is about more than tracking trends The Bookseller is the incisive and independent source of news and analysis for the book trade and publishing industry. Get breaking news, in-depth features, author interviews and book charts. The Book...

Publishing bestsellers is about more than tracking trends, says Philip Jones (@philipdsjones.bsky.social) in this week's editor's letter 👇 #BookSky www.thebookseller.com/comment/publ...

Future Worlds Prize 2025 - FUTURE WORLDS PRIZE OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!We're now open for submissions for Future Worlds Prize 2025. We're looking for unpublished writers of colour working on any sort of SFF, from romantasy to horror, dystopias and sp...

Do you want to win money and mentoring to help you finish your manuscript? If you’re an SFF writer of colour answering yes, then we want to hear from you: www.futureworldsprize.co.uk/2025-prize/

“Box of 14” made me laugh. Someone decided that 14 edible slugs was the appropriate amount, and I’m sure they’re right.