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2024 August


Neurotribes author Steve Silberman dies

Neurotribes author Steve Silberman dies

NeuroTribes traced the secret history of autism, chronicling the brave and lonely journey of autistic people and their families through the centuries and finding surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses had soared in recent years.


Hay Festival Global wins £619k grant for South-to-South series and inaugural Germany forum

Hay Festival Global wins £619k grant for South-to-South series and inaugural Germany forum

A leading cultural charity, Hay Festival was founded in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, in 1987, providing audiences with dynamic platforms to come together to share ideas, different perspectives and provoke conversations that can create a better world.


Neil Gaiman accused of sexual assault by fifth woman

Neil Gaiman accused of sexual assault by fifth woman

In the 2022 recording of the phone call, the man—alleged to be Gaiman—can be apparently heard telling Claire that he "f***** up", that his behaviour was "s****", and appears to offer to pay her a $60,000 (£45,400) "tax-free gift" to cover the cost of a decade worth of therapy.


Penguin Random House sees revenue rise by 13% in first half of 2024

Penguin Random House sees revenue rise by 13% in first half of 2024

Penguin Random House revenue has risen by 13% to €2.2bn (£1.86bn) in the first half of 2024, up from €2bn (£1.69bn) year-on-year, while parent company Bertelsmann has grown its group profit by 60% to €416m (£350m) and has raised its full year forecast.


Society of Authors ‘urges’ Creative Scotland and Scottish government to reconsider funding closure

Society of Authors ‘urges’ Creative Scotland and Scottish government to reconsider funding closure

“Like everyone working in Scotland’s culture and creative sector, we understand the extreme pressures on public finances, but want to see longer-term budget certainty from the Scottish government, including the additional £100m announced in October 2023, details of which have yet to emerge.”


Penguin Random House launches mentoring scheme for under-represented creatives in publishing

Penguin Random House launches mentoring scheme for under-represented creatives in publishing

Penguin has said no formal education or experience in the industry is necessary, but they’ll be looking out for candidates who show potential in conceptual thinking, typography, illustrative flair and/or composition.


The Big Scottish Book Club returns to BBC with Jackie Kay, Julian Clary and Elif Shafak to feature

The Big Scottish Book Club returns to BBC with Jackie Kay, Julian Clary and Elif Shafak to feature

I have always wanted to interview Elif Shafak who is one of the world’s finest writers and deepest thinkers—her latest novel is a future classic.


Atlantic Books confirms move to Macmillan Distribution

Atlantic Books confirms move to Macmillan Distribution

Having distributed for Atlantic’s sister company Murdoch Books here in the UK for over 20 years this feels like a perfect fit and a great opportunity for us to continue to develop our businesses together."


Puffin donates mini libraries to children’s hospitals for Adam Kay book campaign

Puffin donates mini libraries to children’s hospitals for Adam Kay book campaign

Kay, along with Paker and publisher Puffin, will support charities MediCinema, offering cinema-based healthcare programmes in hospitals, and Starlight, which promotes children’s play in health settings.


Society of Authors writes to AI firms demanding ‘appropriate remuneration’ and consent for authors

Society of Authors writes to AI firms demanding ‘appropriate remuneration’ and consent for authors

This is the latest in a series of legal cases where AI firms stand accused of using authors’ material to teach large language models (LLMs) without their consent, or by using allegedly stolen copies of their books.


Anya Taylor-Joy to star in new Netflix adaptation of Bella Mackie’s How to Kill Your Family

Anya Taylor-Joy to star in new Netflix adaptation of Bella Mackie’s How to Kill Your Family

British actress Anya Taylor-Joy will star in the Netflix adaptation of Bella Mackie’s bestselling How to Kill Your Family (The Borough Press), as part of a slew of new projects announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival.


Ebury’s Evangeline Stanford joins Viking Non-Fiction

Ebury’s Evangeline Stanford joins Viking Non-Fiction

Stanford will start on 27th August, reporting to Daniel Crewe, publishing director of Viking Non-Fiction, and will acquire female voices in areas including memoir, current affairs, sport and history, and nature writing.