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2024 September


Has AI hacked the operating system of human civilisation? Yuval Noah Harari sounds a warning

Has AI hacked the operating system of human civilisation? Yuval Noah Harari sounds a warning

The book covers an immense span of history, from the emergence of Homo sapiens and their interaction with Neanderthals to the advent of Neuralink (an implant that allows users to communicate with computers by thought alone) and the possible implications of AI for the future of human civilisation.


Oxford University Press makes two US teams redundant

Oxford University Press makes two US teams redundant

Scott Morales, unit chair of the OUP USA Guild, who was himself made redundant last April having worked at the OUP for 15 years, said this was the second round of redundancies in the last six months, adding:"I stand in solidarity with those affected by the layoffs and will continue to lend my voice to advocating for their fair treatment."


Watkins Media launches new children’s imprint Moon + Bird

Watkins Media launches new children’s imprint Moon + Bird

The publisher says the imprint will "draw on the strengths of the Watkins brand to focus on creating beautiful, groundbreaking books that encourage curiosity, resilience and inclusivity, and help kids manage their own feelings and find their own special path in life".


Read Maxwell Communications celebrates rebrand with London launch party

Read Maxwell Communications celebrates rebrand with London launch party

In addition she thanked the wider team, particularly Sam Evans and Grace Pilkington, who have worked in the business for nearly 10 years and who she referred to as “exceptional publicists and wonderful and supportive people to be around.”


British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding unveils shortlist of six

British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding unveils shortlist of six

Also up for the prize are Ed Conway for Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future (WH Allen); The Secret Lives of Numbers: A Global History of Mathematics & Its Unsung Trailblazers by Kate Kitagawa and Timothy Revell (Viking); Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues by Ross Perlin (Grove Press UK) and Divided: Racism, Medicine and Why We Need to Decolonise Healthcare by Annabel Sowemimo (Profile Books/Wellcome Collection).


What happens when a black cop goes undercover with the Crips and Bloods in ‘Mormon County’

What happens when a black cop goes undercover with the Crips and Bloods in ‘Mormon County’

“I wrote ‘The Gangs of Zion’ not only to recount my experience of policing in a highly unusual context during a pivotal cultural moment,” Stallworth writes, “but also to inform the Booty Rileys of the world that I am a cop who understands American history, is protective of his race and takes unwavering stands for civil and constitutional rights for all people.”


Authors report ‘worst ever delays’ with advances and royalties as some forced to survive on loans — survey

Authors report ‘worst ever delays’ with advances and royalties as some forced to survive on loans — survey

More than half of respondents to The Bookseller’s survey on advances and royalties revealed problems, with some describing decade-long delays due to "financial terrorism", and some reporting a reliance on loans, hardship grants, and foodbanks.


International AI treaty: ALCS calls on government to go further and protect ‘mass violation’ of creatives’ rights

International AI treaty: ALCS calls on government to go further and protect ‘mass violation’ of creatives’ rights

ALCS, a member organisation which works to ensure writers are fairly compensated and recently ran a survey on the impact AI might have on authors and copyright, welcomed the treaty but said it must be extended to cover the potential damage to livelihoods of creators.


Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book page proofs allocated to Cambridge University Library

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book page proofs allocated to Cambridge University Library

John Wells, senior archivist, said: “Taken together, the treasures found in the A P Watt collection are an exceptional accumulation of manuscripts and proofs of commercial prose from an era widely regarded as the heyday of the popular novel in this country.


Society of Authors releases joint statement after school libaries ‘censored’

Society of Authors releases joint statement after school libaries ‘censored’

The joint statement, released yesterday, stated that to promote and protect freedom of expression, "it is vital that we foster the conditions for all schools to have diverse and inclusive library collections, and to resist all forms of censorship given its debilitating effects on children’s educations".


Headline announces partnership with Off the Shelf Festival for series of ‘inclusive’ events

Headline announces partnership with Off the Shelf Festival for series of ‘inclusive’ events

It has been wonderful to prepare such a rich, collaborative and inclusive programme of events together and we’re so excited to bring our authors and staff to Sheffield next month."


PAVE Publishing House appoints Kerri Kolen as vice-president

PAVE Publishing House appoints Kerri Kolen as vice-president

Her proven track record of working with top-tier talent and her ability to adapt to the changing ways audiences consume content will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of traditional publishing."