Newsletter Subscribe to our blog via email. Opt out any time - please see our Privacy Policy
By the estimation of award-winning author Donal Ryan, there are times when 300 sales might be enough to make a chart topper – the bestseller mantle tends to have more promotional than monetary value. Of course there are the literary blockbusters — titles like Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code — books that ship hundreds of millions of copies. But combine the sales of JK Rowling and Dan Brown, even throw in John Grisham, and you’re still lagging behind the sales figures of the world’s true bestselling author — James Patterson.
April 18, 2017
0 CommentsIt's National Gardening Week and with the weather warming up it's the perfect time to celebrate the grassy, leafy, humble and much-loved garden. Whether you've got a balcony, an allotment, or acres of land, spending some time cultivating a few plants can be a brilliant pastime.
April 10, 2017
0 CommentsIt's a truth universally acknowledged that not all fictional couples are created equal. Some of them are sweeping romances that you can’t stop thinking about for weeks, while others add tension and drama to a book and are, quite frankly, just unhealthy.
March 13, 2017
0 CommentsWatching a great period drama is one of my favourite ways to unwind. I’ve seen almost all of them – from Shakespearean drama to Life on Mars. Whether it’s pure fiction or based on real historical events, I love escaping into another time period for a bit. The only downside is the inevitable period drama hangover: that horrible time after its finished when all I want to do is jump back into that world again. Thankfully, that’s where books come in!
January 23, 2017
0 CommentsOn this Blue Monday, we're here with a pick-me-up. We love authors and the wonderful books they write. And what do authors love? Their pets. So here are some of the cutest and most lovely animals, along with what their talented owners write.
January 16, 2017
0 CommentsAuthor David Almond has written over twenty books for children and young adults, with many receiving critical acclaim. He is perhaps best known for his 1998 novel Skelling, which has since been adapted into a play, an opera, and a film. His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike.
January 3, 2017
0 CommentsBen Aaronovitch is sci-fi and fantasy author. He's best known for his Rivers of London series, which follows a young police officer recruited by a special branch of the Metropolitan Police dealing with magic and the supernatural. Holly Newson spoke to Ben about writing for Doctor Who, the importance of libraries, and whether he’s honest when giving his opinion on his friend’s books...
December 21, 2016
0 CommentsWhat do ghosts do for fun? They listen to audio-BOO-ks! Okay, so we’re not going to win any prizes for our jokes. What we can do, though, is recommend some fang-tastic books for you to get your teeth into this Halloween! (Sorry, I really will stop with the puns now). Whether you’re looking for scary fiction, frighteningly real crime, or just something to make you laugh, this selection will have a book for you!
October 31, 2016
0 CommentsOne hurdle that can be tricky for any writer to clear is identifying their target audience. Sometimes, figuring out exactly who’d like to read their book and the best way they can engage them is harder than it sounds. But imagine if you were writing for an audience who aren’t even born yet.
October 17, 2016
0 CommentsNational Read a Book Day happens every year. This doesn't mean that it's the only day that's great for reading of course, but it's a brilliant reminder to pick up a book or audiobook if you haven't read for a while, or to choose your next title to read! It can be hard to decide what to read next, so recommendations are super helpful to point you in the right direction...
September 6, 2016
0 Comments