THIS WEEK


News Review The headlines: in brief


Booksellers to continue with Covid precautions despite easing of rules Booksellers will continue some level of


long time to go.”


Covid-19 safet measures, despite the government scrapping all mandatory precautions in England, including face masks, from 19th July. James Daunt, m.d. of Waterstones, said his shops will maintain their existing safet measures but the chain will review the situation nearer the July date.


MOST BOOKSELLERS SAY THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN SOME COVID PRECAUTIONS


He said: “If the guidance remains the same we will follow the guidance with a strong recommendation that common sense is applied and respect for others and all the things that, generally I think, will come naturally to our booksellers. But the guidance in the different parts of the United Kingdom is likely to be different, so we’ll be following different things at different places.” Daunt added: “We will assume that common sense will prevail, but there’s a


Rights deal


of the Week


46


Steve Pritchard is retiring after running Pritchards Bookshop in Crosby, Liverpool, for 46 years and is looking for someone to take over. He opened the shop aged 23 but is stopping just before his 70th birthday. He said: “I didn’t know anything about books and bookselling, but grew to love it. I’ve always loved reading, and I’ve really enjoyed the whole ambiance of the book trade.” He added: “I want someone to take it on, take it forwards, pick up the baton and take it to new heights.”


Rights deal 20 9th July 2021


Diamond moves to Quercus from Pan Mac Lucy Diamond left is moving to Quercus in a two-book deal after 14 years with Pan Macmillan. Publisher Cassie Browne acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, with exclusive European rights, for Anything Could Happen and one untitled novel from Lizzy Kremer at David Higham Associates, for publication in January 2022 and early 2023 respectively. Quercus described Anything Could Happen as “a warm, wise, funny and uplifting novel about love, second chances and the unexpected paths life can take us down”.


Stat Many independent booksellers


intend to keep social distancing, screens and hand sanitiser on the premises, and to ease restrictions according to customer and staff feedback. Ron Johns, who owns three bookshops in Cornwall, is planning on restricting the number of shoppers allowed in stores, but will relax other measures. He said: “We won’t enforce face masks—staff will have their own choice about wearing them, and our screens will remain up.” Warwick Books co-founder Mog Harris commented: “We are not looking forward to having to deal with the inevitable bumpy road that the liſting of restrictions will mean, and hope that locally people will be understanding of people wanting and needing to take things at their own speed.”


Collins triumphs at auction for grief memoir William Collins has triumphed in a four-way auction for a “moving exploration of grief and the experience of bereavement in early adulthood” by Rachel Wilson left, the founder of bereavement group The Grief Network. Assistant commissioning editor Jo Thompson bought UK and commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Losing You(ng): How to Grieve When Your Life is Just Beginning from Lisette Verhagen at PFD. The book will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in spring 2023.


Discover preview to focus on underrepresented sector The Bookseller will run a new monthly preview focused on forthcoming books from underrepresented authors, with a particular emphasis on independent publishers and small presses. It will be curated by journalist Natasha Onwuemezi above. The “Discover” preview will cover


The Bookseller @thebookseller


Kazuo Ishiguro, @Doug_D_ Stuart and @BernardineEvari are among authors appearing at this year’s @edbookfest, taking place as a hybrid event


first publication of titles in print from any genre, highlighting books and authors from marginalised communities, including but not restricted to Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled and working-class writers. All publishers can submit to


the preview, but the intention is to showcase publications from independent publishers, small presses, and/or imprints focused on these sectors. Electronic submissions, including AIs, and address queries for print copies, may be emailed to natasha.onwuemezi@gmail.com. The first Discover Preview will run in the issue of 3rd September, featuring titles to be published in October. The submission deadline is 6th August.


© Ethan Weaherby


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