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Opinion from The Bookseller and other columnists. To pitch a comment piece email Molly Flatt.

Editor's Letter

Hearts and minds need to focus on the reading crisis

As an industry all in on the benefits of reading and the health and economic outcomes that result from it, government ministers, had they attended The Bookseller’s Children’s Conference this week, would have heard much to cheer them up.
READ LETTER IN FULL
Let's push for change

Let's push for change

by Heather Wright
Children’s Conference 2025 left me bursting with fresh ideas for our family book festival.
Individuality matters more than ever

Individuality matters more than ever

by Bruce Ingman
Some advice to new illustrators keen to make their mark (and publishers too).
Poetry is not just for kids, you know

Poetry is not just for kids, you know

by Brian Bilston
On National Poetry Day, let’s start changing the conversation around poetry.

Editor‘s Letter

Hearts and minds need to focus on the reading crisis

As an industry all in on the benefits of reading and the health and economic outcomes that result from it, government ministers, had they attended The Bookseller’s Children’s Conference this week, would have heard much to cheer them up.
READ LETTER IN FULL
Publishing is in denial about dark romance

Publishing is in denial about dark romance

by Abby Assou
Why are trade publishers refusing to support one of our fastest-growing genres?
Sensitivity: vandalism or restoration?

Sensitivity: vandalism or restoration?

by Anonymous writer
How do we make a call on problematic language when the author is no longer alive?
In search of the next Generation Starship

In search of the next Generation Starship

by Kenechi Udogu
On finding the elusive science fiction writers in UK YA fiction.
Inclusion: a commercial imperative

Inclusion: a commercial imperative

by Beth Cox
Why representing a vast range of experiences is vital to ensuring reading for pleasure.
Crowdfunding still works

Crowdfunding still works

by Nick Coveney
Don’t misunderstand the moment; crowdfunding for publishing isn’t dead, it’s evolving.
The BA Conference shows the value of talking it out

The BA Conference shows the value of talking it out

by Philip Jones
Some 450 delegates – most of them booksellers, 80 of them newbies – gathered at the Leonardo Hotel at Hinckley Island to be inspired, educated and celebrated in a world currently doing them few favours.
From SEO to AEO

From SEO to AEO

by Ani Attamian
Book discovery is changing, and it is a big opportunity to shift publisher power dynamics.
Not just a trend

Not just a trend

by Ella Schwarz
Four lessons from women of colour reclaiming creativity.
Beyond the wheelchair

Beyond the wheelchair

by Habeeba Mulla
How children’s books are rethinking disability.
Home is where the book launches

Home is where the book launches

by Celeste Mohammed
A British publisher enabling a Caribbean-first release feels like an important milestone.
Why bookselling is everyone’s business

Why bookselling is everyone’s business

by Meryl Halls and Fleur Sinclair
Modern booksellers are innovative links to local communities and readers; the rest of the books’ ecosystem would be wise to embrace more creative ways to support them.
Why we should never forget to choose bookshops

Why we should never forget to choose bookshops

by Philip Jones
When the high street permitted shoppers to return post-lockdown, bookshops rose to the occasion and have remained the beacons we all continue to need.

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Focus, focus, focus

Focus, focus, focus

Sep 18, 2025by Gayle Feldman
New York’s People of Publishing conference struck an energised and collaborative note.
The missing link

The missing link

Sep 12, 2025by Siobhan Cole
If only the privileged can afford to become agents, it’s mostly the privileged who get published.
The neverending Storytel of Nordic streaming success

The neverending Storytel of Nordic streaming success

Sep 12, 2025by Philip Jones
The potential of the audiobook market is one we should be careful not to under-estimate or under-support.
Banned Books Week gives us a chance to reflect on censorship

Banned Books Week gives us a chance to reflect on censorship

Sep 5, 2025by Philip Jones
Words matter, because what we do matters. But words don’t act alone – they need publishing, platforming and, occasionally, defending.
What does what we've read tell us

What does what we've read tell us

Aug 22, 2025by Philip Jones
We are halfway through the year, so now we can consider what we have learned by reading The Bookseller website.
The National Library of Scotland: When curation becomes censorship

The National Library of Scotland: When curation becomes censorship

Aug 19, 2025by Jemimah Steinfeld
A public vote to select books for the library’s centenary exhibition has ignited controversy after a collection of essays by feminist writers was excluded.
Will AI destroy entry-level jobs?

Will AI destroy entry-level jobs?

Aug 19, 2025by Suzanne Collier
Aspiring publishing people don’t need to panic, but they do need to start honing their AI skills.
Trust is sacrosanct in publishing, so let’s not be careless

Trust is sacrosanct in publishing, so let’s not be careless

Aug 1, 2025by Philip Jones
At a time when much is up for grabs within the attention economy, there is a lot for book publishers to think about, and retaining trust should be a priority.
Should publishers take the high road on fact checking

Should publishers take the high road on fact checking

Jul 18, 2025by Philip Jones
The recent widespread reaction to the Observer’s investigation of Raynor Winn and her book The Salt Path is worth reflecting on – readers must not be allowed to stop trusting us.
If books be the root of good, read on

If books be the root of good, read on

Jul 11, 2025by Philip Jones
With the launch this week of The National Year of Reading at 10 Downing Street, everyone is now on board with the long-needed, joined-up approach on the joy of reading, aimed at both adults and children.

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