Tributes paid to thriller writer Dick Francis (UK)

"Racing figures and authors have paid tribute to thriller writer Dick Francis, who has died aged 89. Writer Frederick Forsyth praised Francis's "immensely prolific" output of "page-turners", and said authors were still "walking in his footsteps". Former BBC commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan said the best-selling writer was one of the "people's champions". As well as being a best-selling author, Francis was also champion jockey in the 1950s and the Queen Mother's jockey. He wrote more than 40 best-selling novels during his career, selling some 60 million books worldwide. He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later. The Queen Mother was reputedly one of his most enthusiastic readers, and Buckingham Palace said the Queen would be saddened to learn of his death" - BBC
Technorati Tag: Books

YoungMinds calls for submissions for 2010 book award prize (UK)

"YoungMinds are asking publishers, librarians, and young people to put forward submissions for this year's YoungMinds book award. Books must be works of fiction or biography for young people aged 12+ published between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010, which encourage self-steem and help them to cope with the stresses and challenges of growing up. Nominations are open until 24 April 2010. 10 books will then be chosen for the longlist. Young people, children's authors and mental health professionals will then take part in the judging between May and October to choose the winner. The GBP2,000 prize, which is sponsored by the national reading charity Booktrust, will be presented at an awards ceremony in November 2010"
Technorati Tag: Books

Haringey hosts literary festival (UK)

"Book lovers both young and old have a treat in store. Haringey Council's libraries service has organised a literary festival in March, with events for both children and young people as well as for adults. From Iran to Hornsey and Xanadu to Dick Turpin, there'll be something for everyone. Award-winning authors will be talking about their work, there will be tutorials for people interested in writing, dynamic performance poetry sessions and readings from books. Film adaptations of books will also be shown during the festival, as well as music events and a book group event for blind and partially sighted people. It's the second year that a literary festival has been held in the borough. Cllr Dhiren Basu, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning, said: 'This festival is a great way to encourage more people of all ages to read more and to raise interest in literature'"


Technorati Tag: Books

Jacqueline Wilson most loaned author of decade (UK)

"Children's author Jacqueline Wilson is a loan star - after being named the most borrowed author of the past decade. Prolific writer Wilson - whose books include The Illustrated Mum and Double Act - saw her titles taken out of public libraries more than 16 million times over the 10-year span. And her best-seller The Story Of Tracy Beaker is the single most borrowed book over the same period, according to new figures from PLR (Public Lending Right). For the most recent year available (July 2008-June 2009), US writer James Patterson was the most borrowed author. It is an accolade he has now held for the third year running after toppling Wilson from the number one spot in 2007. His titles were lent in excess of 1.5 million times over the year and his book Sail was also the most borrowed title overall for the year. However, over the last decade as a whole he is only the fifth most borrowed author, lagging behind Wilson, and romantic novelists Danielle Steel, Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox"
Technorati Tag: Books

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2010 winner (UK)

"The winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2010 is The Great Hamster Massacre by debut author Katie Davies. The Great Hamster Massacre is an endearing tale of a young girl's life and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the untimely death of her beloved pet"
Technorati Tag: Books

Waterstone's launches online version of Books Quarterly magazine

"Wbqonline.com is the website for Waterstone's Books Quarterly, the quarterly books magazine that is free to all Waterstone's Cardholders when picked up in store or GBP2.95 when bought in store. You can also subscribe here to have the magazine delivered overseas or within the UK. Wbqonline.com carries all of the current issue's articles and reviews, as well as featuring an extensive archive from previous issues, tagged by subject matter for easy searching or browsing. You'll find extra online-only material from featured authors too, including audio and video. You can also debate the features with other readers in our forums to make sure you get your say and to hear what others have to think about new books

Technorati Tag: Books