one night stand or partners for life? the state of the (children's book) nation

S T A T E O F T H E N A T I O N

One Night Stand vs.

PARTNERS for LIFE

It’s not you. It’s the bottom line. High stakes publishing means love’s labour is often lost for the writer

“

”

The Spaghetti Agent signs up writers even when they’re unsure about a project, then throws the manuscripts at publishers to see what sticks.

NATHAN BRANSFORD AGENT TURNED

CHILDREN’S AUTHOR

“

”Publishing houses often lose their nerve … if authors haven’t got to a certain point, it can be hard to stick by them.

SARAH ODEDINA HOT KEY BOOKS

“

”At acquisitions, publishers have to decide which titles they are prepared to throw marketing money behind.

SARAH ODEDINA HOT KEY BOOKS

The Relentless Revolution How is everyone coping with digital and ebooks?

“

”

In the late 20th century illustration went into decline … children’s books that in Shepard’s day would have been automatically illustrated were deemed no longer to require an illustrator’s input.

CHRIS RIDDELL ILLUSTRATOR

“

”Today the need for illustration is growing … In the digital future text will be annotated visually, animated and illustrated like never before.

CHRIS RIDDELL ILLUSTRATOR

“

”You’ll never go to the dark side and buy an e-reader? E-books ARE real books … there is NO dark side.

RACHELLE GARDENER LITERARY AGENT

ENDANGERED Public libraries and school libraries are closing across the UK. Is the problem purely economic or is there a need for change?

PRESTON LIBRARY, WEMBLEY

LEEDS LIBRARY

SYDENHAM LIBRARY

BARHAM LIBRARY, BRENT

HANWELL LIBRARY, EALING

PLECK LIBRARY, WALSALL

IRCHESTER LIBRARY, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

EASTFIELD LIBRARY, SCARBOROUGH

LEWISHAM LIBRARY, LONDON

AINTREE LIBRARY, SEFTON

KENSAL RISE LIBRARY, LONDON

The Merging of Giants Random House and Penguin get it together

“

”

Together, they will be able to share costs, invest more in authors and readers, and be more adventurous in the world of digital.

MARJORIE SCARDINO PEARSON CHIEF EXEC

“

”

When you see a merger between two giants in a declining industry, it can look like the financial version of a couple having a baby to save a marriage.

ADAM DAVIDSON THE NEW YORK TIMES

S T A T E O F T H E N A T I O N

One Night Stand vs.

PARTNERS for LIFE