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Studio Notes


AI in Publishing: One Rule for Amazon, Another for the Rest?
AI is no longer a whisper in the wings of publishing - it’s centre stage, and the script is changing fast. From manuscript polishing to audiobook narration and translation, AI is reshaping the entire industry. But while publishers and authors wrestle with questions of ethics, copyright, and consent, one name seems to be quietly storming the stage with barely a whisper of protest: Amazon.
6 min read


Why Erasing Creators Always Backfires
What happens when a publisher decides the creator of a book no longer matters? When authorship becomes an inconvenience and branding takes centre stage? This article explores why the corporate strategy of erasing origin stories is not just ethically questionable—it’s commercially short-sighted. Books aren't toothpaste. And readers, as it turns out, have very long memories.
6 min read


Celebrity Books and the Ghostwriting Problem
What happens when the biggest names in children’s books didn’t write them? This blog unpacks the ethics of celebrity authorship, ghostwriters, and rebranded classics.
6 min read


How UK Publishing Was Transformed Since the 1970s
The business of books in Britain has transformed dramatically from the 1970s to today.
The UK publishing industry of the 1970s would hardly recognise itself in 2025. Back then, cigarette smoke filled offices in London’s West End handled typewritten manuscripts delivered by post to a business dominated by gentlemanly agreements and a fixed book price system.
24 min read


9 Mistakes Children’s Book Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Whether you’re dreaming of your book being read at bedtime or shared in classrooms across the UK, remember: it’s all about the story.
6 min read


Why Kids Are Losing Interest in Reading?
New reports reveal a troubling decline in children’s reading for pleasure. Fewer children are being read to, and reading is increasingly seen as schoolwork—not joy. From misused reading programmes to celebrity book distractions, we urgently need a smarter, more joyful approach.
5 min read


The Truth About Literary Prizes: Prestige, Politics, and Publicity
Book prizes used to be rare honours. Now they’re everywhere - from international juggernauts to niche gongs for every genre and age group. In this insightful (and slightly cheeky) blog, I explore how this prize culture reshapes publishing, boosts authors, powers marketing machines like The Bookseller, and raises the question: are we celebrating excellence - or just addicted to applause?
10 min read


Why Business Leaders Get Creativity Wrong
While creatives can value originality, art, and the emotional resonance that is in their work, some CEOs and business leaders prioritise metrics, scalability, and efficiency. Originality can be seen as time wasting. This divergence of points of view can lead to creative contributions being dismissed as "generic," undervalued, or treated as interchangeable.
6 min read


How to Write a Press Release
Learn how to write a children’s publishing press release that sounds human, not hysterical. Practical tips, common pitfalls, and why "thrilled" is the biggest giveaway of all.
17 min read


Graphic Novels and Children’s Literacy: Why They Belong on Every Bookshelf
Discover why graphic novels are essential reading for children – boosting literacy, critical thinking and visual comprehension.
7 min read


How to Design Children's Books with the Perfect Page Turn
In children's books, where visual appeal is just as important as the text, getting the layout right can make the big difference.
6 min read


What’s Wrong with the 1993 Commercial Agents Law?
The 1993 Commercial Agents (Council Problems withDirective) Regulations (CARs) were introduced to bring UK law into compliance with the EEC.
4 min read


In Conversation with Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer: Exploring Leadership, Disinformation, and Storytelling
Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer is an award-winning leadership and academic researcher, consultant, TEDx speaker, and writer.
11 min read


The Art of Writing Christmas Stories for Children
We’ll explore the secrets to writing Christmas stories for children, with practical tips, a list of inspiring examples.
19 min read


Exploring the Magic: Creating Immersive Settings in Children's Books
Young children are remarkabl visual readers. They can absorb busy scenes and bold, simple images with the same ease.
6 min read


Behind the Pages: Shirley Willis Illustrator on Art & Story
Shirley Willis Salariya has worked in a variety of art styles and always embraced experimentation.
20 min read


What Software Should I Use to Design A Children’s Book?
There are many tools out there that it can be overwhelming. I will take you through some of the best software options for designing a children's book to kickstart your creative process!
8 min read


How Do I Create Interactive E-books for Children?
To create interactive e-books for children, start with a well structured story, and integrate audio narration, animations, games, and sound
9 min read


Top 10 Children's Books – Illustrator Carolyn Scrace Shares Her Inspirations
Illustrator and Writer Carolyn Scrace chooses her Top Ten Books from her wide portfolio of published work.
15 min read


Getting Feedback from Child Readers: A Guide for Authors
A Beta reader is an English term from the information technology and software industry, where beta testers attempt to identify problems in a
7 min read
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