When Amazon withdrew a string of unofficial biographies of SNP politicians riddled with false claims, it exposed more than one publishing scandal. In an era of AI-generated misinformation, author anonymity, and disappearing credits, how do readers know who to trust? This article explores the new Wild West of publishing — and what parents, teachers and librarians can do about it.

Ladybird Books taught generations of British children how to read, but the story behind the logo is richer, and more surprising, than you might think. From wartime printing hack to educational empire to bestselling adult spoof, here’s the full Pulp History.

Notorious Autobiographical Fantasies. When truth becomes a plot device… Who is who? Autobiographical Fantasies Memoir is supposed to...

It’s almost poetic: a trauma memoir that ends up traumatising the publisher. Because when a story like The Salt Path begins to wobble, it’s not just the author who falls. The editors, the marketers, the readers—all are caught in the collapse of a narrative sold as unflinching truth. This is the soft lie of emotional truth—and publishing has been complicit in making it a genre.

Whether you dream of writing a picture book, an adventure novel for eight year olds, non-fiction or a chapter book series.

Publishing loves a good diversity panel. But behind the scenes, creators are quietly being erased. If we don’t protect credits, are we building legacy— or theatre?

OR: How Characters Outlive Their Creators When I began work on The Secret Journal of Victor Frankenstein on the Workings of the Human...

H.E. Marshall’s Our Island Story was once the go-to tale of Britain’s past, kings, queens, and glorious Empire. But in 2025, what kind of story do we really need to tell our children? This blog revisits the 2005 revival campaign and explores what a more inclusive, honest, and compelling national narrative could look like.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Beano and Why Comics Matter Comics have long been the secret weapon of children’s literacy - visual storytelling that hooks reluctant readers, fuels imagination, and delivers complex ideas with clarity and humour. For me, The Beano was not just a comic; it was a portal to mayhem!

Why are publishers rewriting Roald Dahl instead of commissioning new authors? In a world where even the Roman army wasn’t just white and italian, isn’t it time to stop recycling the past and start publishing the future?

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.

"Make America Great Again."Simple. Punchy. Repetitive, like a nursery rhyme or a drumbeat. But pause for a moment - just a moment - and ask:When exactly was America great?And, more importantly:

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?

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. 

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.