Freelance writer and journalist. Author of Hands, published by HarperNorth (2022). Formerly senior reporter at The Bookseller. Please contact Laurenbrown.writes@gmail.com for general enquiries and literary agent Marilia Savvides of The Plot Agency at Marilia@theplotagency.com for book and writing-related enquiries.
Trade debates shift towards shorter books for children
A notable shift towards shorter children’s books is being reported by publishers, agents and librarians, with many welcoming what they see as a challenge to the idea of length as “a marker of merit”, particularly in relation to middle-grade titles.
Man faces £50k costs after tribunal rules he deliberately behaved unreasonably and failed to progress his own claim
Judge says claimant ‘vacillated wildly’ and failed to define a list of issues, making it ‘impossible’ for respondents to understand the legal case against them.
Council worker left with PTSD after Grenfell Tower fire wins record £4.6m at tribunal
Claimant awarded ‘unprecedented’ payment after being sacked while on sick leave.
Woman employed as carer for disabled friend had pay slashed as ‘punishment’ for whistleblowing, tribunal rules
Judge says claimant’s protected disclosures around potential exposure to Covid and lack of training on a piece of medical equipment instigated ‘deterioration’ in relationship.
MPs call for sick pay reform to help workers who need it most – but what would it mean for employers?
Experts have claimed that sick pay regulation is ‘failing its primary purpose’ as MPs demand reform to provide extra support without placing financial strain on businesses.
Over half of employees say they plan to make a flexible working request once new rules come in – but are employers ready?
Over half of employees (55 per cent) are planning on making a flexible working request when new regulations come into effect on 6 April, a survey has found, prompting calls for businesses to “brace themselves” for an influx of requests.
Publishers despair at late payments from Marston Book Services amid IPG systems changes
A number of publishers have told The Bookseller they have had to chase payments and paperwork for “weeks, sometimes months” from Marston Book Services, facing “appalling” communication from the distributor.
The Black British Book Festival looks to broaden its reach—again
‘Where there’s a need, people will come’, says Selina Brown of the Black British Book Festival, which uses accessible pricing and ambitious programming to target non-readers.
Amazon removes listings from ‘leech publishers’ as PA urges consumer caution
The Publishers Association is urging readers "to be vigilant when buying texts online to ensure that they are buying original works" after it identified a number of “workbooks and other publications which condense or summarise copyright-protected content” appearing on Amazon based on newly published books.
Spiralling costs and the impact of Brexit hit indie publishers as Sandstone collapses
Independent publishers in the UK have spoken of their fears over financial viability, after renowned Scottish house Sandstone Press went to the wall as a result of tough trading conditions.
I thought picking at my skin was just a bad habit – but it was more serious than that
Sitting at my office desk in 2018, I suddenly felt a familiar, irrepressible urge filling me up like hot lava.
I was going through a particularly stressful time, trying to organise a place to live with a couple of acquaintances. I was on edge. It was a creeping feeling, gathering momentum before swamping my mind completely.
I tried, as I had many other times before, to push it down, smother it, and expel the fire by taking deep breaths, but my concentration was shot. I had no idea what I’d be...
Workplace mental health | How to genuinely help employees, from discouraging competitive busyness to creating meaningful work
In this myGrapevine+ piece, we explore the ongoing issues surrounding employee mental health and wellbeing, what HR can do about it. It includes:
An exploration of the state of employee mental health going into 2022, and how it will shift this year
Expert analysis of the mental health concerns born from the pandemic
What employers can do to prevent and manage their workforce’s mental health in the best way possible
This piece is exclusive to myGrapevine+ and is only available as part of our p...
How much is too much?
Despite well-meant refrains such as "Time to Talk" and "It’s OK not to be OK" increasingly permeating the cultural consciousness and signifying a very hopeful and positive shift towards a society more understanding of mental health, the co-option of such messaging by corporations and brands can sometimes make them ring hollow. And the neatly packaged campaigns can smother the reality of what it is they’re talking about.
For me, someone who suffers from generalised anxiety disorder and depress...
Data, talent and hybrid work | Three HR directors share their strategic focuses and predictions for 2022
myGrapevine+ heard exclusively from Janet Klin, Vice President of People and Culture at Proportunity, Genevieve Nock, HR Director at New Directions Group, and Katherine Easter, Chief People Officer at the pension protection fund about their HR predictions for the year and plans for the next twelve months.
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myGrapevine+ is the latest way we are supporting a growing community of forward-thinking business leaders. Member...
Books: Memorable memoir from first-time author
A debilitating condition that could afflict up to 5% of the population has been highlighted by a sufferer in a brilliant memoir. Debut author Lauren Brown tells David Whetstone how success has come out of trauma
Lauren Brown’s secret life is about to spill into the public domain in a way that has generated a tangle of mixed feelings.
She has written a book… and that is exciting. “Getting a book published is something that just doesn’t happen to people from Billingham,” she says, despite havin...