The Publishers Association

Last night at the Unwin Award and Lecture we celebrated our shortlisted authors and the power of non-fiction writing to spark debate and move public opinion. Unwin Lecturer Professor Jim Al-Khalili spoke about his career in science communication and the history and popularity of science writing. In her acceptance speech for the first ever Unwin Award, Caroline Criado Perez delivered a powerful rallying cry for human creativity.

The Unwin Award has announced Caroline Criado Perez – writer, broadcaster and award-winning feminist campaigner – as the winner of its inaugural prize. This new literary award recognises non-fiction writers in the earlier stages of their careers as authors, whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world. The Unwin Award Judging Panel 2025 praised this political, passionate, and persuasive author’s scope of research, use of statistics, and sharing of personal insights – as well as her undeniable tireless fervour in pursuit of illuminating the truth, and her pure skill and strength as writer. The panel recognised the countless and clear global impacts of Caroline Criado Perez’s work in influencing policy, research, news commentary and conversation, alongside the astonishing afterlife of her books that continue to resonate with readers around the work long after publication. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_m9UESY

MPs are overwhelmingly in favour of greater transparency and fair compensation from AI developers using copyright materials to train their large language models (LLMs). New research from the Publishers Association, conducted by Savanta, reveals that: - 9 in 10 (92%) MPs believe AI developers should be required to be transparent with authors and publishers about the works used to train their models - 86% agree that compensation ensures the creative efforts of rightsholders are valued and protected - Only a quarter (26%) of MPs felt that transparency requirements could hinder developments in technology Publishers Association CEO Dan Conway said: “We’re at the generationally critical moment in the UK’s development of a fair and sustainable approach to AI. This polling shows the overwhelming cross-party political support for transparency requirements and compensation for rightsholders. We ask that the government listens to MPs and brings forward transparency mechanisms without delay, pausing for breath on the more polarising copyright proposals floated in the consultation. Transparency will support a commercial market for AI deployment which truly works for society, contributes to national security, supports both British tech and creative content businesses to thrive, and fundamentally help drive UK growth.” Find out more about the polling and the results: https://lnkd.in/eyu7F24v Read The Times article: https://lnkd.in/ewmeNUDc

Following the article in The Atlantic covering LibGen and the training of Meta's AI model, hear more on the key issues from journalist Alex Reisner, author Rosie Wilby and Publishers Association General Counsel and Deputy CEO Catriona MacLeod Stevenson on The Media Show yesterday afternoon: https://lnkd.in/eMqUZ48g

Just one week to go until the Unwin Award and Lecture! This year, the lecture will be delivered by quantum physicist, academic, author, broadcaster and one of the UK’s best known science communicators, Professor Jim Al-Khalili. The Unwin Award is a new literary award recognising non-fiction writers in the earlier stages of their careers as authors, whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world. Here’s a reminder of our shortlist: Catherine Belton Caroline Criado-Perez Helen Czerski Afua Hirsch Guy Shrubsole Chris Van Tulleken Find out more about the authors and why the judging panel chose to recognise them: https://lnkd.in/ehayQUqb

Get a concise introduction to current topics in publishing, with advice and ideas from experts. Sign up for the Publishers Association Insights Series: a programme of online events designed to help publishers understand some of the key issues and challenges for the sector. Drawing on the ongoing work the Publishers Association does on behalf of the industry, each webinar will be tailored for SMEs, as well as anyone new to the topic. Our first three events: Tuesday 29th April – 11am to 12pm – AI Driven Productivity for Content Management and Marketing Tuesday 3rd June – 11am to 12pm – Developments in Rights & Licensing: Managing IP in a Changing Landscape Tuesday 1st July – 11am to 12pm – How to Harness Emerging Reader Trends Tickets are free for members, with paid places available for non-members: https://lnkd.in/e6Ynt6mn

This year, we're supporting the award for Academic, Educational and Professional Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards. Congratulations to the shortlisted publishers 👏 : Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Boydell & Brewer Class Professional Emerald Publishing Princeton University Press Sweet Cherry Publishing Find out more about the nominees: https://lnkd.in/eKEUwxe6 Discover the full set of shortlists for the awards: https://lnkd.in/dmVzazDX

Did you know that only 1 in 3 children say they enjoy reading?* Too many children are missing out on the life-changing benefits that reading for fun brings. Support World Book Day Charity to reach their goal of £10,000, to help them reach children in disadvantaged communities with the fun of reading, and a book of their own! 📖✨ For one week only, every donation made through the Big Give will be matched (up to £5,000) — meaning your support will have double the impact! Double your difference today! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gXSyqh2a *Data from National Literacy Trust, 2024

This time last week…a final few snaps from The London Book Fair 2025, featuring the Publishers Association team celebrating Gloria Bailey, MBE's amazing achievement, colleagues appearing on panels covering AI policy, sustainability and apprenticeships and our continued call to Make It Fair. Thanks also to our members, who helped us host visiting politicians and also presented an amazing array of titles in our children's book pitches with The Booksellers Association.

In addition to welcoming Minister Bryant, we were delighted to host a number of political visits to #LBF. We were joined by Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Stuart Andrew MP, where we discussed the impact of publishing to the UK economy. We were also delighted to host Baroness Debbonaire for a visit to the Fair where we focused on the importance of addressing the crisis in children’s reading. #LBF2025