Lecturer at @stirpublishing (opinions my own); researcher on smartphone storytelling for an AHRC CDP PhD at @BritishLibrary; journalist; writing a novel; He/him
As part of my efforts on Work Package 3 of the COPIM project I am engaged in a project that seeks to convert publishers to business models that will allow them to publish their books openly, without using unaffordable book processing charges (which...
Cambridge University Press to be merged with Cambridge Assessment The University of Cambridge has announced that Cambridge University Press, the world’s oldest publisher, will be merged with the un…
**THE PERFECT GIFT FOR OUR TROUSERLESS TIMES** Office workers of the world, unite! (remotely.) You have nothing to lose but your trousers. Working from home has liberated many of us from the annoyances of office life. We no longer need to queue for...
Food is poison when it becomes politics. The French Revolution happened when the price of bread hit a record high. The repeal of the Corn Laws brought down a prime minister. Margaret Thatcher became “the milk snatcher”, while Theresa May’s suicidal...
Total number of deaths from Covid-19 across UK reaches 61,116; 55 MPs sign letter to PM expressing fears that government’s ‘levelling up’ for the north is being abandoned
Alastair, in the week before teaching be"Ministers are examining how holiday clubs could be used to feed hungry youngsters in England in an effort to solve the free school meals row [without making it obvious that they're climbing down]."
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After shaky start in lockdown, Bloomsbury sales soar as people pick books over box sets
Alastair, in the week before teaching beBloomsbury - or, as the Guardian would have it (*sigh*), the 'Harry Potter publisher' - has reported its most profitable first half-year in more than a decade, and reckons COVID-19 may be partly responsible.
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We’re delighted to announce that the Open Library of Humanities (OLH) has won the award for Small Digital Publisher of the Year at the Association of Online Publishers (AOP) Digital Publishing Awards 2020 virtual ceremony, celebrated yesterday in...
I experienced the warmth and kindness of the Guardian’s late former football correspondent. It will stay with me forever
Alastair, in the week before teaching be"To be in the presence of Kevin McCarra was to be in the presence of the nicest, kindest human being you could wish to meet."
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Tory MP falsely accused Labour leader of 'selling British secrets to communist spies'.
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Alastair, in the week before teaching beDo you reckon @BBradley_Mans would be a bit more careful about what he says on Twitter if he could escape his dependency on rich Tory donors bailing him out when he screws up? Time to take personal responsibility, Ben!
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When you can dine lavishly within the House of Commons for less than a fiver, why would MPs go elsewhere?
Alastair, in the week before teaching beOf course, when they *are* at the office, MPs' meals are heavily subsidised. Rather more than at your typical work canteen.
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