After Unbound’s Collapse, Boundless Faces Uphill Battle to Rebuild Trust
publishersweekly.com – Tuesday June 3, 2025
With the collapse of U.K. crowdfunding publisher Unbound leaving a trail of unpaid authors, suppliers, and industry partners, its successor company, Boundless Publishing Group, will likely struggle to convince stakeholders it can survive where its predecessor failed.
Unbound, once heralded as an innovative alternative to traditional publishing, filed for bankruptcy in March after losing approximately £9 million for shareholders (revised down from initial calculations of £30.4 million) and owing an estimated £2.4 million to creditors, according to the bankruptcy administrator reports. The company was sold through a pre-pack administration for just £50,000 to Boundless Publishing Group, led by CEO Archna Sharma and cofounder John Mitchinson.
But Mitchinson has since resigned from the company, and in an email to authors last week, Sharma announced that Boundless would suspend "goodwill payments" to cover Unbound's past debts, citing cash flow constraints. The decision affects 238 authors and agents owed £657,000, nearly 8,000 website customers who pre-ordered books owed £391,000, and other trade creditors owed £829,000.
"We simply do not have the cash at the moment to make further historic goodwill payments," Sharma wrote. "What cash we have is focused on paying the salaries of our employees, ensuring our current committed publishing program is a success, and ensuring all royalties arising from the inception of this new company are paid on time."
In an interview with PW, Sharma emphasized that she inherited Unbound's problems rather than caused them. "I would just like to put on record that I did not create the mess that we're in, though I am the person trying to fix it,” she said. “The only way that we can fix it is if we can keep our business going and move ahead.”
Audio Publishers Association: US Audiobook Sales Reach $2.22 Billion
publishingperspectives.com – Tuesday June 3, 2025
Digital audio accounted for 99 percent of 2024’s US audiobook revenues, per newly released survey results.
General Fiction Holds the Largest Genre Usership
Always helpful in observing the evolving strength of the audiobook market in the United States, the Audio Publishers Association (APA), led by executive director Michele Cobb, has released its annual surveys on sales and trends in 2024—cheering many audiobook fans with a 13-percent gain over 2023.
Digital audiobooks—the “born again” format that has given audiobooks new life after dark decades of unwieldy tape cassettes and CDs—are the clear vehicle of success here: the association’s information indicates that in 2024, digital audio accounted for 99 percent of 2024’s US audiobook revenues, growing year-over-year by 14 percent.
Those points are from the APA’s Sales Survey, which was conducted by Toluna.
The APA’s 2025 Consumer Survey, conducted again by Edison Research, reports that 51 percent of Americans responding who are aged 18 and older—representing an estimated 134 million people—told researchers that they have listened to an audiobook.
Thrillers celebrated as crime writers tour county
bbc.co.uk – Monday June 2, 2025
Crime novelists will be visiting libraries across East Yorkshire in June to talk about writing thrillers.
Eight authors, including Hull's Nick Quantrill, will be taking part in a series of talks as part of National Crime Reading Month.
Hayley Clark from East Riding Libraries said the county was "so lucky to have such brilliant local authors" and she was excited to be involved in the events.
The free talks take place between Wednesday 4 June and Friday 27 June.
National Crime Reading Month is an initiative by the Crime Writers' Association and is funded by Arts Council England.
Eight writers will appear at the county's libraries, including Mr Quantrill, who authored the Joe Geraghy series of crime novels.
Channel 4 New Writers Scheme
bbc.co.uk – Thursday May 29, 2025
Channel 4’s New Writers Scheme is a one-stop-shop for new writers with a burning desire to write TV drama. It is open to unrepresented new writers looking for their first writing credit. This scheme is aimed at those currently underrepresented in the TV industry. They are particularly keen to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and people from lower socioeconomic groups.
The Writers' Block – Stage Writing for Commission
bbc.co.uk – Thursday May 29, 2025
The Writers’ Block is running a 4 day training programme for Emerging Playwrights, funded and supported by The Minack Theatre. The outcome of the programme is for the Minack Youth Theatre to commission a selection of short, original plays for Autumn 2025.
They’re looking for emerging writers of all ages and backgrounds who are passionate about storytelling and interested in writing a short play for the Minack Theatre and its Acting Academy for children and young people. This is a unique opportunity to have a ten-minute play produced and performed in a one-day event in front of the Minack’s family-oriented audience.
Rockpool Publishing unveils Sweet Hearts Press gift imprint
thebookseller.com – Tuesday May 27, 2025
Rockpool Publishing has launched Sweet Hearts Press, a new imprint that is aiming to "revolutionise the gift industry".
Sweet Hearts Press will feature a range of gift products, including reading journals, mindfulness puzzles, niche books and wrapping-paper books.
The new imprint will officially launch on 1st July 2025 and its books will be available globally through Simon & Schuster’s distribution partners.
Literary conference coming to North Vancouver brings authors and publishers together
nsnews.com – Thursday May 22, 2025
A major literary gathering with a focus on connecting authors with the publishing world is coming to North Vancouver in June.
The Vancouver International Publishing Conference (VIPC) will be held at the Wallace Venue at The Shipyards in North Van on June 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With panellists from major publishing houses, literary agents and authors from across North America, this is an event to be on the calendars of both publishing professionals and aspiring authors.
Megan Williams, North Shore based CEO and founder of the Self Publishing Agency, Inc., is organizing the event with members of her team. She’s hoping to provide information and expertise not typically accessible in the Vancouver area.
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