Saturday, June 19, 2010

Richard & Judy return with new book club

18.06.10 | Graeme Neill in The Bookseller

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan have stepped back into the book world with a new club with W H Smith.

The retailer will run "The Richard and Judy Book Club" this autumn, and then again in the spring and summer. The retailer and television duo announced the club to publishers today [17th June]. The book club will not be backed by a television show but six books will be promoted instore this autumn. A single title will be highlighted every two weeks.

In the spring and summer, eight books will be promoted over a 16-week period. The books for each club will be chosen by Richard and Judy as well as WH Smith's buying team. Pricing of the titles has not been confirmed but a WH Smith spokesperson said it was "likely" the new book club would be TV advertised.

Rachel Russell, W H Smith books business unit director said: "W H Smith customers were some of the biggest supporters of the previous Richard and Judy Book Club and we know that they, like us, will be delighted to see a new selection of Richard and Judy's recommended reads in W H Smith stores this autumn."

Finnigan said: "I'm absolutely delighted that we are involved in a Book Club again. People keep telling us how much they've missed it—and so have we."

Madeley said: "We've taken our time on this—we wanted to get all the details exactly right. Our first selection of recommended good reads should be in W H Smith stores across the UK in three to four months. They'll be clearly marked and displayed.

"We're thrilled that the Richard and Judy name is once again associated with books."

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