As sales of print books drop and publishers tighten their belts, good news stories in the world of books remind us that hard work, a good idea, an ear for genre and a stroke of blind luck can still work wonders for a writer. So it is with a debut author in New York whose unpublished manuscript has netted her advances across the world…

Campaigning Premier John Brumby has announced that a $24.7 million headquarters for contemporary music will be established in Melbourne.

The organisation will host Australian Independent Records Labels Association and youth music organisations The Push and FreeZA. The Age reports that the new Australian Music HQ will be located in the city and feature live gigs. The proposed package also includes support for music venues…