‘A smorgasbord of unlikability’: the authors helping ‘sad girl lit’ grow up

In this post-Fleabag world, publishing has become obsessed with the inner turmoils of messy millennials – but isn’t it time they pulled themselves together? Meet the novelists subverting the clichesYou’ve probably come across this woman: she is unfulfilled in her career, has been abandoned by at least one man, she is aimless and lamenting the obstacles in her life (of which, in reality, there don’t appear to be many). She is not just miserable, she’s a mess; self-absorbed and full of self-loathing.If you’ve read a book by a woman, about a woman, that has been published in the last five years, then it’s overwhelmingly likely that this woman was the protagonist. The narrative likely circled around this character’s sadness, her passive struggle to overcome it, and little else. Typically, such stories have notes of darkness but will rarely deliver the actual thing. Usually the main character (like the author) will be middle-class, if not incredibly wealthy. Almost always she will be white. The book’s cover will probably feature a devastated-looking woman with her hair covering her face or her head cradled in her hands. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-08-08 15:19:43 UTC ]
News tagged with: #ve read #main character #rarely deliver #novelists

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘A smorgasbord of unlikability’: the authors helping ‘sad girl lit’ grow up'


Authors United’s Next Move: DOJ

With the Amazon-Hachette dispute cutting Hachette authors sales by at least 50 percent, a group of concerned authors is turning to the government for help. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 23, 2014: Charles M. Blow

Charles M. Blow, author of 'Fire Shut Up In My Bones' (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544228047) will appear on 'The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell' on Tuesday, September 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK author James Dawson chimes in on debate over 'white faces' in children's books

UK children’s laureate Malorie Blackman faced racist comments after Sky News misquoted her as saying there were 'too many white faces' in children's literature.  Now young adult author James Dawson has stepped into the fray, saying, "Malorie did not say there are too many white faces in... Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-09-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Book Festival Grows in Portland

Wordstock, one of the largest celebrations of literature and literacy in the Pacific Northwest, is gaining a new parent. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 19, 2014: Annabelle Gurwitch

Annabelle Gurwitch, author of 'I See You Made an Effort: Compliments, Indignities, and Survival Stories from the Edge of 50' (Blue Rider, 9780399166181), will appear on the 'Queen Latifah Show' on Friday, September 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Authors United speak out

European and US governments should act to protect “the literary marketplace from domination... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Graffeg signs Sad Cat merchandise deal

Graffeg Publishing has signed a deal with author Tom Cox, to produce calendars and merchandise... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 18, 2014: Judy Bachrach

Judy Bachrach, author of 'Glimpsing Heaven: The Stories and Science of Life After Death' (National Geographic Books, 9781426213700), will appear on the 'Dr. Oz Show' on CBS on Thursday, September 18. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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An Author’s Best Friends: Booksellers and Librarians

Booksellers and librarians are among your best resources as an author. They are at the front-line of presenting your book to the public. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Gives KU Authors $2.7M Bonus

Kindle Direct Publishing "All-Stars," which includes the top 100 authors and top 100 books, will split a multi-million dollar incentive. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 17, 2014: Ali Larter

Ali Larter, author of 'Kitchen Revelry' (St. Martin’s Press, 9781250036353) will appear on 'The Chew' on Wednesday, September 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Canada's Big Fiction Prize Grows

The founder of Canada's Scotiabank Giller Prize announced yesterday that the prize purse will double, to C$140,000. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 16, 2014: Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells, author of 'What Would Mary Ann Do?: A Guide to Life' (Taylor Trade Publishing, 9781630760281), will appear on NBC's 'Today' on Wednesday, September 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Handy rebrands to be the name you remember for help around the house

On-demand cleaning and housework platform and iOS app Handybook has dropped the “book” from its name. It might not seem like a big deal, but CEO Oisin Hanrahan says the change will clear up some confusion. “People associated us with an actual, physical book,” he said. “We meant booking. They... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2014-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fat Fox acquires debut picture book author Tan

Independent publisher Fat Fox Books has acquired the debut picture book from Wen Dee Tan, who... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bestselling authors write to Amazon's board over 'ugly' Hachette sales dispute

Group representing Donna Tartt, Stephen King and others says Amazon tactics have driven sales down by at least 50%Some of the worlds most famous authors escalated their heated dispute with Amazon on Monday, publishing a letter to retailers board warning of the ugly history of blocking book... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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France Festival Highlight Québécois, Indian Authors

For lovers of literature, Paris is the place to be for the next two weeks, as Festival America and Festival des Ecrivains du Monde highlight Francophone writers from Quebec and Indian authors. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers' portals look to inform authors

More than 700 authors and 75 agencies have registered for Random House’s Author Portal... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury signs debut author Lou Carter

Bloomsbury has acquired the world rights for two picture books from debut author Lou Carter.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Publishing Education of a Jersey Girl

Lauren Pizza, the quintessential Jersey Girl, turned around a memoir in four months, with boundless energy, the help of SkyHorse Publishing and a few psychics. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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