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


Ether for Authors: Where Is Publishing’s Jetpack?

A look at a the week's round of web musing on the future of publishing in concept, creative work, and technical production, after Frankfurt Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Almost 300 authors sign up to participate in 'Indies First' effort

Writer Sherman Alexie asked other authors to work at an indie bookstore on Small Business Saturday this year and hundreds of other writers have already pledged their support. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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These (Fake) Self–Help Books Diagnose Nearly Every Way People Are Terrible On Social Media

American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis is what's known in online circles as a world–class troll. For the uninitiated, a troll is someone who expresses a controversial and often contrarian opinion in order to get a rise out of people and draw attention to himself. If someone is widely... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-10-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: Is It Time for Publishing to Call a Truce?

Porter Anderson looks at the Frankfurt Book Fair, at Sprint Beyond the Book and Book Sprints, at pen names, and more in Ether for Authors this week. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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VIDEO: Meet the Author: Val McDermid

Author Val McDermid tells the BBC's Nick Higham about her latest book Cross and Burn, the eighth novel in The Wire in the Blood series. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Killing Lessons author revealed as Glen Duncan

The author of literary thriller The Killing Lessons, snapped up by Orion at auction on the eve of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2013: Debut From Joshua Ferris’s Wife Draws Buzz, Along With Co-Authored Iraq War Novel

Two more books drawing buzz at the fair include a debut novel by Joshua Ferris's wife, and a co-authored book about friendship and the Iraq war. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology Helps News UK Increase Reader Engagement

News UK (formerly News International) installed a new KODAK PROSPER S30 Imprinting System, bringing the total to 22 PROSPER S30s installed by the British newspaper publisher, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp.   The current publisher ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Run, Brother, Run' author David Berg discusses his brother's murder – a crime made famous for the wrong reasons

Berg's memoir chronicles the death of his brother and the aftereffects of the crime. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guide to Frankfurt Available in Spanish

Our Authors Guide to the Frankfurt Book Fair is now available in Spanish, thanks to Dosdoce, The Spanish Digital Link, and Actualidad Editorial. Download it here. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Bryson urges ebook tie-up

Author Bill Bryson calls on publishers to give away ebooks with printed copies in order to tempt readers back to buying physical books. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: What Happens When Everybody’s a Critic?

Our look at the week's web buzz including hotbutton issues around reader reviews, at questions of print vs. ebooks, and at Amy Tan's new book cover. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling wants to help poor single moms — she was one, too

Rowling wrote her book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," when she was a single mother, receiving government benefits. She's now asking the government to step up support for Britain's poor.Without help from the British government, there might never have been a Harry Potter. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ether for Authors: What’s Important in the Man Booker Debate?

This week's buzz round-up looks at the controversial possible changes in the Man Booker Prize rules, New Zealand's publishing decline, Frankfurt tips and more. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Will the Man Booker Prize be open to US authors next year?

News reports are saying American authors will be considered for the prestigious UK literary prize next year, while the Booker Prize organizers say these stories are 'incomplete' but haven't discounted the possibility. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seth's 'A Suitable Girl' moves to Orion

Orion has taken on publication of Vikram Seth's new novel, A Suitable Girl - a sequel to his... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kearns to help judge Roald Dahl Funny Prize

John Kearns, the winner of the best newcomer award at the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing System Helps Writers Determine Audience Interest

InboundWriter wants to help big publishers and niche bloggers figure out how much demand there is for their idea in the Web ecosystem before they type a word or hit "publish." At least that's the idea behind the newest version of the startup's software, which the company said will be used by... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Google+ adds author attribution and embedded posts

Google+ is a great social media service for people to interact with friends and strangers alike. However, much like fellow social media sites Facebook and Twitter, it also serves as a great tool for bloggers and writers. Yesterday, Google announced that it is bolstering its social media service... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2013-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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