‘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'


Henry Patterson, author of The Eagle Has Landed, dies aged 92

The bestselling novelist wrote 85 books, mostly thrillers and spy stories, using the pseudonym Jack HigginsHenry Patterson, the bestselling novelist who wrote the The Eagle Has Landed, has died aged 92.The writer died at his home in Jersey surrounded by his family, his publisher HarperCollins... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-04-09 20:18:44 UTC ]
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No Actions Offered to Librarians to Help With Book Bans From National Org: Book Censorship News, April 8, 2022

This week's book censorship news includes a look at what the American Library Association is -- and is not -- doing right now. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-08 10:41:00 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations

In London Book Fair's Literary Translation Center, one session was about how author-translator relationships aren't always easy. The post At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-07 20:28:50 UTC ]
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Beloved Children’s Author Patricia MacLachlan Has Died at 84

Patricia MacLachlan, author of beloved children's literature including Sarah, Plain and Tall, died on March 31. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-06 10:54:45 UTC ]
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Colin Kaepernick talks about his new venture: Children’s book author

The activist-quarterback discusses the defining moment that sparked his new children’s book, ‘I Color Myself Different.' Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-06 09:00:00 UTC ]
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Patricia MacLachlan, author of ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall,’ dies at 84

Millions of young people read her Newbery Medal-winning novel about two motherless farm children and the gentle woman who comes to the prairie to make them whole. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-05 04:20:08 UTC ]
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Bestselling Swedish Author to Pen Next Three 'Dragon Tattoo' Books

Knopf will be publishing three new books in its Millennium series, which launched with Stieg Larsson's 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' The new titles will be written by bestselling Swedish author Karin Smirnoff, with the first of them set to be released on September 5, 2023. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Authors Love You When You Leave a Book Review Online

Why do authors always ask for readers to leave reviews? Do reviews really help sell their books? Bottom line: yes. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-30 10:35:00 UTC ]
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Meet the P.I. who helped unlock key testimony in a sexual assault case

In the masterful "Tell Me Everything," Erika Krouse explores her uncanny ability to elicit candor, even from perfect strangers. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-29 11:00:29 UTC ]
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Children’s Books by Black Authors: A Reading List 

A reading list hints at the richness and breadth of African American children’s writing before Brown v. Board of Education. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-03-19 09:00:07 UTC ]
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Ukrainian author Yevgenia Belorusets presents a portrait of a traumatized community

The Ukrainian characters in "Lucky Breaks" are displaced by a war that has been raging for years. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-18 11:00:44 UTC ]
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In Focus: AAPI Authors Respond to Anti-Asian Violence

New titles support and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Awards: Sheikh Zayed Shortlists: Literature, Young Author, Children’s Literature

The nine shortlisted tiles in the Literature, Young Author, and Children’s Literature categories come from six Arab nations. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson More Category Shortlists Will Follow he Sheikh Zayed Book Award—organized and administered by the Abu Dhabi Arabic... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-03-18 03:09:10 UTC ]
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Punk saved Sasha LaPointe's life. Her memoir on her Native roots helped her heal

Sasha LaPointe escaped a difficult childhood on a reservation by diving into Seattle punk. Her memoir, "Red Paint," finds solace in her Native roots. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-03-17 13:00:46 UTC ]
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Reyna Grande wants her new novel to help us rethink the term 'invasion'

Reyna Grande, author of "A Ballad of Love and Glory," will join the L.A. Times Book Club on March 29. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-03-15 14:00:51 UTC ]
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Rare Thoughts on Writing From Cormac McCarthy in This Unlikely Interview

Knopf announced March 8 that it will publish two novels by Cormac McCarthy this fall, his first in 16 years, but don’t expect a book tour. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author lives an entirely private life. “He doesn’t give interviews, doesn’t give lectures, and doesn’t do book signings,” Michael... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-03-15 08:55:34 UTC ]
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Caldecott Medalist Opens Retreat for Authors and Artists in the Catskills

Creating a space for children’s book writers and illustrators to share and connect has long been a dream for Sophie Blackall, who has now realized that goal in her launch of the Milkwood retreat in the Catskills. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Indie Authors Don't Have to Go It Alone: Spotlight on Bublish

As a publishing partner, Bublish offers authors a complete solution with a wide range of services, including editing, design, marketing, and distribution. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amy Bloom documents her heart-wrenching journey to help her husband end his life

In Amy Bloom's memoir, she writes of her husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis and all that followed. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-03-08 13:00:45 UTC ]
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The Evolution of the Magical Girl in Manga and Anime

From the predecessors of the genre to the height of its popularity and how it endures today, this is the history of the magical girl. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-08 11:38:00 UTC ]
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