‘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'


Book Banning County Commissioners Censor Honor for Girl Scout’s Banned Book Library

What begins as a story about a Girl Scout Honor being censored for being about a teen's banned books project is a story of commissioners complicit in book banning county-wide. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-04-24 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Zodiac Academy Authors Launch Publishing Venture

Sisters Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti will rerelease their self-published Zodiac Academy romantasy series in paperback under their newly-formed company, Dark Ink Publishing. On April 23, Dark Ink released 'Restless Stars,' the ninth and final book in the series, with an announced print... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Yan Lianke Wants You to Stop Describing Him As China’s Most Censored Author

In China we have a saying that reading a banned book on a snowy night is one of the true joys of life. From this, one can well imagine the kind of satisfaction that reading a banned book may bring—like candy locked up in a cabinet, it releases a sweet fragrance into solitary spaces. Whenever […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-23 08:56:19 UTC ]
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Daniel C. Dennett, Philosopher and Bestselling Author, Dies at 82

Dennett was the codirector of Tufts University's Center for Cognitive Studies and the author of more than 20 books, known for their provocative arguments about religion, morality, consciousness, and evolutionary biology, among other topics. He died on April 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: April 19, 2024

When is enough enough? Ryan Chapman on wants, needs, money, and time. | Lit Hub Memoir “Resets are necessary throughout a writing life.” Julia Alvarez on falling in love with writing again. | Lit Hub Craft What does Lord Byron have in common with Che Guevara? “A revolutionary who loves poetry... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-19 10:30:28 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: April 18, 2024

“It always says the same thing: the vast majority of writers don’t earn enough from writing to make a decent living.” David Hill reflects on writing as labor. | Lit Hub Memoir Ethel Rohan on writing about grief: “For most of my life, I’ve suffered in shame and silence while the men who hurt me […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-18 10:30:29 UTC ]
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Sophie Kinsella, ‘Shopaholic’ Author,’ Says She Has Brain Cancer

The author of the best-selling book series said she had been undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, after a diagnosis in 2022. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2024-04-17 17:24:05 UTC ]
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Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella reveals aggressive brain cancer diagnosis

Best-selling British author Sophie Kinsella announced Wednesday that she has glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2024-04-17 17:16:17 UTC ]
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Creativity and Cuervo: On Growing Up in My Family’s Liquor Store

The following is from Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice by Eddie Ahn. _______________________________________________ Excerpted from Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice, by Eddie Ahn;... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-17 08:54:48 UTC ]
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‘The crime writer crime writers read’: Garry Disher, author of 60 books and finding fame in his 70s

The Australian author is ‘incredibly influential’, but has had to survive decades of ‘cultural cringe’ and genre snobbery to make finally ‘a decent sort of living’Before parched and dusty towns across Australia became full of fictional sinister people; before the explosion of outback noir and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-04-05 23:00:18 UTC ]
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Lynne Reid Banks, Author of ‘The Indian in the Cupboard,’ Dies at 94

She explored the struggles of young women in the novel “The L-Shaped Room” but found her biggest success with a children’s book about a magical cupboard. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2024-04-05 22:36:08 UTC ]
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Lynne Reid Banks, author of The Indian in the Cupboard, dies aged 94

Writer was also one of first female news reporters on British TV, interviewing stars such as Charlie ChaplinThe author Lynne Reid Banks, known for her novel The L-Shaped Room and her children’s book series The Indian in the Cupboard, has died at the age of 94.She died of cancer “peacefully with... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-04-05 14:04:44 UTC ]
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New Climate Fiction Author Sarah Ruiz-Grossman’s Favorite Cli-Fi Books

This Earth Day, settle into "A Fire So Wild," Sarah Ruiz-Grossman's debut novel about the societal impacts of climate change. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2024-04-05 09:45:24 UTC ]
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Author T L Swan Launches Publishing Venture, Keeperton

In its first year, Keeperton will publish 10 titles—four of them by Swan, whose Miles High Club series is a BookTok favorite—under its romance imprint, Arndell. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: April 3, 2024

Get ready for the fun and the fantastical. Caroline Carlson recommends new children’s books by Maple Lam, Felicita Sala, Laurie Morrison and more. | Lit Hub Reading Lists The collapse of Small Press Distribution has left over 400 publishers uncertain about the future. Adam Morgan talks to small... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-03 10:30:45 UTC ]
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Red Antler Names Kiser Barnes Partner and CCO to Grow at Scale

Brooklyn agency Red Antler named Kiser Barnes as partner and chief creative officer to elevate the work of its client roster, expand its portfolio of global business partners and solidify the agency's creative reputation. Barnes comes to Red Antler from Digitas, where he... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2024-04-01 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: April 1, 2024

New month, new books. Here are the best sci-fi and fantasy reads coming in April. | Lit Hub Reading Lists We know. Sometimes lugging around a hardcover is, well, hard. Maybe these new paperbacks are exactly what you need. | Lit Hub Reading Lists “I ate my food on the couch. Then I went upstairs […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-01 10:30:36 UTC ]
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‘I will defeat Richard Osman!’: Holly Jackson on being Britain’s top selling female crime author

The YA novelist talks about her early love of Tomb Raider, true crime and fangirling the cast of the BBC adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to MurderA few minutes into our conversation, bestselling author Holly Jackson is convinced she’s spotted the American singer Nick Jonas. It would be... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-03-30 11:00:08 UTC ]
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Lit Hub Daily: March 28, 2024

 It turns out that sitting down to write and stepping up to the starting block aren’t so different. Jade Song on what swimming has taught her about craft. | Lit Hub Memoir The Great Bambino wasn’t the only slugger with an unforgettable nickname. Kevin Baker introduces us to Boom-Boom,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-03-28 10:30:28 UTC ]
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