‘A terrifying precedent’: author describes struggle to publish British army history

Simon Akam says Penguin Random House cancelled his book about the British army, The Changing of the Guard, and demanded back his advance after he refused to let the MoD vet itIn the summer of 2015, journalist Simon Akam was thrilled when Penguin Random House (PRH) imprint William Heinemann won a five-way auction to publish his book, The Changing of the Guard. It promised to be an “explosive, intimate, authoritative account of the British army”, with PRH likening Akam to George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway and Michael Herr.Six years later, The Changing of the Guard was published – but not by PRH. It was released this February by independent press Scribe, after an extraordinary dispute between PRH and Akam resulted in the publisher dropping the book, spending a year chasing Akam for tens of thousands of pounds, and accusing him of not meeting “the standards of balance and accuracy expected of responsible publishers, authors and journalists”. Related: The Changing of the Guard by Simon Akam review – the truth about the British army Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-07-23 13:00:54 UTC ]
News tagged with: #terrifying precedent #simon akam #british army #demanded back #authoritative account #george orwell #ernest hemingway #michael herr #extraordinary dispute #akam resulted #publisher dropping #accuracy expected #responsible publishers #penguin random house

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘A terrifying precedent’: author describes struggle to publish British army history'

Publishers launch initiative to highlight Palestinian authors and history

The campaign by Publishers for Palestine will offer more than 30 free ebooks of poetry, fiction and nonfiction as ‘an act of solidarity’A group of publishers has launched a week-long initiative encouraging people to read books by Palestinian authors and about Palestinian history by offering free... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-11-29 17:20:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ebooks #verso #verso books #early november #palestinian authors #read books

Amberley picks up 'comprehensive' history of the British Indian Army by Rathee

Amberley Publishing has landed a "comprehensive history" of the British Indian Army by Ravindra Rathee. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-28 01:55:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #amberley publishing

Wildfire to publish 'history of lies' by Humans author Tom Phillips

Wildfire has acquired the second book of Humans author Tom Phillips, looking at "the ingenious ways, throughout history, we've managed to avoid telling the truth" Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ve managed

Brexit will usher in a dark chapter for new British authors, warns publisher

Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury warns UK’s exclusive English rights across EU will end, with firms fighting US companies in an open marketThe next generation of British authors could struggle to land a book deal after Brexit, according to the publisher who launched Harry Potter writer JK... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #guardian view #books sold #close ties #book deal #british authors #dark chapter

Are Self-Published Authors Still Indie Authors?

The publishing landscape is rapidly changing—as is the way self-published authors are viewed. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing landscape #indie authors #self-published authors

The publishing company that's only publishing female authors in 2018

One publishing company has taken up a challenge to put out only books by female authors this year. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2018-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #female authors #publishing company

Ether for Authors: Are Publishers on a Tightrope with Author Solutions?

In Ether for Authors, Porter Anderson looks at the ties many publishing companies have with Author Solutions, at Amazon debates, and at drinking on the job. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing companies #porter anderson #author solutions

A.S. Byatt, British writer and author of Booker Prize-winning 'Possession,' dies at 87

British author A.S. Byatt, who was known for award-winning works including 'Possession' and 'The Children's Book,' has died. She was 87. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-11-17 17:18:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #british author #booker prize-winning #british writer

German publisher halts sale of top author’s books after leak reveals he received €600,000 from Putin ally

Broadcaster NDR launches investigation after Hubert Seipel admits receiving support for work on two books on Russian leaderA German publisher has announced a stop to the sale of books authored by a leading journalist and Russia expert after an investigation showed he had received at least... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-11-15 14:31:23 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #german publisher #russian leader #vladimir putin

IngramSpark: A Decade of Amplifying Indie Authors and Publishers

For ten years, IngramSpark has been at the forefront of the rapidly changing self-publishing landscape. Now they’re looking ahead to the next 10. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ten years

Amazon restricts authors from self-publishing more than three books a day after AI concerns

The company announced the new limitations after an influx of suspected AI-generated material was listed for sale but said that ‘very few’ publishers will be affectedAmazon has created a new rule limiting the number of books that authors can self-publish on its site to three a day, after an... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-20 16:22:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #self-publish #kindle #recent months #company announced

Sharjah Book Authority Announces its 2023 Publishers Conference

The three-day Publishers Conference professional program this year runs October 29 to 31, just ahead of Sharjah International Book Fair. The post Sharjah Book Authority Announces its 2023 Publishers Conference appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-09-18 17:22:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international book

Two New Histories of Publishing

Memoirs by former publishing executives have become something of a cottage industry this year, with two new books by John Sargent and Charles Scribner III offering accounts of the ongoing evolution of the business. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ongoing evolution #john sargent #cottage industry #publishing executives

What the sale of a major American book publisher means for authors, the industry — and you

Book publisher Simon & Schuster's sale to investment firm KKR is novel in many ways, but also part of a long-term trend. History tells us to expect the unexpected. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-08-08 17:35:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publisher

British Independent Publisher HopeRoad Opens Fundraising Appeal

London's 13-year-old HopeRoad Publishing, focused on Caribbean, African, and Asian work, announces it's having cash-flow struggles. The post British Independent Publisher HopeRoad Opens Fundraising Appeal appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-07-28 17:14:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #independent publisher

‘There’s an industry-wide mental health crisis’: authors and publishers on why the books sector needs to change

After a survey revealed the stresses that authors face when placed in the spotlight for the first time, publishing houses and industry bodies have pledged extra training and pastoral careAuthor and publisher welfare has been a hot topic in the books industry of late. Publishing houses, trade... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-18 15:13:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing houses #bookseller #independent publisher #english pen #communications director #anna frame #mental health #hot topic #books industry #industry bodies #survey revealed

The History of Modern American Book Publishing—In Its Own Words

This fall, Running Press cofounder Buz Teacher will release 'Among Friends,' a book featuring more than 100 personal essays by people who had a hand in shaping the book business in America in the latter half of the 20th century. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book business #20th century #book featuring

Authors leave Hungarian publisher in protest at sale to Orbán-linked college

Libri Group’s takeover by Mathias Corvinus Collegium raises fears of crackdown on literary freedomsThe takeover of Hungary’s largest publishing house and bookstore chain by a private foundation with close ties to the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has prompted walkouts from authors who... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-06-23 11:38:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing house #bookstore chain #literary fiction #viktor orbn #prime minister #close ties