‘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 ]

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


Century clinches Tyson Fury’s “warts and all” autobiography

Penguin Random House imprint Century has snapped up boxing champion Tyson Fury’s "warts and all" autobiography. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-11 00:37:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH signs Fleabag’s ‘hot priest’ as part of star-studded audiobook cast

Penguin Random House has announced a star-studded cast including "Fleabag" and "Game of Thrones" actors to narrate a new series of 50 Penguin Classics audiobooks. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-10 22:34:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Indie Booksellers Incensed as Amazon Breaks 'Testaments' Embargo

A highly anticipated new book. A broken embargo. A cluster of angry booksellers. Penguin Random House has reacted to the fact that Amazon seems to have shipped copies of Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments' in spite of the fact that it's on-sale-date is nearly a week away. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH Posts Double-Digit Gains in Sales, Earnings in First Half of '19

Driven by a number of acquisitions and hundreds of bestselling books, profits at Penguin Random House jumped 33.0% in the first half of 2019 over the comparable period in 2018 and revenue rose 11.3%. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-08-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH to match bookshop crowdfunder to give schoolchildren Greta Thunberg's book

A Big Green Bookshop crowdfunder to get copy of climate activist Greta Thunberg's book into schools across the UK has raised more than £11,000 in a month, with Penguin Random House matching copies raised and creating an accompanying classroom pack. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-27 01:46:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Double win for Orion at BMS awards

Orion scooped two prizes at The Book Marketing Society’s latest seasonal awards, with wins for Penguin Random House and Pan Macmillan too.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-23 01:57:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In no man’s land: anger as publisher puts book criticising army on hold

Penguin group rejects claim of censorship after halting publication of Simon Akam’s The Changing of the GuardAfter beating four other publishing houses in an auction, William Heinemann was in no doubt that The Changing of the Guard would more than reward the five-figure advance it paid to its... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-08-18 06:59:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this


12 Books That Prove the Literary/Genre Distinction is Bogus

When I first joined a workshop in 1994, American literary fiction was dominated by and continually lauded a “quiet” kind of writer, one often influenced by J.D. Salinger, Ernest Hemingway, or Raymond Carver. I loved literary fiction—I’d been reading, writing, and submitting it since high school.... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2019-08-16 11:00:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this


New & Noteworthy Audiobooks, From Ernest Hemingway to the Baby-Sitters Club

A selection of books published this week; plus, a peek at what our colleagues around the newsroom are reading. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-08-13 16:46:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Penguin Random House Children’s Books to Publish Wattpad Books in UK

The latest stage in Wattpad's rapid expansion, its own new line of books is to be published in the UK market by Penguin Random House UK. The post Penguin Random House Children’s Books to Publish Wattpad Books in UK appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-08-08 09:05:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH to publish Wattpad Books in the UK

Penguin Random House is to publish Wattpad Books’ launch list in the UK this autumn. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-07 14:50:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH Children’s acquires Vincent’s Fairy Tales for Millennials

Penguin Random House UK Children’s has bought world rights to 12 fairy tale retellings by Bruno Vincent, author of the Enid Blyton for Grown-ups series. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-05 19:08:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH Grupo Editorial buys La Campana to boost Catalan presence

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial in Spain is reinforcing its presence in Catalan through the acquisition of the independent publisher La Campana. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-08-05 16:55:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Spain’s Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Buys Catalan La Campana Llibres

Hoping 'it helps Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial increase its presence in the Catalan-language market,' the company buys the 34-year-old La Campana. The post Spain’s Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Buys Catalan La Campana Llibres appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-31 01:20:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH Added £25 Million to Pearson's First Half Earnings

As Pearson continues to overhaul its education operations, the company said its stake in Penguin Random House contributed £25 million to its adjusted operating profit, up from £22 million in the first half of 2018. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Soccer star Megan Rapinoe signs book deal with Penguin Random House

Outspoken soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe will offer her takes on sports and current events in a new book for the Penguin Press. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-07-25 19:10:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Penguin Random House and Kellogg’s Renew ‘Feeding Reading’ Promotion

Having distributed more than 400,000 children's books last year, the PRH-Kellogg's partnership, Feeding Reading, is back this year with 125 titles on offer. The post Penguin Random House and Kellogg’s Renew ‘Feeding Reading’ Promotion appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-07-25 05:30:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH publishes gender pay gap nine months early and unveils plans for parental leave

Penguin Random House has revealed its gender pay gap figures nine months early with a largely unchanged balance sheet but with a new initiative which sees all new parents at the company given the opportunity to take 12 months off from next year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-24 23:00:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this


New trilogy from Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton

YA author Alwyn Hamilton has sold a new series to Faber Children’s in the UK and Viking at Penguin Random House in the US. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-07-23 05:23:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Penguin Publishing to House Former F+W Titles

After placing the winning bid in the auction for the book assets of bankrupt F+W Media, Penguin Random House has completed the purchase of 2,000 titles and that announced the works will become part of the Penguin Publishing Group. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this