Publisher of great 20th-century writers and thinkers who lifted the lid on the business of booksIn March 1990, the publishing world was stunned by news of André Schiffrin's controversial resignation from the position he had held for the previous 29 years as editor-in-chief of Pantheon Books. Most of his senior editorial team resigned alongside him and a letter of protest was signed by more than 300 eminent authors, including Arthur Miller, William Styron and Kurt Vonnegut. The New Yorkers among them mounted a demonstration outside (the parent company) Random House's headquarters and EL Doctorow used the National Book Critics Circle annual dinner as a platform to express his outrage. The episode ignited a debate about the tension between the political and commercial role of publishing that continues to this day.During his time at Pantheon, André, who has died aged 78, published some of the great writers and thinkers of the second half of the 20th century while sticking to a consistently leftwing agenda. Eric Hobsbawm, EP Thompson, Edward Said, Anita Brookner, RD Laing, Michel Foucault, Noam Chomsky, Art Spiegelman and Marguerite Duras were in his stable, along with Studs Terkel, the idea for whose bestselling oral histories André came up with after listening to Terkel's radio shows. As independent publishers began to be acquired by global conglomerates and phrases such as "fiscal responsibility" were bandied about, André categorically refused to cut his cloth, his list or... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2013-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all aspects of book publishing, from putting pressure on sales channels to changing the kinds of books consumers want. A number of independent publishers have pivoted to meet the demand for books in newly-popular categories and formats. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Press Distribution, which has brought titles from hundreds of independent publishers to readers for more than 50 years, is in urgent need of financial help to keep from folding. A GoFundMe campaign is aiming to raise $100,000 to cover its next month of costs, including health care for its... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-21 15:11:21 UTC ]
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Independent publishers are reinvigorating book subscriptions and launching new services, amid disruption to normal distribution. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-06 10:18:40 UTC ]
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As an ever-increasing portion of the global population finds themselves confined to their homes this week, coronavirus-related coverage is driving major surges in web traffic to publishers, and not just those that specialize in hard news, multiple vendors are reporting this week. The analytics... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2020-03-17 18:19:10 UTC ]
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The new coronavirus is causing unprecedented disruption for independent publishers, but despite those challenges more than half a dozen indies said this week that they were managing to make a somewhat smooth transition to remote work while rallying in support of independent booksellers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Watchdog says Daily Telegraph cartoon conveys offensive stereotypes about Middle Eastern men but is justified in the public interestA cartoon published in a News Corp newspaper which conveyed offensive stereotypes about Middle Eastern and asylum seeker men did not breach press standards because... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2020-02-17 05:58:27 UTC ]
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A key figure in getting Arabic literature into the wider world, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s secretary general calls for ‘solid channels of communication’ with the international industry and its cultures. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson ‘Pushing the Outreach of Arabic... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-10-03 05:44:28 UTC ]
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One of the most interesting things about book publishing, as an industry, is the way imprints and publishing houses develop over time—shifting focus to keep up with public interest, taking on personalities along with personnel, changing hands ad nauseam and merging like no one’s watching.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-08-15 09:36:09 UTC ]
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Engaged fans and ongoing relevance keep the backlist going at independent publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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They should be seen as communications infrastructure, and be made to serve the public interest. Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2019-06-07 01:34:58 UTC ]
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Independent publishers take up more than half of the Wellcome Book Prize shortlist with Canongate, Oneworld, CB Editions and the Text Publishing company all vying for the £30,000 award. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publishers have joined forces with a Hackney bookshop for a charity event in aid of helping the homeless. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fifteen years ago, the social network site was set up to connect people. But now, with lives increasingly played out online, have we forgotten how to be alone?‘Thefacebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at colleges. We have opened up Thefacebook for popular... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2019-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Winter moves among independent publishers: Nonfiction works are the focus in Europa Compass, and Chicago Review Press buys Oklahoma's Council Oak Books. The post Industry Notes: Europa Editions’ New Imprint; Chicago Press Buys Council Oak appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The annual British Book Awards, with winners to be announced May 13, are widening their recognition of independent publishers and of nonfiction and illustrated work in children's books. The post British Book Awards Expanded for 2019 in Children’s Books, Small Presses appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook's plans to topple TV advertising have come to a halt as it shut down key programs that delivered commercials to TV networks and publishers online.Ads are no longer being served to connected TV devices like smart TVs, Apple TV and Roku, the company confirmed. The reason, according to... Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2018-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As politics and publishing collide this year, the International Alliance of Independent Publishers' is organizing a WomenList exhibition of 30 titles on feminism and women. The post ‘WomenList’ from Paris-Based International Alliance of Independent Publishers appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PublishDrive, a global ebook distribution platform for authors and independent publishers, has introduced a new subscription pricing option allowing authors to pay a flat fee. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Poetry Book Society's Winter Selections have been dominated by independent publishers "for the first time ever", while the "prestigious" Winter Choice has been awarded to Raymond Antrobus, published by Penned in the Margins. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-09-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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