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 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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Benedicte Page reflects on the current status of literary fiction and the role of independent publishers in the book industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publishers are increasing their focus on events, social media and developing a strong identity through their output to boost sales and build communities of readers, a range of indies have told The Bookseller. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Independent Publishers Caucus has taken another step in its effort to become an advocacy group for independent publishers, naming former Tyrus Books publisher Ben LeRoy as its first executive director. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two independent publishers in Germany talk about how they are preserving their literary lists as the market shifts toward commercial titles and other forms of entertainment. The post Liebeskind and Verlag Antje Kunstmann: Independent Publishers in a Shifting German Marketplace appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The third year of the International Alliance of Independent Publishers' Tehran Book Fair Uncensored program includes an anthology of writings censored in Iran but not yet published outside the country. The post ‘Tehran Book Fair Uncensored’ Adds an Anthology of Writings Forbidden in Iran... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Colombia, the seven independent publishers of 49 Libros and their shared distribution company Huracán have had a new day in the sun at the Bogotá International Book Fair’s new small-press pavilion. By Andrés Delgado Darnalt | @andeldar ‘To Reach Our Markets Strategically’ s the Bogotá... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Australia has a record turnout at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair after a campaigner lobbied its government to free up funds for independent publishers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A new, monthly bestseller list from Germany highlights fiction titles from independent publishers. The February bestsellers include historical fiction, the latest in a detective series, and a number of translations. The post New from Germany: February 2018 Bestsellers from Independent Publishers... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publishers are rejoicing at the news they are bucking the market trend, with their sales up 2.7% to £511.4m compared to just 0.2% growth in the wider market, as the annual Independent Publishers Guild Spring Conference gets underway in Oxfordshire. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sharri Markson points finger on deputy PM – but did the business daily get there first? Plus: Fairfax battens down the paywall Sharri Markson was in her element this week, appearing on TV to talk about her Daily Telegraph scoop on Barnaby Joyce’s infidelity and the baby he is expecting with a... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-02-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Arts Council England has pledged to engage with more bookshops, fund more writers and lobby the government to provide tax relief to independent publishers following a report finding that “the general trend for literary fiction is a negative one”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The late author Helen Dunmore is shortlisted for a Costa Award along with Jon McGregor, Kamila Shamsie and Sarah Winman with almost half of the titles coming from independent publishers in a strong year for women writers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publishers and small presses stormed this year’s British Book Design & Production Awards, claiming a staggering 16 of the 18 awards on the night. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookselling Without Borders, which is sponsored by five independent publishers, is looking to raise $30,000 on Kickstarter. The funds will be used to send booksellers to three international book fairs next year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Clarissa Luard Award for Independent Publishers has been revealed with Lantana Publishing, Little Toller Books, Peepal Tree Press and Penned in the Margins all in the running for the £10,000 prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Heinemann has landed two titles on the Goldsmiths Prize shortlist, with Will Self and Jon McGregor both nominated for the £10,000 award. The Cornerstone imprint has H(a)ppy by Nicola Barker and A Line Made by Walking by Sara Baume in the running alongside contenders from independent... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Norwich-based independent publisher Galley Beggar Press is opening up general submissions in order to "keep [itself] open to surprises and the wider world". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When Marilyn Edwards, who has died aged 71, took up a job at the Publishers Association in 1965, she found herself at the focal point of a book trade still retaining something of its character as a cottage industry – dozens of independent publishers, each with its own characteristics, serving... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2017-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seven titles from independent publishers are in the running for the inaugural £5,000 Ledbury Forte Poetry Prize, which celebrates second poetry collections. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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