Are small independent publishers doing the work for big publishers?

While the giant firms sink huge sums into fleeting fads, the commitment and passion of the smaller imprints leave a larger impression in the long termIndependent publishers pick the books they loved and wished they published in 2015Here’s an observation: it sometimes feels as though smaller independents are the research and development departments for the big publishers, where literary fiction is concerned. We find great writers, nurture them, wipe their brows, polish their work and buff it until it shines. Then we send them out, readers love the books and they get shortlisted and win major literary prizes.Then the big money imprints swoop in; whisking them away to put them in a sparkly marketing jacket and present them in their new package to the world. A few recent examples: A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride, originally published by Galley Beggar – subsequently taken up by Faber and Faber. Swimming Home by Deborah Levy, published by And Other Stories – and now by Penguin.I have been told on numerous occasions: 'But you’re not a London publisher,' as if geography helps find cracking stories Related: The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley review – a gothic masterpiece How many millions have been spent and will be lost on orange-headed celebrity books this Christmas? Related: Portico prize winner Benjamin Myers: 'Why bother chasing the big publishers?' Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-12-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #half-formed thing #eimear mcbride #galley beggar #deborah levy #numerous occasions #bother chasing

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Are small independent publishers doing the work for big publishers?'


US magazine Poetry faces outcry for publishing work by sex offender

New issue, dedicated to work by current and former prisoners, provokes uproar after it emerges one poet has served time for child pornography offencesThe US’s prestigious Poetry magazine has doubled down on its decision to publish a poem by a convicted sex offender as part of a special edition... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-02-03 16:08:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #poetry foundation #incarcerated people #english literature


As Political Divide Widens, Will Big Houses Rethink Conservative Publishing?

In the wake of the events of January 6, will the Big Five think twice about publishing conservative authors? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-01-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Amazon.com and 'Big Five' publishers accused of ebook price-fixing

Class action lawsuit filed in US claims the houses have colluded with the online giant to keep prices artificially highAmazon.com and the “Big Five” publishers – Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster – have been accused of colluding to fix ebook... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-01-15 13:04:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers accused #ebook price-fixing #online giant #simon schuster #law firm #district court #retail giant #retail platforms #ebooks #macmillan


Commentary: The latest publishing mega-merger might kill off small presses — and literary diversity

The planned merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster may be global but it's bad for books both foreign and domestic. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-12-04 19:25:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #planned merger #simon schuster #penguin random house


Make room for ‘Big Girl, Small Town’

Michelle Gallen’s winning novel documents one Irish woman’s effort to organize the chaos swirling around her. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-12-02 14:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #make room #big girl #small town #michelle gallen


American publisher Levine promises ‘beloved’ titles from his new independent list

American publisher Arthur A Levine has launched the first titles fro his new independent children’s publisher Levine Querido in the UK. Levine founded Levine Querido last April after 23 years as the publisher of Scholastic Inc imprint Arthur A Levine Books. One of the driving forces that led him... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-14 12:12:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #independent children #driving forces #corporate publishing #scholastic #american publisher


Emerald named Independent Publisher of the Year at IPG Awards

Emerald Publishing has been named Independent Publisher of the Year as well as Academic and Professional Publisher of the Year at the 2020 Independent Publishers Guild Awards.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-09-23 08:00:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ipg awards #emerald publishing #professional publisher #independent publisher


Italian Publishers: Small-Press Aid From Rome, Solidarity With Frankfurt

The Italian Publishers Association expresses support for Frankfurt's decision on a physical exhibition and cheers funding for small presses. The post Italian Publishers: Small-Press Aid From Rome, Solidarity With Frankfurt appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-09-10 18:48:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #frankfurt appeared #italian publishers #physical exhibition #small presses #publishers association


Some Big Publishers Find Ways to Cope

Cost cuts and higher sales of digital products have eased the impact of the Covid-19 on the bottom line for some publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-08-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #cost cuts #higher sales #digital products #bottom line


Big Changes for Publishing in W3C

Changes are brewing at the International Digital Publishing Forum, which has been part of the Worldwide Web Consortium for the past three years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-31 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital publishing


Internet Archive to Publishers: Drop ‘Needless’ Copyright Lawsuit and Work with Us

During a 30-minute Zoom press conference on July 22, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle urged the four major publishers suing over the organization’s book scanning efforts to consider settling the dispute in the boardroom, rather than the courtroom. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #internet archive #copyright lawsuit


Some publishing staff set to work from home until 2021

Publishers are divided on when staff should return to office buildings, with some back at their desks already but others—including Pearson and Taylor & Francis—planning to keep some staff at home until next year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-19 14:53:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pearson


PA to refund small publishers' membership fee

The Publishers Association has announced it will refund three months' worth of membership fees for small publishers, in recognition of the trading difficulties faced during lockdown.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-06 02:28:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #small publishers #publishers association


Little Tiger to publish key worker tribute for Independent Bookshop Week

Little Tiger is to publish a picture book celebrating the work of key workers, to raise money for the NHS during Independent Bookshop week. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-26 01:38:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #key workers #raise money #picture book #independent bookshop


Coronavirus has left small publishers desperately fighting for survival

A survey of indie presses shows that 60% fear they could be out of business by the autumn, writes Galley Beggar Press cofounder Sam JordisonOver the past few years, the success of independent publishers such as Fitzcarraldo, And Other Stories, Bluemooose and Influx Press has been something to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-15 06:00:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #small presses #sales drop #physical sales #online retailers #ebook sales #real connection #physical objects #great deal #bookseller


'It's a real battle': African authors fight for publishing independence

Francophone African books are still very often published by French imprints, which can make them hard to get at home. But there is a growing push for changeWhen Cameroonian author Daniel Alain Nsegbe first saw his debut novel for sale in his home city of Douala, the price was so high “you would... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-14 09:59:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #rights territories #local readers #sub-saharan africa #books written #world rights #debut novel


Majority of small publishers fear closure in wake of coronavirus

Survey shows 60% expect the impact of the pandemic may put them out of business, prompting calls for concerted helpMore than half of the UK’s small publishers fear they could be out of business by the autumn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to research by the Bookseller, which... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-07 15:02:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #coronavirus pandemic #work published #sales drop #bookseller #bookshop


New Works by Writers with Disabilities Hit Publisher Lists

For the first time, a spate of new and forthcoming titles written by people with disabilities across the United States suggests that the publishing industry may finally be amplifying their voices and stories. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing industry


Fast-Growing Independent Publishers, 2020

Mango Publishing tops the list for the second year in a row, while other presses are finding their own paths to move ahead. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #move ahead


Penguin Business is to publish 'hilarious' and 'relatable' guide to working

Penguin Business will publish Cate Sevilla's guide to working titled How to Work Without Losing Your Mind.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-22 19:49:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #penguin business