As celebrity books boom, professional authors are driven out of full-time work

Novelist Donal Ryan is the latest name forced to seek an income outside books, while children’s writers complain that stars from other media monopolise advancesDespite scoring three bestsellers in five years and a clutch of awards, The Spinning Heart author Donal Ryan has been forced to return to his day job in the Irish civil service in order to pay his mortgage.Ryan has become the latest casualty of tumbling incomes for writers. Despite receiving advances and signing a deal to write three more books with his publisher, the Irish novelist said he had found it impossible to earn a living wage as a full-time writer. “You need to have something else on the go,” he told the Irish Sunday Independent. “You could take a chance and scrape a living through bursaries and writing books, but I’d get too stressed out. It just isn’t worth it. I have two kids in school and I have a mortgage to pay.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2017-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #living wage #day job #irish novelist #full-time writer

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Changes In 'New York Times' Books Coverage, Explained

At a luncheon in Manhattan yesterday, 'New York Times Book Review' editor Pamela Paul, who oversees all books coverage at the 'New York Times,' laid out the newspaper's vision for the future of its newly-unified books desk. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Printing money: 10 of the richest book deals of all time

The Obamas’ $60m book deal has broken all records. From James Patterson to JK Rowling and Pope John Paul II, here are some of their closest rivals1. Seventeen books by James Patterson ($100-150m)When? 2009 Related: The audacity of hype: could Obama's presidential memoir be the greatest ever? ... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #jk rowling #james patterson #printing money


'Timely' new book from US Senator Warren to William Collins

William Collins has acquired Senator Elizabeth Warren’s "important" new book This Fight is Our Fight: The Battle to Save Working People for publication on 4th May 2017.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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First Authors Announced in France’s Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honor Program

At the Berlin Film Festival's Soirée française du cinéma, authors are announced for participation in France's Guest of Honor plans at Frankfurt Book Fair. The post First Authors Announced in France’s Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honor Program appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #honor plans #honor program #authors announced


Trade Show Notes: London Book Fair Hosts Fair Use Debate; BookExpo Announces Author-Speakers

The London Book Fair announces a debate on fair use and copyright. And BookExpo announces Stephen King will speak at the Author Breakfast. The post Trade Show Notes: London Book Fair Hosts Fair Use Debate; BookExpo Announces Author-Speakers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlists offer ‘optimism in uncertain times’

The 18-strong shortlists for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017 show a strong presence from independent Chicken House as well as publishers Hachette and Penguin Random House. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Calls for 'Vigilance In These Not Normal Times'

In a statement on the group's website, the Authors Guild has called the current political climate a time "when writers have a particularly important role to play" in the preservation of democracy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Freedom of Expression: Authors Guild Teams With LitNet in ‘Not Normal Times’

Asserting the value of 'the voices of refugees, writers, and translators from the Arab world,' the author-advocacy organization speaks out. The post Freedom of Expression: Authors Guild Teams With LitNet in ‘Not Normal Times’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Costa Book of the Year: Sebastian Barry celebrates second win

Sebastian Barry becomes the first novelist to win the prestigious Costa Book of the Year prize twice. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Full Text of 'Bad Feminist' Author Roxane Gay’s WI12 Speech

For many at Winter Institute, Roxane Gay’s opening keynote, which called on booksellers to step up their role in providing sanctuary, set the tone for one of the most political and energizing bookseller gatherings in recent memory. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: London Book Fair’s Authors of the Day; Scribd’s New Magazines

Two Polish authors—one named for his cross-media work—are among London Book Fair's lineup of Authors of the Day in March. The post Industry Notes: London Book Fair’s Authors of the Day; Scribd’s New Magazines appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author sued for making children's books from classic novels

A Swedish writer is being sued for infringing copyright after making children’s versions of novels such as Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Who Turns Classics Into Children’s Books Is Sued

The author Fredrik Colting, whose KinderGuide books are based on classic novels. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2017-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New British books prize for BAME authors unveils inaugural longlist

The Jhalak prize lines up 12 titles – taking in fiction, history, politics and YA fantasy – showcasing ‘the strength, range and promise’ of UK writers of colour A debut novel about inherited identity, a dystopian fantasy from a former children’s laureate, a study of Indian healthcare and radical... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frog and Toad from famous book series may be gay, author's daughter says

In 1974, children's author and illustrator Arnold Lobel published his first Frog and Toad book. Four years later, he came out to his family as gay. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2016-12-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Three James Patterson books released in digital for first time

James Patterson's first three Alex Cross detective novels are being released in e-format for the first time by Arrow. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors to gift refugee book to MPs

Writers including A L Kennedy, Sebastian Barry and Courttia Newland are to participate in an event which will see MPs given copies of A Country of Refuge (Unbound) in the hopes that this will "change the tone of the debate on refugees". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair Awards Add Rights Professional of the Year

The London Book Fair's International Excellence Awards has added a Rights Professional of the Year category. Winners will be announced in March 2017. The post London Book Fair Awards Add Rights Professional of the Year appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Teaming Up: London Book Fair and Nielsen, Authors Guild and Media Coalition

The London Book Fair's Quantum Conference and Nielsen's BookInsights merge, while the Authors Guild and Media Coalition get together on freedom of speech. The post Teaming Up: London Book Fair and Nielsen, Authors Guild and Media Coalition appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Competition Celebrates German Children’s Book Translators

Growing interest in German children's books led to a translation competition to identify up-and-coming translators. Here we announce the top translators. The post Competition Celebrates German Children’s Book Translators appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-12-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #german children #growing interest