At 48, I should be inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow and her abs. But they make me want to throw things | Emma Beddington

You want a middle-aged woman to run an ultramarathon or start a wellness empire? Can’t I just have a breakdown?There is good news for midlifers, so gird your loins for a flurry of off-brand optimism. Kicking off the list is a new prize for debut novelists over 50. “The reason we launched the award was to say to people over 50: yes, you too can be a shiny, sparkly, new writer – just older,” said Lisa Highton of Jenny Brown literary agents, who launched the award. I am delighted, because it will add new literary later bloomers to my carefully memorised list: Penelope Fitzgerald (first novel published at 60), Raymond Chandler (51) and Annie Proulx (56). It looks less impressive every year I still don’t write a novel, so new blood is welcome.It’s heartening to see more recognition that while life might have stopped you from making that cursed Granta Young Novelists list, this might make your writing richer and more exciting – although nothing short of a full transfusion of virgin’s blood in a Swiss clinic could achieve “shiny, sparkly” for me. This year’s Women’s prize shortlist offers further evidence of that, with five out of six nominees over 50. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-30 13:00:05 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "At 48, I should be inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow and her abs. But they make me want to throw things | Emma Beddington"


When Novelists Become Method Actors

During one of my first open mics in New York City, the comic running the mic tapped me on the elbow after my set and said, “Hey, you’re funny!” She sounded surprised. I was, too. Being funny wasn’t my main goal. I was there to spy on comics, trying to experience the highs and lows […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-07-31 08:49:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this


12 Novels about Historical Women to Inspire a Better Future

The Spanish philosopher and poet George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As a genre, historical fiction allows us to shuttle back in time to stand in the shoes, clogs, chopines, and go-go boots of people—real and imagined—to consider the... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2019-07-15 11:00:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Summer reading: dive into the perfect book

As publishers vie to persuade us to pack their titles for the holidays, we chart the evolution of the ’beach read’Summer reads, beach reads, holiday reads … at this time of year, the publishing world works itself into a sweat trying to force its novels into our carry-on luggage, or over the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-07-14 07:00:23 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Can Sci-Fi Writers Prepare Us for an Uncertain Future?

Businesses and public policy makers are tapping novelists to imagine the path forward. But how much stock should we put in the predictions of storytellers? Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2019-07-12 13:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Writers Who Left: Cuban Exile and What Comes Next, by Margaret Randall

Cultural Cross Sections Margaret Randall Children’s choir at the 2014 La Matanza Book Fair / Photo by Mauro Rico / Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación / Flickr When good engineers or scientists emigrate, they are able to continue their work. Novelists... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2019-07-10 21:07:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Viewfinders: 10 Y.A. Novelists Spin Fiction From Vintage Photos

The New York Times invited Asian-American authors to choose photos from our archives and write short young-adult fiction inspired by them. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-06-28 17:18:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Adam wins Desmond Elliott Prize for 'electrifying' debut Golden Child

Claire Adam has won the £10,000 Desmond Elliott Prize for first-time novelists with her "electrifying" debut Golden Child (Faber). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-18 18:50:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Jurors Announced for the 2020 Neustadt Prize

News and Events WLT Norman, Okla. (June 11, 2019) – Robert Con Davis-Undiano, Neustadt Professor and executive director of the World Literature Today organization at the University of Oklahoma, this week announced the names of nine writers to be the jury... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2019-06-10 16:04:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Adam, Donkor and Mackmin make 2019 Desmond Elliott Prize shortlist

Claire Adam, Michael Donkor and Anna Mackmin have all made the 2019 Desmond Elliott Prize shortlist for debut novelists, with the winner in line for £10,000. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Burns and Rooney make Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist

The 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist has been revealed, featuring Man Booker winner Anna Burns, Costa Novel Award winner Sally Rooney and seven debut novelists.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


New prize for 60+ debut novelists honours Paul Torday

The Society of Authors has launched a new prize for debut novelists over the age of 60: The Paul Torday Memorial Prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Why Brands and Celebs Still Want Their Own Print Magazines

When Doug Olson, the president and general manager of Meredith magazines, reaches for an analogy to describe the launch of Magnolia Journal, his mind goes immediately to O, The Oprah Magazine. “It’s the first time in our history at Meredith that the largest retailers in the business called back... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2018-06-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Six Debut Novelists Are on the 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist

Two previously longlisted authors and one twice-shortlisted writer, Kamila Shamsie, are on this year's Women's Prize for Fiction longlist of 16 novels. The winner takes home £30,000 and a bronze figurine, the 'Bessie.' The post Six Debut Novelists Are on the 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop faces new false advertising claims

Nonprofit group Truth in Advertising claims Goop is exploiting women by marketing products ‘as having the ability to treat diseases and disorders’Goop, the lifestyle and publishing company founded by Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, is facing new criticisms from an advertising... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-08-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Longtime Cookbook Collaborator Makes Her Solo Debut

Julia Turshen has worked with Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Dana Cowin, but is now stepping into the limelight with her debut, 'Small Victories,' due out from Chronicle Books on September 6. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


This Week's Bestsellers: April 25, 2016

From Broadway to bookstores: the #2 book in the country is ‘Hamilton' by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter. Plus Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest lifestyle title launches a new brand for Grand Central, Oprah Winfrey helps Cheryl Strayed onto the bestseller list six months after publication, and... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


GCP to Launch Paltrow's Goop Press

Gwyneth Paltrow's website-turned-lifestyle-brand, Goop, now has its own book imprint. Goop Press will be housed within Hachette's Grand Central Publishing division and will publish at least one Goop-branded title per year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Desmond Elliott prize reminds us that authors need long-term support

With her prizewinning debut, Claire Fuller could be following in the footsteps of Ian Rankin and Hilary Mantel who found success with their later work – but only with the support of her publisherAs one of the judges for the Desmond Elliott prize for best debut novelist this year, I couldn’t help... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Janet Ellis novels among raft of pre-Fair deals

Two Roads has acquired two novels by actress and ex-"Blue Peter" presenter Janet Ellis in a deal done just before the London Book Fair. Meanwhile Chatto & Windus, Hodder & Stoughton, Serpent's Tail and Penguin Press are among the other publishers announcing pre-LBF deals. Lisa Highton,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Miniaturist up for £10K book prize

The Miniaturist, Jessie Burton's award-winning, best-selling first novel, is one of 10 titles in contention for a £10,000 prize for debut novelists. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this