When Jokha al-Harthi and Marilyn Booth won the Man Booker International Prize last year, for Booth’s translation of Sayyidat al-Qamr (Celestial Bodies), many hurried to note that al-Harthi was the “first Omani woman writer” to have a book in English translation.While true, this may give the mistaken impression that there is something new about women's writing from the Gulf. But women on the peninsula have been composing sophisticated literature for centuries. Al-Khansa (575-645 AD), who was born and died on the Arabian Peninsula, is said to have been told by an admiring male writer that she was “the greatest poet among those with breasts.” Al-Khansa is said to have replied, archly: “I am the greatest poet among those with testicles, too.” Her work can be read, in vibrant translation, in James Montgomery’s Loss Sings.Prominent poet-filmmaker Nujoom Ghanem, in a 2016 interview that focused on her literary ancestors, had a similar barb: “The majority of poets in our world are male, but quantity does not make quality.” Yet among the younger generation of writers, women often dominate. In Yemen, the UAE, Kuwait, and elsewhere, emerging women writers have been flooding into writing workshops and literary seminars. Each Gulf country could have its own list of 10 women writers. Here are just a few to seek out:Raja Alem (Saudi) – Alem was the first woman to co-win the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), for her classic Mecca novel The Doves’ Necklace (translated by Adam... Continue reading at 'British Council global'
[ British Council global | 2020-02-19 10:26:57 UTC ]
In her first novel since “Americanah,” she draws on a real-life assault as she follows the lives of three Nigerian women and one of their former housekeepers. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2025-03-02 10:00:13 UTC ]
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A prolific novelist, poet, painter and soothsayer, he was inspired by the chaos of his country and published the first novel written entirely in Haitian Creole. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2025-02-27 01:53:19 UTC ]
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On July 30th, 2024, East Bay Booksellers in Oakland, California was completely destroyed by a fire. The bookstore (previously DIESEL, a Bookstore) had been in that location for thirty years. In the months that followed, its owner, Brad Johnson, began keeping a journal of thoughts. What follows... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-02-26 13:46:45 UTC ]
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Andrea Barrett on why writing fresh historical fiction means more than cosplaying the past. | Lit Hub Craft Bookstore owner Brad Johnson reflects on the total destruction, by fire, of East Bay Booksellers (and its rebirth!). | Lit Hub Bookstores Michael Hiltzik on how California made Ronald... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-02-26 11:30:54 UTC ]
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Richard Charkin looks ahead to 'magic bullets' that may be offered to the book business at London Book Fair. The post Richard Charkin: Approaching London Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-24 22:47:06 UTC ]
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Matthew Teller, whose books include Nine Quarters of Jerusalem, said the society’s response to the event which saw two leading booksellers detained was ‘an abject failure’A writer has left the Society of Authors (SoA) in protest after the UK’s largest writers’ body made a statement on a recent... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2025-02-20 17:34:09 UTC ]
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Elyse Durham’s immersive and thematically timely first novel centers on twin sisters, born during the Siege of Leningrad, trained as ballet dancers at the celebrated Vaganova, and launching their careers at the height of the Cold War. The plot is set to detonate at a critical point in the Cold... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-02-18 09:57:15 UTC ]
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Edward Underhill didn’t plan on having his debut adult fiction book, The In-Between Bookstore, featuring a trans main character, come out six days before the Trump inauguration, but it’s kind of perfect timing. Especially since the book features a time slip, where Darby Madden meets his younger... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2025-02-17 12:00:00 UTC ]
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This year's London Book Fair International Rights Center will be on a single floor and 10 percent larger, Adam Ridgway says. The post London Book Fair’s International Rights Center 2025 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-14 23:11:22 UTC ]
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A big-name picture book adaptation of the Grimm fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” goes to HarperCollins, Margaret Atwood brings a memoir to Doubleday, Sourcebooks picks up the memoir of the daughter of Gisele Pelicot, and more in this week’s book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
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There is nothing I love more in a picture book than a good author’s note. Often author’s (and illustrator’s) notes ... Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2025-02-13 12:30:00 UTC ]
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An industry analyst on book sales trends to watch this year, plus Barbara Kingsolver builds a rehab center, bookstore weddings, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2025-02-10 16:40:00 UTC ]
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These picture book biographies about Black changemakers feature a phenomenal athlete, a Wild West baddie, and a talented singer. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2025-02-10 13:30:00 UTC ]
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This year’s authors range from debut stars to award-winning industry regulars, writing books in a range of categories and all certain to fly off bookstore shelves. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-07 05:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair releases highlights in its more-than 100 seminar programs, which address copyright, licensing, film, and reading habits. The post London Book Fair 2025: Seminar Series Highlights appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-05 22:32:41 UTC ]
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The book 'Lion' comes at a time of incalculable loss for Sonya Walger, who lost her home in the Palisades fire. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2025-02-04 11:00:34 UTC ]
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After a decade of downsizing, the beloved bookseller is seeing a resurgence thanks in part to TikTok’s #BookTok and a rise in so-called third spaces. January was a long month, but we finally have some good news in 2025: Bookseller Barnes & Noble plans to open at least 60 new stores this... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2025-02-03 20:30:00 UTC ]
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Hooray, a spot of good news! The Gotham Book Prize, given annually to recognize a new book about New York City, has just released its list of finalists. Formed in 2020 by Howard Wolfson of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bradley Tusk, who owns the indie bookstore P&T Knitwear, the Gotham Prize... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-01-31 16:59:30 UTC ]
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