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 ]
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
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 ]
More news stories like this
As fans snap up copies of ‘Onyx Storm’ the #1 (and #2) book in the country, author Rebecca Yarros is regrouping, swiftly. Plus Han Kang’s first novel since her Nobel Prize win, ‘We Do Not Part,’ debuts on our list, and Aurora Ascher has sympathy for the devil. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Independent bookstores in more than 30 cities across six continents will participate in the first synchronized Global Bookstore Crawl on April 26, coinciding with Independent Bookstore Day in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-30 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Among recent book deals are titles guiding Christian women in moving forward after divorce, a look at the psychology of evangelism, a picture book promoting compassion, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Victoria Jackson, the founders of Godmothers bookstore in California, discuss embracing the uncertainty of transitions, creating space for serendipity, and being open to surprises. Each time I walk into a bookstore I choose a book of poetry off the shelf and open it... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2025-01-08 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Online bookstore Allstora, founded by RuPaul, has partnered with actress and trans activist Dylan Mulvaney and Gus Kenworthy, an Olympic medalist in freestyle skiing, to launch two new book clubs, which will distribute 2,500 banned books to LGBTQ+ organizations across the country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-12-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this