Beyond Jokha al-Harthi: Women Writers from the Gulf

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 ]

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Literature on Lockdown 3: #CultureConnectsUs

Many lives are radically different right now. But birthdays, anniversaries, and public holidays come and go as before. The pink supermoon would have appeared whether we’d watched it from our windows or outdoors among a crowd of strangers. This week, Earth Day, Shakespeare’s birthday, and World... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2020-04-24 14:34:13 UTC ]
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Blackburn to lead HCG's picture books and trade non-fiction publishing

Emma Blackburn is leaving Bloomsbury Children's Books after eight years to join Hachette Children’s Group in the role of picture book and non-fiction publisher.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-24 10:24:27 UTC ]
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Sheltering: Emma Straub’s Book Feels Like a ‘Fantasy Novel’ Now

On this episode of Sheltering, bookstore owner and author Emma Straub speaks with Maris Kreizman about her new novel, All Adults Here. Straub talks about the support that’s poured in for her bookstore (Books Are Magic) and how best to support our local institutions right now. She also discusses... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-23 19:00:30 UTC ]
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South Carolina Bookstore Shares Story of Reopening

Fiction Addiction in Greenville, S.C., has re-opened after the state government gave permission; shoppers are limited to four at a time. "My concern was less for my own health than the health of the store," said owner Jill Hendrix. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Ten Memoirs to Keep You Company in Isolation: A Reading List

Recently, I threw out the first 60 pages of the novel I am currently working on. I had been determined to challenge myself by writing in the third person—I had spent the last ten years working on my first novel in the first person and I thought I was ready for something new and difficult. […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-21 08:48:34 UTC ]
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Literature on Lockdown 2: #CultureConnectsUs

As quarantine continues, we’re all noticing that we respond to lockdown differently. While many spend each day providing care, food and other necessities, those of us privileged enough to be 'stuck at home' are seeing our friends’ and family members’ behaviour change under the new... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2020-04-17 15:42:05 UTC ]
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The only thing better than books is bookstore t-shirts that support booksellers.

It’s not a particularly hopeful time for literally anyone right now (unless maybe you’re getting a $1.7 million tax break?) but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying to help people whenever we can. I’m getting pretty tired of washing my clothes in the bathtub and have been sorely tempted to... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-17 15:09:39 UTC ]
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When Serious Writers Write Books For Kids

Once upon a time Ken Kesey wrote an endearing tale about a wily squirrel and a hungry bear. The unlikely picture book was one of two written by Kesey nearly three decades after his well-known 1962 novel set in a psychiatric hospital, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Who knew? Kesey—as well as... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-17 08:48:38 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of April 20, 2020

Avon buys a new one by Erin Sterling after a six-house auction; Little, Brown preempts a debut middle grade novel; and the sequel to a picture book classic lands at Candlewick. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Coronavirus: Germany Is To Follow Italy in Potential Bookstore Openings

Exemplary among many markets for its early testing and responsible distancing regulations, Germany looks will let bookstores begin reopening Monday. The post Coronavirus: Germany Is To Follow Italy in Potential Bookstore Openings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-04-16 15:02:15 UTC ]
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Rowan Hisayo Buchanan and T Kira Madden on Craft, Candles, and Character

T Kira Mahealani Madden is the author of the memoir Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls. She is still an amateur magician. Rowan Hisayo Buchanan is the author of Harmless Like You—the winner of The Authors’ Club First Novel Award and a Betty Trask Award. Her short work has appeared in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-16 08:48:38 UTC ]
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LBF organiser Reed's 60% refund offer sparks criticism

London Book Fair organiser Reed Exhibitions has faced criticism after offering just 60% of fees back to some participating publishers and agents following this year's cancelled event. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-14 00:06:03 UTC ]
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City Lights Bookstore launches successful GoFundMe campaign

One of the world's most famous bookstores was forced to close because of the coronavirus outbreak and asked for help to pay the bills Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2020-04-12 16:59:42 UTC ]
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‘We’re just doing our best to adapt’: Emma Straub on running an indie bookstore amid coronavirus

The best-selling author and co-owner of Books Are Magic discusses how her store is weathering the crisis while supporting writers, staff, and other bookstores. For years, independent bookstores fought to stay in business in the face of big box stores and Amazon’s unstoppable growth. Now, they... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-04-10 10:30:03 UTC ]
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How An Indie Bookstore Keeps Fighting On

Flyleaf Books’ owner reflects on running an "essential" business during a crisis. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A new app has details on how to support 600 independent bookstores right now.

The plight of independent bookstores during the coronavirus pandemic has brought an outpouring of public support—but, along with it, an often-overwhelming deluge of messaging about whom to support and how. A new app, Save Your Bookstore, is trying to pull more of it together in one place. Save... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-04-09 16:59:54 UTC ]
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From Harry Potter at Home to the National Shelf Service: bookish fun for the lockdown

An updating list of online treats from bibliophiles including JK Rowling, Simon Armitage and Lynda La Plante to entertain locked-down children and adults • The best arts and entertainment during self-isolationGruffalo artist Axel Scheffler has put out a free new picture book explaining the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-04-09 11:04:32 UTC ]
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Look for the Helpers: 11 Picture Book Biographies of Social Justice Leaders

Gather the kids and get to know some trailblazers in civil rights, education, disability, and more through these picture books about social justice leaders. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-04-09 10:41:32 UTC ]
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Egmont buys Matt Lucas picture book, as NHS support initiatives multiply

Egmont has snapped up world rights to a picture book of Matt Lucas' coronavirus version of his charity comedy single, "Thank You, Baked Potato", with proceeds for the book going to his #FeedNHS campaign.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-08 11:15:05 UTC ]
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RELX reports 'significant impact' to exhibitions business owing to coronavirus

RELX, whose Reed Exhibitions business organises the London Book Fair and BookExpo, has published a trading statement revealing exhibitions are being "impacted significantly" by the coronavirus outbreak, making the group's outlook for the year as a whole "highly uncertain". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-08 07:29:50 UTC ]
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