Black authors don’t write only for white women | Dreda Say Mitchell

Yes, book publishers have a problem with writers of colour – it’s just not the one Man Booker prizewinner Marlon James describesThere are so few ethnic minority voices in publishing and the media that when one criticises another it has come to be regarded as a form of strike-breaking. Knowing the obstacles we face (some obvious, others less so), I’ve always been reluctant to cross swords with those facing similar dilemmas – particularly when they’re as brilliant as this year’s Booker prizewinner Marlon James. The Jamaican novelist appeared at a Guardian event and shared some of his thoughts about being a black author.His contention was that black writers are pressured into a style that the major publishers think appeals to white women in the suburbs because they’re the ones who read most novels. The trouble is, the evidence suggests that the truth is nearly the opposite. Related: Man Booker winner Marlon James: 'Writers of colour pander to the white woman' Related: Why Marlon James had to get out of Jamaica to win the Booker prize | André Wright Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #book publishers #black author #major publishers #white women #white woman #marlon james

Other news stories related to: "Black authors don’t write only for white women | Dreda Say Mitchell"


Women Don't Owe You Pretty author launches instagram campaign

Author Florence Given is launching an instagram campaign, encouraging followers to pose with a copy of her debut feminist memoir, Women Don't Owe You Pretty (Cassell).  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-08-20 11:12:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #women don


11 Black Sci-Fi Authors To Read Right Now

Get to know the work of these Black science fiction authors, from the established and prolific to debut authors shaking up the genre like Cinderella is Dead author Kalynn Bayron. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-08-13 10:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #science fiction


The Delicate Balancing Act of Black Women’s Memoir

As Crown Publishing predicted, readers eagerly anticipated Michelle Obama’s Becoming. Autobiography and memoir are best selling categories because virtually everyone enjoys learning about the private life of public figures. In this case, many were curious about the woman who seemed to rise above... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2020-08-12 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #memoir #electric literature #public figures #private life #black women


A White author grapples with a family history of racial oppression

Edward Ball sketches a portrait of his Klansman ancestor, a Black victim and post-Civil War New Orleans. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-08-07 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #family history


Canada: White Pine Options Kids Can Press’ YA Book on Women Politicians

Taking a look at 19 internationally prominent women in political leadership, the nonfiction YA title 'In Good Hands' is to be made into a television series. The post Canada: White Pine Options Kids Can Press’ YA Book on Women Politicians appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-31 17:13:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #ya book #television series #good hands #post canada


How to promote books by black authors

As a black publicist with more than seven years in culture and entertainment publicity, I have sat in many all-white creative meetings where the genuine answer to making a campaign diverse was to give Stormzy a call (before that it was Tinie Tempah).  If you are serious about diversity and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-24 03:36:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #black authors #promote books


Thomas & Mercer signs two-book deal with Dreda Say Mitchell and Tony Mason

Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, has signed a two-book deal with writing partners Dreda Say Mitchell and Tony Mason. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-20 12:20:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #amazon publishing #thomas mercer


I'm the first black author to win book of the year. I'm proud, but not completely happy

Instead of celebrating myself, I’m going to celebrate the books by black authors that came before meI have a funny thing about winning. I find it overwhelming. I don’t know how to cope or act when things are meant to be “good”. What do I do? Should I be happy? What is that? How many ways can I... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-02 07:00:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #british book #acceptance speech #funny thing #black authors #win book #black author


Author A G Smith launches project for marginalised voices writing on lockdown

Author A G Smith has launched Paperchains, a project that aims to publish a book of writing by prisoners, homeless people and members of the armed forces about the coronavirus lockdown. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-29 23:21:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #armed forces #homeless people #coronavirus lockdown


Evaristo and Carty-Williams become first black authors to win top British Book awards

Candice Carty-Williams and Bernardine Evaristo take book of the year and author of the year categories, as publishers face criticism for treatment of black authorsCandice Carty-Williams and Bernardine Evaristo have become the first black authors to win the top prizes at the British Book awards,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-29 17:45:42 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #british book #book of the year #debut novel #oyinkan braithwaite #serial killer #lisa taddeo #monday night #top prizes #black authors #bernardine evaristo #year accolade #candice carty-williams


Edward Ball Writes the White Blight

The National Book Award–winner tackles familial, and national, legacies of white supremacy in his latest book, 'Life of a Klansman.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-06-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Black & White buys Andrew Cotter's dog story

Black & White Publishing has acquired world rights for Scottish sports commentator Andrew Cotter's story of his adventures with his dogs Olive and Mabel, who have become lockdown hits online. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-18 15:40:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #world rights


Reni Eddo-Lodge becomes first black British author to top UK book charts

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race wins landmark ranking in the wake of worldwide Black Lives Matter protestsReni Eddo-Lodge has become the first black British author to take the overall No 1 spot in the UK’s official book charts.Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking to White... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-16 14:00:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #british author #uk book #nielsen #top slot #white people #longer talking #reni eddo-lodge


Black US authors top New York Times bestseller list as protests continue

Michelle Alexander and Ijeoma Oluo among those on list, marking first time top 10 entries are primarily titles on race issuesGeorge Floyd killing – latest US updatesBlack American authors, including Michelle Alexander and Ijeoma Oluo, have surged to the top of the latest New York Times’... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-11 18:10:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #times bestseller #bestseller list #bestseller lists #george floyd #race issues #ijeoma oluo #michelle alexander #protests continue #black writers #combined print


Publishers want more black authors. Why have they silenced us for so long? | Candice Carty-Williams

As Black Lives Matter protests take place across the world, the publishing world is rushing to support those ‘ignored by the mainstream’. Who is the mainstream, then?The publishing industry is stilted and archaic. I worked in it for seven years, and left due to reasons I can’t legally talk... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-11 09:44:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #publishing world #publishing industry #literary agent #literary agents #follow trends #book proposal #4th estate #sustainable change #candice carty-williams #deliver books #underrepresented voices


Black British authors top UK book charts in wake of BLM protests

Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge take No 1 slots in wake of anti-racist demonstrations, as Waterstones staff ask chain to support causeBernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts, in a week where... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-06-10 13:46:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #uk book #british publishing #bookshop #british author #hardback #michelle obama #white people #longer talking #black authors #hostile environment #reni eddo-lodge #waterstones staff #bernardine evaristo


Dorothy Koomson: 'publishing is a hostile environment for Black authors'

Author Dorothy Koomson has written an open letter to the publishing industry, in which she describes it as a “hostile environment for Black authors”.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-10 06:37:48 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #open letter #black authors #hostile environment #dorothy koomson #publishing industry


Publishers, agents and authors continue to respond to Black Lives Matter protests

Publishers and authors have continued to share reading lists and offers of help following the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-05 10:41:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #authors continue


In Elliot Ackerman’s ‘Red Dress in Black and White,’ a viral photo at a Turkish protest sets a plot in motion

The events at Istanbul’s Gezi Park in 2013 form the linchpin of Ackerman’s shrewd, intricately plotted fourth novel. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-05-29 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #elliot ackerman


What now for authors? On writing, coping and facing the future

Sanjana Varghese had been working as a freelance journalist in London for around a year when the coronavirus pandemic hit.  As countries around the world went into lockdown, many organisations froze their commissioning budgets, while others halted business entirely. Several of the pieces... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-21 20:08:07 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #british government #huge impact #freelance journalist