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 ]
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‘The Kissing Booth’ author breaks down why her novel and Netflix film series became runaway successes

‘The Kissing Booth’ started as an online novel and blew up into one of Netflix’s most popular films. Here’s why author Beth Reekles thinks that is. Back when she was just 15, Beth Reekles couldn’t find the kind of YA novel that appealed to her.Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-07-24 06:00:21 UTC ]
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Post-pandemic Publishing for Indie Authors

Indie authors are well positioned to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic publishing landscape Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Anxious Authority: PW Talks with Jeremy Leon Hance

In ‘Baggage’ (HCI, Oct.), environmental journalist Hance conveys what it’s like to travel with severe anxiety and OCD. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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She dreamed of a Black-owned bookstore in Inglewood. Now, she's going to run one

As a child, Asha Grant didn't know where to find books about people who looked like her. Next year she'll open that place, the Salt Eaters, in Inglewood. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-07-23 14:00:39 UTC ]
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How to write about a 4-year-old poet’s book deal without getting sad.

This is definitely a clickbait title because I don’t really know the answer. In contemplating Nadim Shamma-Sourgen’s recently announced book deal with Walker Books (who will publish a collection of his “astonishing” poetry next summer) I have spent the last 15 minutes of my life cycling through... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-07-22 15:38:53 UTC ]
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Place writing in a pandemic

Since the turn of the millennium, whether responding to globalisation, the rise of digital technologies, or the climate emergency, many writers have become increasingly preoccupied with place and its meanings. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-22 14:43:10 UTC ]
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Author loses spot in Top 10 after buying 400 copies of his own book

Mark Dawson’s purchase pushed his thriller The Cleaner up the Sunday Times chart, but the sales monitor Nielsen has now revised its figuresAuthor Mark Dawson has lost his Top 10 position in the Sunday Times bestseller charts for his thriller The Cleaner after revealing that he bought 400 copies... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-22 11:24:02 UTC ]
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Erica Sugo Anyadike on Why Writing is Accessible to Everyone

The AKO Caine Prize for African Writing is a literature prize awarded to an African writer of a short story published in English. The prize was launched in 2000 to encourage and highlight the richness and diversity of African writing by bringing it to a wider audience internationally. The focus... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-07-21 08:47:42 UTC ]
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Women's Prize launches crowdfunder for inspiration journal

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is launching a crowdfunding campaign with publisher Unbound, in honour of its 25th anniversary, to create The Women’s Prize for Fiction Journal: Celebrating 25 years of #ReadingWomen. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-21 05:08:34 UTC ]
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An author bought his own book to get higher on bestseller lists. Is that fair?

Author Mark Dawson has attracted criticism after bulk buying his own book gave him a high chart position. But that isn’t breaking any rulesFor any author, being able to describe yourself as a bona fide bestseller is key to conferring your career with a certain gravitas – and will often bring you... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-20 15:59:35 UTC ]
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Dismantling White Supremacy in Public Libraries

American public libraries operate under white supremacy. It's time to dismantle it. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-07-20 10:31:00 UTC ]
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Five Japanese Authors Share Their Favorite Murakami Short Stories

This past weekend in Japan, Haruki Murakami released his new story collection Ichininshō Tansū (The First Person Singular). The collection comprises eight stories, seven of which were first published in the literary magazine Bungakukai between summer 2018 and winter 2020. Many of these... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-07-20 08:49:52 UTC ]
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J.I. Packer, Author of 'Knowing God,' Has Died

English-born Canadian theologian and prolific, influential author J.I. Packer, whose classic evangelical title 'Knowing God' has sold more than 1.2 million copies, died July 17. He was 93. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Constable claims self-publishing success Why Women Are Blamed for Everything

Constable is publishing a book this summer exploring the reasons why women are blamed for male violence. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-20 01:16:35 UTC ]
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TLC launches scholarship helping black British writers in 2020

The Literary Consultancy is partnering with Ellah P Wakatama, editor-at-large at Canongate, to launch the TLC Scholarship. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-19 14:43:29 UTC ]
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Learn to Write Fiction

It’s time to stop talking about writing and write. The best-selling author of “Prep” and “Rodham” offers a plan. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-07-18 14:00:06 UTC ]
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In Europe, Efforts at Pandemic Relief for Publishing; New Funds for Authors

Industry notes: The Federation of European Publishers is backing efforts to see the cultural sector included in EU Special Council meetings, while Bonnier donates to open a ‘Reading Fund’ in Germany. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson FEP’s Manifesto: ‘European Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-17 17:40:53 UTC ]
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Beyond black books, we need human books

Last week I had the honour of being a panelist on a webinar about publishing values in 2020. I listened to the various publishers, both big and small, in the UK and abroad talk about the challenges and opportunities brought by the Black Lives Matter movement and the pandemic. Everyone is talking... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-17 11:16:02 UTC ]
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We don't need 'black' books. We need human books

Last week I had the honour of being a panelist on a webinar about publishing values in 2020. I listened to the various publishers, both big and small, in the UK and abroad talk about the challenges and opportunities brought by the Black Lives Matter movement and the pandemic. Everyone is talking... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-16 14:10:29 UTC ]
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Bonnier Books UK to release 500 Words: Black Lives Matter

Bonnier Books UK is releasing 500 Words: Black Lives Matter, a book featuring short stories children have submitted to a Chris Evans-devised Virgin Radio competition this month. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-16 10:43:26 UTC ]
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