Black British writers: we're more than just Zadie Smith and Monica Ali | Irenosen Okojie

Our publishing industry seems to champion just one or two black and Asian authors at a time. Lack of diversity is a real problemMonths back I was trudging through the streets of Dalston when I spotted a copy of Simi Bedford's Yoruba Girl Dancing in a charity shop window. It evoked the same emotion that stumbling into an old school friend might – part nostalgia and part wonder at the old magic. I found myself inside the store reaching for it, just as I had done years ago as a teenager. The book is a hilarious, touching read about a Nigerian girl sent to boarding school in England. Back then, it resonated with me deeply. I too had been a young Nigerian girl sent to England at the age of eight to attend boarding school in Norfolk. Its recounting of otherness in an unfamiliar land made me laugh and recall my own experiences. There was something about that dancing silhouette on the cover that seemed hopeful, unburdened somehow, and, though I'd been enamoured of the talents of Roald Dahl and Harper Lee, it was refreshing to see an author who looked like me.As I left the shop, it made me wonder: whatever happened to Simi Bedford? I know she wrote another novel, Not With Silver, but whatever happened not just to her, but to the career trajectories of other black and Asian female British authors?I admire the tenacity of writers such as Andrea Levy, who deserved to garner more attention earlier in their careers. Andrea eventually went on to have great success, but there was little... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Finding My Climate-Conscious Tribe: Black Nature Lovers and Writers

Scrolling book-reveals for Lit Hub’s Climate Change Library I sighed, “Here we go again.” On the first day, “Part One: The Classics” listed 48 books written by mostly white authors. The four exceptions, Robert D. Bullard, a Black American and Winona LaDuke, an Indigenous North American, along... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-07-26 08:50:12 UTC ]
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Monica Ali: Reckoning with the Insidious Myth of Positive Discrimination

I was on my way to a meeting when I bumped into an old acquaintance. After a few minutes chat, not wanting to be late, I said I had to go. “Let’s catch up soon,” she said. I said I’d like that. “Hey, listen,” she said, “have you heard—apparently Random House has a new policy […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-07-24 08:50:53 UTC ]
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Contributors to anthology of black British writing reflect on their influences

A new collection of writing by black British men features a number of distinctive voices, from all walks of life, overlooked by the book trade—until now.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zadie Smith, Rachel Kushner among nominees for 2019 National Book Critics Circle Awards

The National Book Critics Circle announced the finalists for its annual literary awards on Tuesday, with Zadie Smith, Rachel Kushner, Robert Christgau and the late Denis Johnson among the nominees. Los Angeles author Kushner's "The Mars Room" and Johnson's "The Largesse of the Sea Maiden" both... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zadie Smith to publish first short story collection in 2019

Zadie Smith is releasing her very first story collection with Hamish Hamilton next autumn: Grand Union. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-12-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British and Irish Writers Condemn No-Deal Brexit

The Society of Authors (SoA) and The Irish Writers' Union have released a joint statement warning of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on publishing and literature in the two countries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gaiman, Smith and Ishiguro to feature in British short story anthology

Penguin is publishing a new anthology, The Penguin Book of the Contemporary British Short Story, "a literary treasure trove" of "30 great short stories published in the last 20 years", featuring contributors such as Zadie Smith, Irvine Welsh and Neil Gaiman. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dialogue Books signs 'fearless' Irenosen Okojie

Dialogue Books has signed Irenosen Okojie, a "fearless" writer publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove said had partly inspired the new inclusive imprint. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dame Carol Black appointed British Library chair

Culture secretary Matt Hancock has appointed Dame Carol Black as chair of the British Library for a four year term. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Eccles British Library Writer's Award: investing in authors

Catherine Eccles reflects on the history of the Eccles British Library Writer's Award and how it supports authors' careers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British Council partners with Young Writer of the Year Award

The British Council has been announced as the international partner of the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, in association with the University of Warwick. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-10-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British writers can’t win the big US prizes, so why can Americans win the Booker? | Tibor Fischer

Opening the prize to global competition has been good for its profile, good for US writers - and a problem for novelists here and from the CommonwealthTonight the five judges of the Man Booker prize will announce this year’s winner. It was also the votes of five judges that chose the winners at... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-10-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zadie Smith to write first historical novel

Zadie Smith is publishing two new books with Penguin imprint Hamish Hamilton, including her first historical novel. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ali Smith longlisted for Gordon Burn Prize 2017

Ali Smith has been longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize 2017 for the first in her Seasonal four-part series, Autumn (Hamish Hamilton).  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At the Huntington, see the inspirational note black sci-fi writer Octavia Butler wrote to herself

Before her first novel sold in 1975, before she won her MacArthur grant, sci-fi writer Octavia Butler fought years of rejection by writing inspirational notes to herself. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This Year, Santa Claus Is Black and Gay–Thanks To This “Colbert” Writer

Christmas is coming early for progressives this year, and it’s coming with a sense of humor. Santa’s Husband, out in bookstores this fall, offers an unusual take on the holiday’s central representative. In this fresh reinvention, Late Show with Stephen Colbert writer Daniel Kibblesmith renders... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2017-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zadie Smith adaptation gets BAFTA nods

The adaptation of Zadie Smith's NW (Hamish Hamilton) has been nominated for two BAFTAs.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zadie Smith, Ann Patchett Among 2016 NBCC Finalists

Thirty finalists, including the author of 'Swing Time,' Zadie Smith, 'LaRose' author Louise Erdrich, and 'Commonwealth' author Ann Patchett, are up for NBCC Awards. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British music writer Mark Fisher dies aged 48

British music writer and political theorist Mark Fisher, also known as K-Punk, has died, aged 48. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kohler and Stanley win 2017 Eccles British Library Writer’s Award

Novelist Hannah Kohler and the writer and film producer Bob Stanley, also a member of the Mercury-nominated pop group Saint Etienne, have been named the joint winners of the 2017 Eccles British Library Writer’s Award. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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