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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Kiwi writer Anthony McCarten on Queen, the Popes, John Lennon and Weed

It's been a whirlwind of a time following the success of The Theory of Everything, but Anthony McCarten certainly hasn't been resting on his laurels. The New Zealand-born writer, based in London, has just finished screenwriting a film based on Winston Churchill's life, polished off Bohemian... Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2017-06-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Memoirs, Religious Writers Tell of Faith Lost and Found

New and forthcoming memoirs in the religion and spirituality category tell stories of overcoming adversity, and of faith found, changed, or regained. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebury strikes worldwide Black Mirror deal with Charlie Brooker

Ebury Publishing imprint Del Rey is set to publish an original series of books inspired by the hit Netflix original show "Black Mirror", edited by its creator Charlie Brooker. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tracy K. Smith Is the New Poet Laureate

Tracy K. Smith has published three volumes of poetry and won the Pulitzer Prize. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2017-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tracy K. Smith Named U.S. Poet Laureate

The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of 'Life on Mars' has been named to the highest public office reserved for an American poet. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meet our new U.S. Poet Laureate, Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith is a highly accomplished poet (she has a Pulitzer Prize), but at 45, she's several decades younger than many recent US poets laureate Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Florence Welch: British singer admits that performing allows her to 'hide in plain sight'

Florence Welch is nervous. "I get very anxious in interviews," she says, her pale cheeks flushed, her dark eyes shining. "I've always felt overwhelmed by my emotions. Even sitting here now I want to cry and I don't know why." We are sitting side-by-side on a yellow striped sofa in the front... Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2017-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: Hay Festival Archive to British Library; Cengage Fights Counterfeit Course Materials

British Library officials say the Hay Archive comprises its largest acquisition of literary recordings. And Cengage announces new anti-piracy efforts. The post Industry Notes: Hay Festival Archive to British Library; Cengage Fights Counterfeit Course Materials appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Podcast series explores Polygon writer's path to publication

A new podcast series exploring a debut crime author’s 14-year journey to publication will be released on 20th June. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Aussie Rules: Black Inc launches in the UK

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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W H Smith names Rebecca the nation's favourite book

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo 2017: ‘Empire’ Writer Returns to Her Texas Roots: Attica Locke

Attica Locke—writer and producer of the Fox hit show "Empire"—is also the author of four acclaimed novels. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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From social media star to bestselling writer, the young ‘Instapoet’

Rupi Kaur’s first book, Milk and Honey, sold 1.4 million copieSOrdinarily, the illustration adorning the cover of a new book is not a big story, but such is the hype around the young Canadian poet Rupi Kaur that her plan to release the picture to her 1.3 million Instagram followers on 1 June is... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Leading writers to take up residencies in London libraries

Leading writers Irenosen Okojie, Courttia Newland, Bidisha, and Alex Wheatle MBE are to take up residencies in London libraries as part of a new literary initiative. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Promposal' gets a big 'Nope' from Santa Monica Mountains park rangers

Park rangers for the Santa Monica Mountains are on the hunt for a “promposal” vandal, who scrawled a prom invitation on a rock near Sandstone Peak — the second year in a row the same message has appeared there. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area officials took to Twitter and Facebook... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Anthony Horowitz's claim he was told not to write black characters sparks row

Other writers have reacted with scepticism to the Alex Rider author’s claim that he was discouraged from ‘artificial and possibly patronising’ writingA furore has broken out in the children’s books world around claims by Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz that he was “warned off” creating a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo's Librarians' Lounge 2017: Meet YA Superstars Holly Black and Ryan Graudin

On Thursday, June 1, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. stop by the PW BookExpo Librarians’ Lounge (Booth 875) to the bestselling authors, courtesy of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mahsuda Snaith | 'I'm British Bangladeshi, and I never came across many books from that perspective'

Life on a council estate is not always as tough and gritty as some novels would have you believe. There can be lightness and humour as well, as Mahsuda Snaith tells Natasha Onwuemezi. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Horowitz's UK publisher says it did not warn author off creating black character

Anthony Horowitz children's publisher at Walker has said it would not instruct authors on whether or not to include characters of a different race or background in their books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Creative Future: bringing new writers from the margins to the mainstream

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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