Booker judges shouldn't blame editors for overlong novels

Authors take the credit when their books win prizes, and it should be admitted that they are also responsible for their failingsEvery year, there is a controversy at the Man Booker prize; this year, it is all about the work of editors. Or rather, the supposed lack of work that editors are doing.Kwame Anthony Appiah, chair of the judges, implicitly blamed editors for the poor quality of some of this year’s submissions while announcing the 2018 shortlist: “We occasionally felt that inside the book we read was a better one, sometimes a thinner one, wildly signalling to be let out.” Fellow judge Val McDermid went further by suggesting modern editors don’t know what they’re doing. “I think,” she said, “young editors coming through are not necessarily getting the kind of training and experience-building apprenticeship that happened when I was starting out.” Related: Sarah Waters, John Boyne and the 2018 Man Booker prize shortlist – books podcast Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Booker judges shouldn't blame editors for overlong novels"


Is the fizz up to Edith Wharton’s standards? The joys of launching a book | Rachel Cooke

A party supported by pals who made it through rush hour rain was appropriate for an anthology celebrating female friendshipNervous as I am of organising parties, I could hardly have launched a book about friendship without throwing one. And so it was that last Tuesday night, I found myself in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-09-14 15:00:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists – meet the class of 23

From Kazuo Ishiguro to Zadie Smith, Granta’s list has been spotlighting future stars since 1983. Four decades on, what does its evolution says about our literary landscape?Last month, a reformed Glaswegian gang member, a former personal trainer and a Booker prize winner all glammed up for a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-15 08:00:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Announcing The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award shortlist

The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award is given annually to the best work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry by a British or Irish author of 35 or under. Here at the British Council, we're proud to work with the Prize to support the selected writers early in their... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2023-02-13 14:40:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Review: With 'Yerba Buena,' a top L.A. author of queer YA romance is all grown up

Nina LaCour's first novel for adults, "Yerba Buena," follows a promising and complicated lesbian love story in the mold of Sarah Waters. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-05-26 13:00:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this


We've come a long way with LBGTQ+ literature

In 2012, the literary critic Suzi Feay lamented the lack of new lesbian voices in UK publishing. Describing what she saw as “a shortage of lesbian writers in Britain today”, she wondered who would follow in the footsteps of established authors like Ali Smith, Sarah Waters and Jeanette Winterson.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-22 12:20:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Announcing the Sunday Times PFD Young Writer of the Year Award shortlist

From meditations on the d/Deaf experience to short stories blurring the mythic and the gothic with the everyday, from mixing the personal and political to a young woman uncover the truth about her family’s past – four outstanding writers have today been named on the shortlist for The Sunday... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2019-11-04 12:55:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Boyne criticises 'arrogant' advice after transgender novel backlash

John Boyne has defended his YA novel about a transgender teen and responded to “arrogant” critics who tell authors to only write about their own experiences. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-31 08:08:02 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Hachette launching Essentials modern classics series

Hachette is launching its first ever modern classics list for its international markets, featuring titles from Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell and Sarah Waters among others. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


PRH Children's showcase features Blackman, Boyne and Copeland

John Boyne, Malorie Blackman and literary agent-turned-author Sam Copeland were some of the speakers at the Penguin Random House Children’s Showcase, with themes around transgender issues, experiences of psychosis and how to cope with anxiety as a small child. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Universal credit could silence working-class writers, MPs told

All-party inquiry into authors’ incomes hears new benefit’s rules could mean only the wealthy will write. Meanwhile booksellers welcomed budget business-rate changesMPs have been warned that the rollout of universal credit championed in Monday’s budget will further undermine professional... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


John Boyne writes novel about transgender teen for PRH Children's

Penguin Random House Children's will next year publish a YA book about a transgender teenager and her brother by John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-10-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Ryan and Boyne among Irish Book Week authors

The inaugural Irish Book Week has unveiled its nationwide programme, featuring authors including Donal Ryan and John Boyne. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-10-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Booker judges shouldn't blame editors for overlong novels

Authors take the credit when their books win prizes, and it should be admitted that they are also responsible for their failingsEvery year, there is a controversy at the Man Booker prize; this year, it is all about the work of editors. Or rather, the supposed lack of work that editors are... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Boyne and Purcell pitted against four debuts on Glass Bell shortlist

Four debuts are up for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award pitted against John Boyne and The Silent Companions author Laura Purcell. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Imperial War Museums partner with PRH Children's

Penguin Random House Children’s UK will this autumn republish classic books by Noel Streatfeild, John Boyne and Theresa Breslin as part of a new partnership with Imperial War Museums. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


BAFTA gong for Call Me By Your Name

The Korean film adaptation of Sarah Waters’ bestselling Fingersmith triumphed at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) last night, along with the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro”, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, and James Ivory’s adaptation of 2007 novel Call Me By Your Name... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


John Boyne says 'women are better novelists than men'

Novelist and short story writer John Boyne has claimed "women are better novelists than men".  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Women are better writers than men': novelist John Boyne sets the record straight

Male authors are always pronouncing their own brilliance – or boasting about not reading books by women. So, after a lifetime of writing and attending literary festivals, John Boyne would like to get something off his chest …Do you know what the literary tea towel is? It’s an Irish phenomenon... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Welsh-language novels 'enjoying golden age' despite reported sales decline

Despite news this week that sales had fallen dramatically, the Welsh Books Council’s chief says that the sector is showing real growthThe head of the Welsh Books Council (WBC) has hailed a “golden age for the Welsh-language novel” despite reports of a dramatic decline in sales.BBC Cymru Fyw... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-11-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Boyne's Invisible Furies optioned for TV

John Boyne's The Heart’s Invisible Furies (Transworld) has been optioned for TV by Scott Free Productions. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-10-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this