Complete fiction: why 'the short story renaissance' is a myth

With soaring sales, viral hits like Cat Person and a cameo by Tom Hanks, the form seems to be staging a comeback. But did it ever go away?In 2017, almost 50% more short story collections were sold than in the previous year. It was the best year for short stories since 2010. Booksellers are reporting a surge in popularity for the form, commentators note publishers are buying more collections and issuing them with greater care and enthusiasm; in December the newcomer Kristen Roupenian cut five- and seven-figure deals in the UK and US after her New Yorker story “Cat Person” went viral. On top of all that, collections are being reviewed more than ever before, the Sunday Times EFG short story award (worth £30,000) has received its highest ever number of entries and the BBC national short story award continues to grow in popularity. We are experiencing the renaissance of the short story form, right?Wrong; which isn’t to say 2017 wasn’t a good year for the short story – it was, but the “renaissance of the short story” story is an old one that is rolled out year after year. Does that matter? I think it does. By getting caught up in this recurring phantom narrative, and dwelling on press release froth rather than the work being produced, we spurn the opportunity to talk about short stories in a way that might actually deepen how they are understood and engaged with by readers.How can the short story ever have time to wither, given the frequency of its rebirth?In the cases of Tom... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hutchinson to publish story of Virgin Galactic

Nicholas Schmidle, a staff writer at the New Yorker, is to draw on four years of reporting on Richard Branson’s space tourism company Virgin Galactic for a new book about the venture, to be published by Hutchinson. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Editors flock to prison tales and true crime while literary fiction flies pre-LBF

True crime, “professional confessional” memoirs and titles that look into “sealed worlds” are the hottest non-fiction trends, according to agents who spoke to The Bookseller ahead of next week’s London Book Fair.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Joffe Books acquires 350-strong Robert Hale crime and fiction list

Indie publisher Joffe Books has acquired the 350-strong Robert Hale crime and general fiction list from the Crowood Press. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Story of the Impossible Island

To read a Helen Oyeyemi novel is to willingly enter a tangled wood, where the paths wander and circle, and the way out isn’t always clear, but the scenery is full of an alarming and brilliant beauty. A one-time prodigy (the British daughter of Nigerian immigrants, she published her first novel,... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2019-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK sales of translated fiction grows by 5%

UK sales of translated fiction grew by 5.5% last year, largely thanks to sales by top authors like Jo Nesbo, research commissioned by the Man Booker International Prize shows. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Short Books acquires Taylor's guide to 'reversing Type 2 Diabetes'

Indie publisher Short Books will publish Life Without Diabetes by Newcastle Diet creator Professor Roy Taylor.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kids Can Press’ ‘Most Magnificent Thing’ Animated Short Is Out From Nelvana

With what one of the show's artists calls "a perpetual golden hour" palette, Arna Selznick and her Nelvana team bring Ashley Spires' children's book to animated life. The post Kids Can Press’ ‘Most Magnificent Thing’ Animated Short Is Out From Nelvana appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-03-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Burns and Rooney make Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist

The 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist has been revealed, featuring Man Booker winner Anna Burns, Costa Novel Award winner Sally Rooney and seven debut novelists.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Octopus signs inside story of Netflix by co-founder Randolph

Octopus has signed a book by Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph, telling the inside story of how the business was built and changed the way people watch film and TV. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Children’s buys young fiction series by Lindsey Kelk

HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired three books in a young fiction series by Lindsey Kelk, an author of adult novels and former children’s book editor. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Octopus launches new narrative non-fiction imprint Endeavour

Hachette's Octopus Publishing Group is launching a new narrative non-fiction imprint aiming to become "a home for new ideas, inspiring stories and fresh takes on the world". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New ‘German Stories’ Stand Debuts at Taipei International Book Exhibition

Flexible and functional, bright and inviting, the new 'German Stories' collective stand made its debut  at the 2019 Taipei International Book Exhibition, with packed author events and a range of specialized areas. The post New ‘German Stories’ Stand Debuts at Taipei International Book Exhibition... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Picador lands new SF story collection from Chiang

Picador has landed a second book of short stories by acclaimed science fiction writer Ted Chiang, Exhalation. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Aberdeen is the perfect setting for crime fiction

Crime author Stuart McBride discusses Aberdeen's growing "artistic and cultural expertise", ahead of new literary festival Granite Noir. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The meritocracy myth and regional obstacles hinder true inclusion

Nathan Connolly gives a publisher's perspective following the results of our class survey. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hodder scoops Miller's 'high-concept love story' in pre-empt two-book deal

Hodder & Stoughton has scooped a “moving and unforgettable high-concept love story” by Holly Miller in a pre-emptive two-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Verso Books launches 'bold' fiction imprint

Radical publisher Verso Books is launching its own fiction imprint this September, promising a string of "politically astute" novels. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber reissues Bernhard fiction after 20 years out of print

Faber is reissuing the celebrated fiction of Austrian writer Thomas Bernhard after nearly 20 years out of print to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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January Religion Bestsellers: Rachel Hollis Stays #1; ‘With This Pledge’ Tops Fiction

Hollis’s tough-talking self-help book ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’ remains #1 in Religion Nonfiction; Tamera Alexander’s ‘With This Pledge’ is tops in Religion Fiction. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s Guest of Honor Program Opens in Taipei: ‘German Stories,’ Warm Relations

The 'German Stories' theme goes live at at Germany's Guest of Honor program during the 2019 Taipei International Book Exhibition. The post Germany’s Guest of Honor Program Opens in Taipei: ‘German Stories,’ Warm Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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