Man Booker prize judge Colin Thubron has complained this week that star endorsements bully readers into admiring books, but it’s long been standard practiceSetting cats among pigeons has long been an unofficial part of the contract for judges of the Booker prize. Remember Chris Mullin’s insistence on “zip–along” novels, or, way back in 1992, AN Wilson’s condemnation of the prize itself as “essentially trivial”? This year’s flurry of fur and feathers was provoked by a tirade from Colin Thubron on celebrity endorsements. Some blurbs, said the veteran travel writer, “almost blackmail” readers into feeling that “you’re either intellectually or morally incompetent if you don’t love this book or you’ve failed if you haven’t understood it”. Some people, he felt, “seem to earn their living … saying: ‘This is the most profound book of our generation.’”Starting our Iris Murdoch bookclub with this '69 @PenguinUKBooks edition - you don't find blurbs like this any more! pic.twitter.com/P2XUvgtKAM Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2017-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As librarians and publishers prepare for the 2016 ALA Annual Conference, an informal PW survey offers an interesting snapshot of public library purchasing trends. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NBA finalist Gail Godwin sells her latest, vegan chef and restaurateur Chloe Coscarelli moves houses for her new cookbook, Amelia’s Notebook creator Marissa Moss sells her adult debut, and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The eight books announced yesterday (8th June) as part of Zoella’s bookclub have rocketed on Amazon UK, with sales of one – The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward (Simon & Schuster Children’s) – increasing more than 11,000%. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virgin Books is publishing three "sweary" colouring books "of colourful language" from self-published author James Alexander. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The sad news of Muhammad Ali's death, which broke late last week, has resulted in publishers rushing to get their new Ali titles into stores, and a run on available backlist titles about the iconic boxer and activist. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's our first week chatting about Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice, and we're a little confused---which is great. The post WIRED Book Club: Getting Up to Speed With the Challenging Ancillary Justice appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2016-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SILICON VALLEY — Ellen Pao, who rocked Silicon Valley with a gender discrimination lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers last year, signed a book deal that will detail her experiences with the tech industry’s “toxic culture.” Pao’s memoir, titled “Reset,” was acquired by the... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal
[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2016-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Comics have been dealing with daddy-issues nearly since their inception, but over the years books have presented a more nuanced, realistic depiction of fatherhood. Here are 11 great ones for Father's Day. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Internationally renowned pianist James Rhodes has struck a two-book deal with Quercus, starting with a book that will show how "anyone with two hands", and willing to practice 45 minutes a day, can learn to play Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major in six weeks. He has previously been published by... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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There are six creative Wellingtonians among the finalists of the 2016 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, announced on Wednesday. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2016-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The National Book Foundation has appointed Cheryl Cohen Effron and Jennifer Rudolph Walsh to its board of directors, which has grown to include 22 members. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This week's My Job in 5 is with My Job in 5; Sophie Schrey, senior editor, Buster Books, the children's imprint of Michael O'Mara. Here's what she had to say about her role. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Singapore has welcomed its first book vending machines, carrying up to 150 copies of 22 different titles from Singapore publishers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dawn Davis nabs a Dutch novel for her S&S imprint 37 Ink, and the third book in Swedish author Sofie Sarenbrant's Emma Sköld detective series breaks through to another country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the wake of the boxer's death on June 3, publishers with upcoming titles about "the Greatest" are scrambling to get copies onto shelves as quickly as possible. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The latest retail venture from the long-time bookseller (and publisher/film producer), Books+Books+Bikes+LEBO, combines books, outdoor gear, and graffiti art. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Israel has repealed its Law for the Protection of Literature and Writers, which required fixed book prices for 18 months and minimum author royalty rates. The post Amid Controversy, Israel Repeals Its Fixed Price ‘Book Law’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tom Jones tells the Hay Festival that his wife, who died last month, was the "most important thing" in his life. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2016-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As pre-fair meetings with agencies and publishers' rights teams move to the grounds of Frankfurt Book Fair on October 18, a free table in the new Publishers Rights Corner is on offer. The post IPR License Raffle: A Free Publishers Rights Corner Table at Frankfurt Book Fair appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sylvia Day’s One With You (Michael Joseph) has easily romped to the top of The Bookseller’s April E-Book Ranking, outselling the second-placed title by a factor of over four to one. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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