Ed Needham: ‘Top editors’ jobs have all vanished’

The founder and editor of literary magazine Strong Words on his appetite for tales of financial chicanery and why he won’t be returning to Jane AustenEd Needham is the editor of Strong Words, a magazine about books that he writes and edits on his own from his flat in Camden Town, a feat that has impressed novelists such as Sebastian Faulks and Elizabeth Day. A former editor of several magazines, including Rolling Stone, he is a champion of books, from graphic novels to literary fiction, biographies to investigative works.When and why did you set up Strong Words?It’s been going for about 18 months. I did it because the world pulled the rug out from beneath the magazine industry when advertising migrated to digital. The chances of getting another editor’s job at the level I was used to had vanished. I don’t know how to do anything else. I can’t operate a crane or crack a safe. So I thought, what can I do? Just as the technology has come along that enables people to make high-quality magazines with tiny teams, that same technology has destroyed the market. But there’s quite a lot of activity in independent publishing and niche markets. I realised that as long as I keep costs down, I don’t need to sell many copies for it to be a viable business. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-05 17:00:51 UTC ]

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Midas' Tory Lyne Pirkis made director

Independent publishing and arts PR agency Midas PR has appointed Tory Lyne Pirkis as a director following 10 years at the company. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bologna Rights Roundup: Nine for the Season, Led by a ‘New Neopolitan’

From Finland by way of Kosovo, as well as the UK, Israel, Nigeria, Sweden, Spain, and the United States, the writers of our roundup are producing thrillers, literary fiction, memoir, children's historically reflective work and, of course, children's stories. The post Bologna Rights Roundup: Nine... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Naval Institute Press Navigates to Graphic Novels

The publishing unit of the nonprofit U.S. Naval Institute in Annapolis will add graphic novels and nonfiction later this year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rights Roundup: Eight Titles To Watch in Springtime International Rights Trades

With biography, autobiography, children's literature, new Nordic noir, literary fiction, and a mystery that rides with the Tour de France, we look at several interesting sales stories and rights action the authors of which include a Syrian concert pianist. The post Rights Roundup: Eight Titles... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Illustrator Luke Pearson’s Series ‘Hilda’ Beats a Path to Netflix

In a new series directed by Andy Coyle–with illustrator Luke Pearson as one of its executive producers–the five-book 'Hilda' series of graphic novels from Nobrow's Flying Eye Books is to premiere on Netflix in Septermber. The post UK Illustrator Luke Pearson’s Series ‘Hilda’ Beats a Path to... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DBD’s Kuo-Yu Liang Joins ReedPop

Kuo-Yu Liang, founder of Diamond Book Distributors and a key figure in the growth of graphic novels, is leaving DBD after 15 years to join pop culture convention organizer ReedPop as its global director of business development. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Watts slams 'amateur' poetry of Kaur, McNish and Tempest

Poet Rebecca Watts has criticised the new wave of high-selling female poets such as Rupi Kaur, Hollie McNish and Kate Tempest in a literary magazine, saying "we must stop celebrating amateurism and ignorance in our poetry". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Scottish writer McFall strikes film franchise deal

Scottish writer Claire McFall’s Ferryman trilogy is set to be turned into films and graphic novels by a US production studio. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Female writers dominated 2017's literary bestsellers, figures show

Topped by Margaret Atwood, the UK’s Top 10 bestselling authors of literary fiction last year features only one male writer, Haruki MurakamiFlying in the face of Norman Mailer’s infamous comment that “a good novelist can do without everything but the remnant of his balls”, Haruki Murakami was the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jilly Cooper believes literary fiction should not receive state funding

Author Jilly Cooper has said that literary fiction should not receive state support, arguing instead that the money would be better spent on the declining newspaper industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why should we subsidise writers who have lost the plot? | Tim Lott

I’m not surprised sales of literary fiction are in decline – too many authors fail to engage their readers with any sort of story• Tim Lott is an author and journalistFollowing the announcement from Arts Council England that sales of literary fiction are plummeting, it is suggested that arts... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Literary fiction under threat, ACE report concludes

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’

'Overall the books selling well' in the UK 'are not literary,' Arts Council England's commissioned report from the Canelo team announces. The post Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Crisis in literary fiction a 'wake-up call'

Arts Council England’s report into the crisis in literary fiction should serve as a "wake up call" to the industry which needs to "radically rethink" how it presents the genre, the chief executive of Curtis Brown has warned. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon Looks to Broaden Audience

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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D.C. Metro Spotlight: Jed Lyons, D.C. Institution

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obituary: Indie Publisher Gibbs Smith Dies at 77

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Google makes it easier for businesses to take online bookings

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[ Betanews | 2017-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Philip Pullman on indie booksellers, graphic novels, festival pay and more

As well as writing, Philip Pullman has been outspoken on a number of issues affecting fellow authors over the years. Here, we take a look at some of his best quotes. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Public Space Launches Book Imprint

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