Graham Norton: ‘In a world going to hell in a handcart, Ireland is a wonderful beacon’

The chatshow host’s new novel centres on Irish lives dominated by shame and repression. Yet, after ‘decades of darkness’, the country’s legalisation of abortion and gay marriage have made him hopefulGraham Norton’s second novel, A Keeper, had not gone to press before this interview, so his publisher ran off an A5 photocopy for me. After reading the first few pages, I thought they must have sent me the wrong book. Literary fiction this strong could not be the work of a TV star whose canon of previous works comprised one novel. Whoever wrote this clearly had to be an established author.When I tell Norton this, he does a little squirm beside me on the sofa. “Oh my God, that’s incredibly nice of you. I’m not very good at taking compliments, so let’s gloss over this bit, but I’ll just say thank you very much. Seriously, that’s really, really nice.”We’ve got to thank the church for what Ireland is now, because it is a reaction to all those decades of darknessPeople get stuck in their heads about the thing that’s wrong with their life – they forget to have a lovely time Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #gay marriage #publisher ran #literary fiction #tv star

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IPA and WIPO join forces on annual world publishing statistics

The International Publishers Association (IPA) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are launching a new annual report of world publishing statistics. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Joe Biden and his wife strike world deal with Macmillan US

Former US vice president Joe Biden and his wife Jill have struck a publishing deal with Macmillan US.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It’s a barbe world for Odedina and début Dane

Sarah Odedina at Pushkin Children’s Books, has acquired world rights to a début novel of “hope, belief and familial bonds” direct from its Danish author. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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David Walliams to release The World's Worst Children sequel

David Walliams new children's book has been revealed as The World’s Worst Children 2. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Everything we learned from the Wonder Woman WonderCon panel

“Wonder Woman” took center stage at Anaheim’s WonderCon on Saturday. The comic book convention packed the arena for the Warner Bros. panel with a crowd thirsty for new footage of Diana Prince in action. The studio was happy to oblige, with just a taste of what’s to come with the movie’s June... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's a Brave New World for Teachers and Librarians

Teachers and librarians talk about how they are helping students navigate current events. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Swell of support for New Beacon Books helps raise £10k

Afro-Caribbean bookshop New Beacon Books has decided to remain open due to the “fantastic response” from the public following the announcement of its impending closure. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Poetry Day: social media drives 16% sales increase

Poetry sales have continued to grow in 2017 ahead of World Poetry Day today (21st March), with writers driving interest on social media one possible reason for the genre's current boom. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IPA’s Kolman: role for publishers in ‘post-truth’ world

Publishers should stand as “beacons of trustworthiness” in an age of fake news and alternative facts, International Publishers Association president Michiel Kolman has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Forget 'fake news': Adam Curtis' film says we live in a 'fake world' designed by bankers and politicians

A sinister world rises from the soothing, if mischievous, voice of Adam Curtis: politicians and financiers have created alternate realities that prey on our fears while Facebook and other cyberspace distractions toy with our vanities with promises of escape and virtual redemption. At a time when... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Coronet acquires two books from Graham Hancock

Hodder & Stoughton imprint Coronet is publishing two further books from Graham Hancock, both focusing on the Americas: America Before and the fourth in the War God series. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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7 Weird, Wonderful Words You Should Use More Often

Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper picks seven favorites, including "sesquipedalian," "jawn," and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day: An interview with Raymond Briggs

Raymond Briggs talks to Newsnight about The Snowman, what David Bowie got wrong and being childless. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day 2017 in pictures

Children got the opportunity to meet their favourite authors this week, as World Book Day celebrated it's 20th anniversary on Thursday 2nd March.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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East Yorkshire school wins World Book Day Award

The winner of the World Book Day Award has been revealed as an East Yorkshire school after it faced three years of “struggling” to expand its books offering from "one meagre bookshelf" into a library. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day: In pictures

As children bring literary characters to life across the country for World Book Day, we've collected some of the best pictures - from Miss Trunchbull to Little Red Riding Hood (via Trainspotting's Begbie and the A470). Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day just got serious

Children from a primary school in Norfolk debate the merits of their chosen World Book Day characters. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day: quarter of children would not own a book without it

Research revealed on World Book Day (WBD) suggests that a quarter of eight to 11-year-olds would not own a book without the initiative. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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W.W. Norton Releases Centennial Edition of Will Eisner’s 'A Contract with God'

Norton marks Will Eisner’s 100th birthday with a new hardcover edition of the book considered to be one the first graphic novels published in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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World Book Day campaigns from Blackwell's and others

More initiatives to mark World Book Day (WBD) have been announced ahead of the 20th anniversary event on 2nd March. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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