How self-published novel Jalan Jalan took flight with an Asian publisher

Mike Stoner couldn’t find a publisher for his story of an expat’s dark days in Indonesia – until he looked eastAs soon as I read Mike Stoner’s self-published novel, Jalan Jalan, I had a feeling that it ought to be able to find a commercial publisher. The book was the last winner of the Guardian’s self-published book of the month, which picked seven books from open submissions between June and December 2014 and reviewed them on the site. I followed the series from the start, but Jalan Jalan was the first entry to really catch my attention. The tale follows a heartbroken young Brit through Indonesia, where he finds himself embroiled in a murky world at the bottom of the expat barrel after accepting a teaching job at a dodgy language school after a five-minute telephone interview.Josh Lacey called it an “involving tale of self-transformation, and a welcome blast of heat and spice”. It’s all that and more; a curious blend of Alex Garland and Nick Hornby with a ghost thrown in for good measure. It has some memorable drug- and alcohol-fuelled set pieces, lots of very funny dialogue, and lashings of tropical atmosphere. But it also has a more complex, moving and rather magical core. The protagonist – whose name is not revealed until the final chapter – is haunted by memories of his dead girlfriend, and as the book progresses it becomes clear that there is more going on here than mere misadventure in a foreign land. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #good measure #final chapter

Other Publishing stories related to: 'How self-published novel Jalan Jalan took flight with an Asian publisher'


What New Skills Do Publishers Need to Navigate in Publishing?

The modern book industry is a multiverse that requires increasingly complex and specialized skill sets, said several publishers at the London Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Daily Press Publisher Elected President of Southern Newspaper Publishers Association

The publisher of the Daily Press has been elected as president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. Digby A. Solomon - president, publisher and CEO of the Daily Press Media Group since 2007 - was chosen to lead the industry association, ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


New App Publishing Platform for Niche Publishers

While big-name magazines have held a presence on Apple’s Newsstand since its inception, small to medium-sized publishers have had a harder time breaking through. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-06-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #niche publishers #medium-sized publishers


Ball Publishing Co. Acquired by Brothers’ Publishing Co. LLC

Ball Publishing Company founded in 1968 by John and Carol Ball in Southwestern Ohio has been acquired by Brothers’ Publishing Company LLC, a media company owned by Fred and Keith Foutz, two long time newspaper executives. Their first acqu ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Yale Publishing Course Aims to Expand Publishing’s International Scope, and Enhance Digital Monetization

Yale’s summer publishing course is entering its third year. The course offers publishing professionals an opportunity to learn industry strategies for expanding a brand’s scope and monetizing digital products. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #yale publishing


Publishing In Russia 2012: Publishers in a Changing Industry

Despite the economic gloom, the number of titles produced annually in Russia continues to grow. The country is now #3 in terms of book production (approximately 125,000 new titles per year), after the U.S. and China. It also saw more than 20 million ebook downloads and some one million reading... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #changing industry


Survey Finds 60% of Publishers Agree that Print Publishing’s Time is Limited

Almost two-thirds of industry leaders from the publishing industry foresee that newspapers and other print publishers will end up as digital-only enterprises by 2020, according to a survey conducted by MPP Global Solutions. Conducted during two web ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #survey conducted #publishers agree #print publishing #industry leaders #print publishers


Digital Self-Publishing: Should Publishers Be Worried?

Self-publishing an essay through Amazon is a reminder of the benefits of a traditional publishing house. Continue reading at The Atlantic

[ The Atlantic | 2012-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital self-publishing


Niche Publishing: Publishers Seek To Capitalize On e-Books

As traditional revenue channels for newspapers collapse, publishers are seeking new and innovative ways to make a profit without expending a lot of resources. Finding the appropriate niche is the key to survival, and newspapers that recognize this ar ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #niche publishing #publishers seek #innovative ways


DBW: publishers 'should learn from self-publishers on pricing'

Publishers need to look to how self-published authors price their ebooks, improve the quality of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Apple launches self-publishing app, partners with textbook publishers

Apple has announced a new multimedia app called iBooks Author, allowing writers to create their... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #textbook publishers #allowing writers


Contactology and Metro Publisher Partner to Offer SaaS for Publishers

In order to automate the workflow and offer solutions for publishers who “have to do more with less”, email service provider Contactology and content management system creator Metro Publisher have partnered to offer publishers a simpler solution for e-newsletter management. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #offer publishers


Publishing Scotland launches development scheme for publishers

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Thu, 09/06/2011 - 15:17 Publishing Scotland has launched its Company Development Project, calling for applications from small- and medium-sized publishing companies. The initiative, hosted by Publishing Scotland and partly funded by Creative... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing scotland #creative scotland


Publishing Scotland chief exec urges publishers to look abroad

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 22/02/2011 - 09:00 Publishing Scotland chief executive Marion Sinclair has urged Scottish publishers to look abroad for opportunities, likening the current situation in digital publishing to "the Wild West". Speaking yesterday [21st... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #current situation #digital publishing #wild west #foreign markets


Simon & Schuster Acquires Dutch Publisher Veen Bosch & Keuning

S&S has acquired VBK, the largest Dutch book publishing house, and its subsidiaries and sister companies. The move marks the first major instance of a promised international expansion at S&S since its acquisition by private equity firm KKR last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-05-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishing #schuster


Ryo Yamaguchi Named Publisher at Copper Canyon Press

Following the retirements of longtime copublishers George Knotek and Joseph Bednarik on May 1, the Port Townsend, Wash.–based poetry press—which turned 50 last year—has tapped its publicist to lead its operations moving forward. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-05-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with:


Met police to pay ‘five-figure sum’ to French publisher arrested under anti-terror laws

Exclusive: Ernest Moret was held en route to a book fair amid fears police are using counter-terrorism powers to target activistsA French publisher who was arrested in London by counter-terror officers has been awarded “substantial” damages by the Metropolitan police, as new figures reveal... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-04-29 06:00:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ernest moret #london book #book fair #french publisher


Verso and other publishers are offering free ebooks in solidarity with pro-Palestine campus protests.

As students organize and resist to demand action and justice for Palestinians, publishers are offering free books on Palestine, protest, and more, in solidarity. Verso has seven ebooks available for download, including a case for sanctions against Israel, a collection on 2011’s Occupy movement,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-04-26 15:56:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #verso #free books #ebooks


How Book Publishers Can Combat Misinformation

In 'Attack from Within,' Barbara McQuade explores disinformation and the need to report, and defend, the truth. Her publisher, Seven Stories, is taking note—even as fact-checking remains scarce in book publishing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-04-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishers #book publishing