Is an X Factor for novelists a good idea?

A literary talent show is about to be aired in Italy, but is television the right place to nurture literary talent?Jonny Geller, agent and joint CEO, Curtis BrownAn X Factor for books is about to launch on Italian TV – it had to be Italian, didn't it? – and you can imagine the literati running for cover in horror. It's "reducing the craft to a reality freak show", "further degradation of the cultural value of the word" etc. And yes, the programme [Masterpiece, which broadcasts on Italian channel Rai 3 today, billed as "the first talent show for aspiring writers, competing to... publish their novel with Simon & Schuster"] will probably be vulgar, ill-conceived and wrong-footed. But we need it. We need to allow young people into the secret we have held too closely to our hearts for too long – that books can change your life, that what makes us human is books, that reading is not just for nerds. The National Literacy Trust recently surveyed 35,000 children from 188 schools and one in five is embarrassed to be caught with a book in their hands.On British TV at the moment, there is not one single programme about books or for book lovers. We in publishing bemoan how few people buy books and yet we do nothing to make them feel relevant. In a changing publishing scene where most purchases are made online, where independent bookshops are closing every week and where the chains all feature the same books, we desperately need an entertaining format to ignite the imaginations of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-11-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Granta reveals its pick of future star British novelists

The journal’s once-in-a-decade selection of the best fiction writers under 40 has broadened its selection of 20 to include authors who ‘regard the UK as their home’Granta magazine’s Best of British Novelists list, which hails the literary stars of the future, has this year expanded to include... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-13 07:00:37 UTC ]
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March Religion Bestsellers: Shannon Bream, Novelist Wanda E. Brunstetter Lead the Lists

Biblical lessons from Fox broadcaster Shannon Bream topped the nonfiction list; Amish romance novelist Wanda E. Brunstetter's launches a new collection in fiction's #1 spot. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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On Judging Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists

A.L. Kennedy on being chosen for, and judging Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists. The post On Judging <em>Granta</em>’s Best of Young British Novelists appeared first on Granta. Continue reading at Granta

[ Granta | 2023-04-06 11:32:41 UTC ]
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This Aussie author had a book idea while ‘high as a kite’ after brain surgery.

She might not have written an entire book in one day, but Australian author Karina May has a pretty good, pretty sweat-smile story behind the rom-commy Duck à l’Orange for Breakfast, which comes out March 28 from Pan Macmillan Australia. First, you need to understand the plot: The novel centers... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-22 08:59:40 UTC ]
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Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists

‘The issue was the first of its kind. Trust me, it said. I know what I am talking about. These young writers are the future of literature. Watch. History will prove me right.’ A history of the list, with reflections from Bill Buford and other editors. The post <em>Granta</em>’s... Continue reading at Granta

[ Granta | 2023-03-21 19:02:26 UTC ]
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Good… news? The HarperCollins Union has approved a new deal!

After almost hitting the 100-day mark on the picket line, HarperCollins Union members (UAW 2110) have agreed to a tentative deal with management. According to this tweet, yesterday, employees expect to return to work on February 21. Big News!!! We have voted to ratfiy the contract and will be... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-02-17 16:54:37 UTC ]
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The book world needs practical dreamers. Enter publisher-novelist Martin Riker

Micro-publisher Martin Riker has just published a novel of his own, 'The Guest Lecture,' that proves fiction can be experimental and rigorous at once. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-01-26 14:00:20 UTC ]
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Jonathan Raban, travel writer and novelist, dies aged 80

The British author, who lived in the US, blended memoir and travelogue in books that were often inspired by the seaJonathan Raban, the British travel writer, critic and novelist known for his candid accounts of travelling the world in books such as Passage to Juneau and Coasting, has died aged... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-01-18 08:53:25 UTC ]
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A romance novelist came back to life. Angry fans say she faked her death

Scandal and despair hit the romance community when Susan Meachen was purportedly bullied into suicide. Was it a hoax?In 2020 the tightly knit and passionate world of self-published romance literature was shocked by the news that the novelist Susan Meachen, following bullying by other writers,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-01-14 10:00:06 UTC ]
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How a Good Book Became the ‘Richest’ of Holiday Gifts

As Christmas came to be celebrated in the home, choosing the right volume was a way to show intimate understanding of the person opening the package. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-12-02 15:52:40 UTC ]
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Novelist Katy Hays on What Tarot Tells Us About Ourselves

Dwindling daylight set the stage for The Cloisters, Katy Hays’s gothic first novel, which explores dark academia, tarot cards and betrayals among friends and colleagues. It’s a November B&N Book Club and Read with Jenna pick. (“Leo, the gardener at the Cloisters, reminds me of Heathcliff in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-22 09:52:10 UTC ]
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Oh good, TikTok is breaking into bookselling.

We all know books have the power to move us to tears, and that those tears have the power to move books. Last year, with the sudden rise on popularity of certain titles, the publishing industry realized that BookTok might have the ability to shape the market. One reader cries on camera about... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-18 18:44:22 UTC ]
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Ideas for Running a Comic Book Club in Your School Library

If you haven't considered running a comic book club in your school library, here are reasons why you should (& activities to do!). Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-11 11:37:00 UTC ]
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Why media investors are saying publishing company VC funding slowdown is a good thing

The venture capital market is slowing -- and while that might be a good thing for some investors, it'll likely be more difficult for media companies to raise capital. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2022-11-10 05:01:00 UTC ]
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Cover reveal: See the cover for Luis Alberto Urrea’s Good Night, Irene.

Literary Hub is pleased to reveal the cover for Luis Alberto Urrea’s Good Night, Irene, the latest novel from the bestselling novelist and Pulitzer Prize and NBCC finalist, which will be published by Little, Brown, this spring. Here’s how the publisher describes the novel: In 1943, Irene... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-21 13:30:51 UTC ]
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Movie Alert: 'The School for Good and Evil'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Eurovision 2023: 1969 joint-winner Lulu says 'you have to be a good loser'

The former Eurovision winner had backed Glasgow, which lost to Liverpool in its bid to host the 2023 song contest. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2022-10-08 07:32:25 UTC ]
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‘Good Asian,’ ‘Squire,’ Win Harveys; Gaiman Inducted in Harvey Hall of Fame

'The Good Asian' by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandrew Tefenkgi and 'Squire' by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh won Harvey Awards; and Sandman creator Neil Gaiman was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame, during an awards ceremony held at Friday night during New York Comic Con. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A Summary and Analysis of Flannery O’Connor’s ‘A Good Man Is Hard to Find’

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[ Interesting Literature | 2022-09-26 14:00:41 UTC ]
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What Makes a Good Book Club Question?

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[ Book Riot | 2022-09-09 10:37:00 UTC ]
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