'It's a real battle': African authors fight for publishing independence

Francophone African books are still very often published by French imprints, which can make them hard to get at home. But there is a growing push for changeWhen Cameroonian author Daniel Alain Nsegbe first saw his debut novel for sale in his home city of Douala, the price was so high “you would have to ask someone to stop eating for two days in order to buy the book”. It was around 16,000 CFA francs (£20); the average monthly salary in Douala is £150. The book, Ceux qui sortent dans la nuit (Those Who Go Out at Night) was published by Grasset, a French imprint.This is not uncommon: Francophone African authors, whether classic or contemporary, are often published by French, not African presses. This arrangement began in colonial times, but continues because of a number of factors that are particular to France. Publishers frequently push for world rights for all books written in French. Many African writers operate without agents, who would usually divide up rights territories on their behalf. Agents are still a new feature on the African literary landscape, meaning that many classics, such as 1953’s L’enfant noir (The African Child) by Guinean author Camara Laye, and Algerian writer Kateb Yacine’s 1956 novel Nedjma, are owned by publishers in France (Plon and Éditions du Seuil respectively). As French publishers continue to control distribution and pricing, classic authors go missing from bookshelves while contemporary authors struggle to get their books in the hands of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-14 09:59:14 UTC ]
News tagged with: #rights territories #local readers #sub-saharan africa #books written #world rights #debut novel

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Author vows book exposing Chinese influence will go ahead after publisher pulls out

Allen & Unwin had cancelled plans to print Clive Hamilton’s Silent Invasion over fear of legal action by the Chinese governmentProminent Charles Sturt University author and ethicist Professor Clive Hamilton says his book exposing the Chinese Communist party’s activities in Australia will... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Eight French-Language Canadian Publishers Bringing Their Authors to the Global Stage

Ahead of the 2017 Montréal Book Fair, we look at 8 French Canadian publishers supporting local authors and bringing their books to the global stage. The post Eight French-Language Canadian Publishers Bringing Their Authors to the Global Stage appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-11-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury Children's to publish US author Renée Watson

Bloomsbury Children’s Books is to publish "critically acclaimed" US author Renée Watson for the first time in the UK after buying world rights in five new titles from Bloomsbury Children’s Books US. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-11-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fifty Independent Latin American Publishers Create a Rights ‘Hot List’ at Frankfurt

A group of independent Latin American publishers curated a 'hot list' at the Frankfurt Book Fair to promote their latest literary titles to right buyers. The post Fifty Independent Latin American Publishers Create a Rights ‘Hot List’ at Frankfurt appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-Published Author Lands Deal with HarperTeen

Intisar Khanani has signed a two-book contract for her originally self-published YA fantasy, 'Thorn,' and a new companion novel. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2017: Catalonia Independence Vote Rattles Publishing

Publishers and agents in Barcelona share their views on the future of the city as the home of global Spanish-language publishing in the wake of Catalonia's vote to become independent of Spain. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Medium expands its reading subscription to any author or publisher

Last March, publishing platform Medium introduced its Partner Program, a Netflix-style subscription model that gave members exclusive pieces of writing, access to features before anyone else, an offline reading list and an ad-free experience. The pro... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2017-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt’s International Independent Author Program: Updates, Guidance

Frankfurter Buchmesse's program on October 13 gives writers a chance to hear from leading international platforms and the Alliance of Independent Authors.  The post Frankfurt’s International Independent Author Program: Updates, Guidance appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Atomic Blonde author Johnston to publish thriller series

New York Times best-selling graphic novelist and games writer Antony Johnston has signed a deal with Eye Books to publish The Exphoria Code. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Alleges Violations by KDP Authors, Publishers

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-09-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author 'devastated' over Russian publisher's LGBT censorship

A Russian publisher's decision to cut a gay scene from American fantasy author VE Schwab’s fantasy trilogy, Shades of Magic, has been met with anger and "heartbreak". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-08-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers, Authors Win KinderGuides Copyright Case

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Strength in Numbers: Publishers Team Up in Fight Against Google and Facebook

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[ Advertising Age | 2017-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2017: Consumers Flock to Javits to Meet Authors—and Publishers

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Australia’s Real Estate Boom Has Wall Street Wooing a Newspaper Publisher

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[ The New York Times | 2017-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook Just Lost a Big Battle to Google for Publishers

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[ Advertising Age | 2017-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Horowitz's UK publisher says it did not warn author off creating black character

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[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New fake news dilemma: sites publish real scoops amid mess of false reports

Louise Mensch is among a number of bloggers offering a mix of true and inaccurate stories, forcing readers to discern for truth for themselvesThe need for vigilance in distinguishing real journalism from “fake news” has become well established since Donald Trump was elected with help from bogus... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Show me the money!': the self-published authors being snapped up by Hollywood

After the success of self-published authors like Andy Weir and EL James, Hollywood is scooping up the rights to books as fast as it can. But why – and is it always good for the author?After watching Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, self-published author Mark Dawson was inspired to create his own... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Amazon Buy Button Program Draws Ire of Publishers, Authors

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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