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 ]
An excerpt from a debut novel that Booklist calls "enthralling" and Kirkus hailed as "an ambitious literary debut." The post ‘Cairo Circles’: Featured Fiction from Doma Mahmoud appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions
[ The Millions | 2021-10-25 10:00:55 UTC ]
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Novelist Julia Elliott and poet and writer DaMaris B. Hill join hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to consider the writing and face of rural America—particularly as it might look 30 years from now. First, Elliott talks about growing up as an outsider in her own South Carolina... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-10-21 08:50:35 UTC ]
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Raven Books has landed Lady Macbethad, a historical novel exploring the "real Lady Macbeth" set in medieval Scotland, and a second title by debut author Isabelle Schuler. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-19 15:28:38 UTC ]
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Hamish Hamilton has scooped the debut novel by academic and critic Emilie Pine, author of international bestseller Notes to Self (Tramp Press and Hamish Hamilton). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-05 16:47:02 UTC ]
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Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body reimagines nineties adolescence—mashing up girl group series, choose-your-own-adventures, and chronicles of anorexia—in a queer and trans coming-of-age tale like no other. An interrogation of girlhood and nostalgia, dysmorphia and dysphoria, this... Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-09-15 10:31:00 UTC ]
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“Happy Hour,” a debut novel by Marlowe Granados, follows a pair of thrifty, stylish and nimble young women navigating the big city. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2021-09-07 09:00:04 UTC ]
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Emily Itami’s debut novel asks an age-old question: Does marriage and kids mean monotony and obligation or is there room for one’s authentic self? Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2021-09-07 09:00:04 UTC ]
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Sandstone Press has acquired world rights to Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge directly from photographer and author Kevin Morgans. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-02 08:48:15 UTC ]
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Transworld has scooped a "joyful and emotional" debut novel by author and blogger Sarah Turner, also known as The Unmumsy Mum, in a six-figure, two-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-26 01:27:52 UTC ]
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For Women in Translation month, we’ve curated a reading list of novels and short story collections written and translated by women. Exploring everything from gender biases and millennial burnout in the Japanese workplace to a toxic relationship in Iceland, these stories expand our perspectives... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2021-08-25 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Maurice Carlos Ruffin's lauded debut novel disguised his hometown; his new short story collection, "Those Who Don't Say They Love You," faces the city head on. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-08-19 13:00:47 UTC ]
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Trapeze has pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights for Blood Sugar, the debut novel from Emmy-nominated screenwriter Sascha Rothchild. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-19 02:30:09 UTC ]
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Welbeck Flame has acquired three picture books written by actress and comedian Isla Fisher and illustrated by Paula Bowles. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-18 08:23:08 UTC ]
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Little, Brown science fiction and fantasy imprint Orbit has snapped up fantasy author Emily Tesh's "phenomenal" debut novel, Some Desperate Glory. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-17 15:24:34 UTC ]
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Independent press And Other Stories has acquired My Father’s Diet, the "sharp-fanged" debut novel from US author and translator Adrian Nathan West. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-14 21:32:44 UTC ]
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Allison & Busby has acquired the "rich and haunting" debut novel The Porcelain Doll by Kristen Loesch. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 11:30:12 UTC ]
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Pan Macmillan has signed In a New York Minute from podcaster, comedian and debut novelist Kate Spencer in a two-book deal Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-11 02:47:56 UTC ]
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Virginia Feito’s debut novel features a woman persuaded that her husband, a celebrated writer, has skewered her in his latest book. Is she right? Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2021-08-10 09:00:06 UTC ]
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Interviews Emilio Fraia’s Sevastopol, out this summer from New Directions, is the sort of book that beguiles and dazzles in equal measure. Consisting of three disparate stories—of a mountain climber attempting to scale Mt. Everest, a mysterious loner... Continue reading at World Literature Today
[ World Literature Today | 2021-08-09 20:31:30 UTC ]
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Ash Davidson’s debut novel delves into the complex relationship among people who love the trees that are also their livelihood. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2021-08-02 16:47:33 UTC ]
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