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 ]
HarperCollins has paid a high six figure sum for world rights in a memoir about saving horses in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 15/11/2011 - 15:39 Angry Robot has books by two debut authors following its "Open Door Month", in which un-agented authors could submit their works directly to the publisher. Editor Lee Harris negotiated both deals, each for world rights... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 04/11/2011 - 10:54 Simon & Schuster has bought rights to an autobiography by Australian swimming star Ian Thorpe. World rights from Jonathan Kilmartin and Sarah Wooldridge at IMG by Larissa Edwards, S&S's Australian head of publishing,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-11-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Mon, 24/10/2011 - 09:15 Virgin Books has acquired actor and 1970s heartthrob David Essex's autobiography. The as-yet-untitled book will be published in March 2012 and will chart Essex's career spanning four decades as a drummer, singer, theatre star,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 12/10/2011 - 13:30 Authonomy, HarperCollins' writing community for unpublished authors, is launching a new imprint with plans to publish 12 titles per year as digital editions. The imprint will be headed by Scott Pack, who runs Authonomy and is... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Katie Allen Publication Date: Thu, 15/09/2011 - 15:15 Virgin Books has acquired a title by craft journalist Perri Lewis, which will enlist the worlds top makers to explore different crafts from dressmaking to decoupage. World rights to Material World: Inspiration and Secrets from... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Katie Allen Publication Date: Wed, 31/08/2011 - 09:00 Hardie Grant has acquired the memoir of Italian chef and restauranteur Antonio Carluccio. World rights to the title, to be published in autumn 2012, were bought by Stephen King, general manager of Hardie Grant UK from... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 30/08/2011 - 14:15 Penguin business imprint Portfolio has acquired a book by Goldman Sachs Asset Management chairman Jim O'Neill. World rights to The Growth Map was acquired jointly by Portfolio UK editorial director Joel Rickett and Adrian... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 30/08/2011 - 15:15 Penguin business imprint Portfolio has acquired a title by Goldman Sachs Asset Management chairman Jim O'Neill. World rights to The Growth Map was acquired jointly by Portfolio UK editorial director Joel Rickett and... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 05/08/2011 - 11:07 HarperCollins has bought the life story of Thelma Madine, the dressmaker from the Channel 4 documentary series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. World rights were bought by Vicky McGeown, commissioning editor for Harper non-fiction,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 01/07/2011 - 11:25 Viking has signed a childhood memoir by BBC sports presenter Clare Balding, paying what is believed to be around £500,000 for two books. Penguin declined to comment on the sum paid, which was a pre-emptive deal for world rights... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Fri, 03/06/2011 - 09:58 Hodder & Stoughton has signed a three-book deal with thriller writer Tom Harper, marking the author's move from Random House's Cornerstone. Associate publisher Oliver Johnson signed the deal for world rights through... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 20/05/2011 - 10:23 HarperCollins has bought a memoir by Louie Spence, the star of the reality shows "Pineapple Dance Studios" and "Showbusiness". World rights to Still Got It, Never Lost It were bought by Natalie Jerome, publishing director for... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Jenny Roper Publication Date: Thu, 28/04/2011 - 06:55 German publisher Gerhard Steidl has been awarded the inaugural outstanding contribution to publishing award at his year's Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards. Steidl received the prize last night (27th April). He still independently... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 16/03/2011 - 14:59 HarperCollins has bought a book by Jermaine Jackson about the life of his pop star brother Michael. World rights to You are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother's Eyes were bought by Natalie Jerome, publishing director for... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Mon, 14/02/2011 - 17:21 HarperCollins Childrens Books publishing director Helen Mackenzie Smith has bought her first books since joining the publisher from Random House earlier this year. She bought four books by picture author and illustrator Rachel... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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