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 ]
Canongate has signed a book on the wildlife and landscape of the Scottish Highlands, by nature writer and conservationist Sir John Lister-Kaye. Senior editor Jenny Lord signed Gods of the Morning in a deal for world rights with Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber Children’s has acquired the world rights to a 2016 diary from Louise Pentland, best known for her fashion and lifestyle channel ‘Sprinkle of Glitter’ on YouTube. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Movellas is actively looking to find more books written by community members that it can take to the market, c.e.o. Joe Cohen told the FutureBook Conference today (14th November). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins has signed a six-figure deal for two novels by TV presenter Dawn O'Porter. Commercial women's fiction director Kimberley Young signed a deal for world rights in all languages with Adrian Sington at Sington & Co Ltd. The books will be O'Porter's first adult novels. She has... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has acquired the world rights for two picture books from debut author Lou Carter.... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin's Celebra imprint has taken world rights to the first book by multi-hyphenate star, Jennifer Lopez. "True Love," will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish on October 28. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster has signed the world rights to a new autobiography by Sex Pistols singer... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has acquired the world rights to the final three titles in Sarah J Maas’ Throne... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frequently, literary agents argue that selling the territorial rights for a book has advantages over selling world rights. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Newspaper publishers everywhere are trying to do more with less, and the battle for local readers is a big part of their struggle, since it is one area where larger players aren’t as competitive and so theoretically there is a lot of opport ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins UK and US have joined forces to sign a global pre-emptive bid for world rights in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Headline has acquired the world rights in Poirot and Me by actor David Suchet, writing with... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publisher Choc Lit has bought the world rights to two debut romance novels.... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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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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