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 ]
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The Authors Guild of America has launched a Fair Contract Initiative to “address the major inequities in many boilerplate contract terms today” and educate authors on what terms they can negotiate on. The initiative, announced on Friday (28th May) at BEA, aims to “restore balance to the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As long as technology companies such as Facebook and Twitter exist, publishers will have to navigate relationships with them. This theme pervaded a panel Monday at the 67th World News Media Congress in which industry thought leaders discussed ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Walker Books has acquired a children’s non-fiction series that helps children explore science, maths, politics and geography through football. The books are written by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton and the first, The Football Academy, will be published in hardback in September 2016. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers erect paywalls with an eye to growing their consumer revenue. But the consumer data they collect in the registration process holds value to advertisers. So why do they struggle to charge more for it? The most-cited reason is a lack of audience size. With the likes of Google and... Continue reading at Digiday
[ Digiday | 2015-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Three bestselling authors discussed how book clubs have helped propel their careers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As anyone knows who’s read anything by the five authors on today’s diversity panel, none has ever shied away from controversy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins has acquired the first novel written by Flashman author George Macdonald Fraser, Captain in Calico. The book will be published on 10th September, but throughout August, it will be available from Heywood Hill in Mayfair. Fraser was a longstanding customer at the shop, which... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The theme of the International Digital Publishing Forum conference on day one at Book Expo in New York was “Putting Readers First,” but whether power has shifted from publishers and retailers to readers - asserted in a keynote by Canelo Publishing’s Michael Bhaskar - was quickly challenged by... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Michael Joseph will release an autobiography by footballer Steven Gerrard this autumn. The book, called Steven Gerrard: My Story, promises to be an “intimate and revelatory account” of Gerrard’s career. Gerrard joined Liverpool at the age of eight and went on to play more than 700 games for... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At this year's BookExpo America, the Authors Guild is rolling out its Fair Contract Initiative, a series of commentaries it will publish in the coming months that take a "fresh look at the standard book publishing contract." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Studio 28, the digital-publishing arm of Curtis Brown Literary & Talent Agency, is to publish its first original title. The Swiss Spy by Alex Gerlis will be published as an ebook on Monday 1st June. Studio 28 officially launched in March this year, and will publish in the UK and other... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Digital Reader reports that due to concerns over “rampant commercial piracy,” Google has closed the Google Play Books Partner Center to new users. The post Google Closes Down Play Books Publisher appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The awards will identify and celebrate talented young members of the U.S. publishing community, and bring recognition to them on a global stage. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writing can be a lonely endeavor, and self-publishing—without the support of a major house—can be even lonelier. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German writer and director Jenny Erpenbeck has won the 2015 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for The End of Days (Portobello Books), translated by Susan Bernofsky, in the prize’s 25th anniversary year. Erpenbeck and Bernofsky were presented with the £10,000 award, which they will share, at a... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In The Art of War, Sun Tzu tells us, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Approaching the publishing market in China, it can be hard to distinguish the opportunities from the chaos. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The religion authority, author, and pioneer in the coverage of spirituality and religion publishing has been diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 lung cancer. Still, she has book projects in the works and no plans to abandon them. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ann Voskamp raises funds for Ramadi refugees; IVP author will head Duke's Center for Reconciliation. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author of The Caine Mutiny will look back on his century of experience in Sailor and FiddlerThere can’t be many centenarians who can celebrate their birthday by raising a glass to a new professional departure, but Herman Wouk – 100 on Wednesday, 27 May – is about to publish his first memoir.... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kara Richardson Whitely, author of 'Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds' (Seal Press, 9781580055598), will appear on 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday, May 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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