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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More on the Family Christian bankruptcy; the newest awards season lists; the Dalai Lama gets a book for his 80th birthday. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indie publisher Mountainview Books will publish the three winners of this year's Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CrossBooks, the self-publishing division of B&H Publishing Group, is closing its doors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Andrea Fuentes of illustrated books publisher La Caja de Cerillos — Match Box Editions — outlines how she is trying to revolutionize reading in Mexico The post A Publishing Manifesto from Mexico’s Match Box Editions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fans of the classic science fiction novel recently got a look at a section of the book that was taken out before publication. 'Wrinkle' won the Newbery Medal. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Union for Reform Judaism will halt its publishing program, and its backlist will be picked up by Berhman House and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two authors and a fanzine have withdrawn their work from the Hugo science fiction awards, claiming alleged right-wing activists are skewing the voting process. The annual awards honour the best science fiction and fantasy works and achievements of the previous year across a number of... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With the young adult boom in full swing, Norwegian publisher and authors look to expand into the lucrative market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When “Kindle Cover Disasters” debuted on Tumblr earlier this year, the Internet ROFLMFAO’d at the truly heinous designs: cheap clipart, effects reminiscent of early Print Shop, clashing pastels, Photoshopping by palsied hands, and fonts so troubling you find yourself celebrating the relative... Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Melissa and Dallas Hartwig, authors of 'The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom' (HMH, 9780544609716) will appear on the 'Today' show on Tuesday, April 21. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Society of Authors has said that a “publishing industry which does not reflect society fails writers, readers and itself”. Nicola Solomon, the organisation’s chief executive, and HarperCollins’ director of people John Athanasiou have backed a new report calling for improved diversity across... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Trust is currency when it comes to media. Facing the specter of a tough ad market, many top publishers fall back on “trust” as a differentiator — and excuse for higher ad rates. “We consider ourselves mo ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jordanian entrepreneur Suleiman Bakhit produces superhero comic books for the Arab youth, to counter radical Islamist ideologies. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A memorial service for Random House UK’s Simon Master, who died in January, provided a fitting PS to the London Book Fair which wrapped up last week. The post UK Publishing Giant Simon Master Remembered appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The author of the bestselling cookbook 'Flour' is back with a new title that offers recipes with white sugar-alternatives—honey, molasses, fruit juice, coconut milk—that still satisfy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook's tentacles are reaching deeper into the publishing ecosystem. One of its newest tools, interest targeting, lets publishers target their content on Facebook to fans of niche communities like sports or TV shows. The tool is showing results for publishers like The New York Times, which is... Continue reading at Digiday
[ Digiday | 2015-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How the rebels behind scholarly publishing app Mendeley—once labeled sellouts—are growing their company after being acquired by Elsevier.In 2013, when Victor Henning announced that his startup Mendeley would be acquired by one of the world's biggest media companies, he knew there would be... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2015-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The London Book Fair has evolved to reflect the 'new ecology' of publishing and shift in confidence, says Faber's Stephen Page. The post London Book Fair’s Evolution Reflects Publishing’s “New Ecology” appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Channel 4 is gearing up to launch its own video game publisher. The UK broadcaster has commissioned mobile games before, but they've often been specific projects that relate to its most popular programming. Now, it wants to offer additional support t... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2015-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book fairs have become much more aware of the purchasing power of the Hispanic population in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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