'It's a real battle': African authors fight for publishing independence

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 ]
News tagged with: #rights territories #local readers #sub-saharan africa #books written #world rights #debut novel

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The Author School to launch during LBF

Writer Abiola Bello and publicist Helen Lewis will launch The Author School, a “creative and innovative new community for aspiring, self-published and published authors”, during London Book Fair. The school will involve classes, workshops, one-to-one tutorials and online courses, with the first... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors sign protest letter against baseline tests

Authors including Philip Pullman, Michael Rosen, John Dougherty, and Alan Gibbons have signed a letter saying baseline assessment tests should not be brought in to primary schools. The tests, to be introduced in September 2015, will take place in the first few weeks after a child starts in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Is a Battle Between Amazon and HarperCollins Looming?

Business Insider, reports that the contract between Amazon and HarperCollins is close to expiring, and HC is balking at Amazon's current offer. The post Is a Battle Between Amazon and HarperCollins Looming? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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From Bologna: Mattel Publishing Has New Plans

At the Bologna Book Fair, toy company Mattel announced new plans to publish books and digital stories for Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and others. The post From Bologna: Mattel Publishing Has New Plans appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Orbital Publishing Accused of Fraud in Selling Subscriptions

Top prosecutors in several states accused an Oregon company on Tuesday of overcharging consumers for subscriptions to newspapers, magazines and other periodicals.   The Orbital Publishing Group, a periodical subscription service, is facing accus ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bologna 2015: Authors in the Aisles and on the Town

Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella, Malorie Blackman, and Dav Pilkey were among the authors celebrating new books and meeting international publishers in Bologna. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing Industry Antics on April Fools

Books are a serious business, but the publishing industry had a little fun on April 1 to commemorate April Fools' Day. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bologna Prize for the Best Children's Publisher of the Year

The winners for the Best Children's Publisher of the Year were announced in Sala Borsa in Bologna on Monday, March 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Authors Force Clean Reader App to Stop Some Book Sales

Creators of the Clean Reader app will no longer sell books after receiving complaints from authors that their works were being altered without permission. The post UK Authors Force Clean Reader App to Stop Some Book Sales appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What will be on digital publishers’ minds a year from now?

At Digiday’s Publishing Summit in Vail, Colorado, the big issues crowding publishers’ minds included viewability challenges, mobile and programmatic. So we wondered: What will we be talking about in a year from now that’s not getting much attention now? Publishing execs predicted growing ad... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2015-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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From bots to bottom lines: Publishers on ad fraud (Infographic)

We asked attendees at last week’s Digiday Publishing Summit to come clean on their ability to face up to the threat of ad fraud. Here’s how well they’re coping with bots, how big of a threat ad fraud will be in the next 12 months and more. Sponsor content by Distil Networks. The post From bots... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2015-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury to publish Rosoff's first adult title

Bloomsbury has signed Meg Rosoff's first novel for adults, a romantic comedy set in New York. Helen Garnons-Williams, publishing director for fiction, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, at auction from Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. Duck Zoo tells the story... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 27, 2015: Annie Cohen-Solal

Annie Cohen-Solal, author of 'Mark Rothko: Toward the Light in the Chapel' (Yale University Press, 9780300182040) will appear on PBS's 'Charlie Rose' on Friday. March 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Survey Says Median Author Advance in UK under £6,600

The Bookseller reports that the median advance for traditionally published UK authors is less than 6,600 pounds, based on the early results of a new survey The post Survey Says Median Author Advance in UK under £6,600 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers Respond to Bookstore Chain's Dropping Heaven Books

Publishers offered a measured response to news that the Lifeway Christian Stores chain will no longer carry "heaven tourism" books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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European Publishing Spotlight, 2015

Ahead of the 2015 London Book Fair, PW asked publishing insiders from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden to share what's happening in their markets, from the hot genres to the big-picture challenges. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Italian Publishing, Caution Prevails

As book sales continue to decline in Italy, publishers are extremely careful in building their lists. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nielsen’s BookInsights: UK Publishers Sold £2.2 Billion in 2014

UK publishers sold £2.2 billion of books in 2004, with ebooks accounting for nearly half UK fiction sales—though print in other categories proved resilient. The post Nielsen’s BookInsights: UK Publishers Sold £2.2 Billion in 2014 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Global Publishers Look to Embrace the Digital Future

The 30th session of the International Publishing Association ended May 26 in Bangkok, completing three days of discussions focused on the ever-changing practices that drive global publishing in the digital era. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Median author advance under £6,600

The median advance for traditionally published authors is “well under £6,600”, according to early findings of a survey into authors’ attitudes towards their publisher. The survey also found that bigger publishers pay more. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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