'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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Facebook to Make Sure the Right People See Publishers' Posts

Facebook keeps coming up with ways to reduce the amount of bloat in people's news feeds. But while recent efforts have angered those putting out that bloat -- advertisers and social gaming firms -- Facebook's latest move seems intended to pre-empt any pushback.Facebook unveiled a few new tools... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What we learned about publishing in 2014

Here are five of the big publishing trends of 2014, and what we learned. The post What we learned about publishing in 2014 appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Four Questions For...Other Press Publisher Judith Gurewich

PW talked to Other Press publisher Judith Gurewich, who picked up world English rights to a bestseller in France after a heated auction at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What Facebook’s search feature means for brands, publishers

Facebook's new search feature will give users a more active role in media discovery, and likely change how brands and publishers use the platform. The post What Facebook’s search feature means for brands, publishers appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fogg appointed publishing director at HC

Cornerstone's Jack Fogg is joining HarperCollins in the newly-created role of publishing director for fiction and non-fiction. Fogg is currently editorial director at Cornerstone imprint Century, where he has worked with authors including Rod Stewart, James Corden, Tim Vine and Hugh Howey. He... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How fusty old Hearst is becoming a modern publisher

Six ways Hearst is tackling the gritty work of becoming a modern publisher. The post How fusty old Hearst is becoming a modern publisher appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Short Takes: Religion Publishing News Briefs, December 10, 2014

Audio line debut for IVP; 2015 Grawemeyer winner announced; Target Holiday Book Club features Nelson book; Baker titles selected as best church resources; Puritan/Reformed publisher releases new Bible, books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CIA Torture Report to be Published as Book

Melville House will publish 'The Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture' as a paperback and an ebook on December 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Moonves: Amazon Deal Better for S&S, Authors

In a presentation to analysts on December 9, at the UBS Media Conference, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said Simon & Schuster’s new sales agreement with Amazon is better for both S&S, and authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Unseen Dredd art to be published

Previously unseen sketches of one of the UK's best-known comic book characters are to be published for the first time. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Much Can You Fake in Publishing? From Clare Balding to Zoella

In the UK, Zoella was revealed to have used a ghostwriter, while Clare Balding's book cover clearly looks fake. How much of this is okay? The post How Much Can You Fake in Publishing? From Clare Balding to Zoella appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ANA Bot Report Reveals Unsettling Truth About Premium Publisher Inventory

A 60-day study conducted by the Association of National Advertisers and ad fraud detection company White Ops came to a conclusion likely to unsettle many digital ad buyers: purchasing ads from premium publishers does not protect marketers from fraud."Advertisers who assume that traffic to... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blink Publishing to launch 'Reality' imprint

Bonnier's Blink Publishing is launching a new imprint, Blink Reality, to focus on "compelling true stories and relevant real life issues". The imprint will be headed by newly appointed publisher Emily Thomas, and will begin releasing titles in summer 2015. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air December 9, 2014: Stefanie Sacks, Trista Sutter

Stefanie Sacks, author of 'What the Fork Are You Eating?: An Action Plan for Your Pantry and Plate' (Tarcher, 9780399167966), will appear on 'The Dr. Oz Show' on Tuesday, December 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French publishers warned on ebook VAT rise

The French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’Edition, SNE) has warned its members that France may raise VAT on ebooks from 5.5% to the standard 20% during the first half of next year to avoid a fine of several million euros from the European Court of Justice, according to the trade... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Durham Stepping Down at Amazon Publishing

Daphne Durham, publisher of adult trade and children's at Amazon Publishing, will be leaving the company on January 16, and will be succeeded by Mikyla Bruder, current head of global marketing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon goes head to head with Wattpad in battle for fanfic writers

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[ The Guardian | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faxel Named Publisher of Dreamscape Media

Midwest Tape has appointed Tammy Faxel publisher of its audiobook and video division, Dreamscape Media. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air December 8, 2014: Peter Zeihan

Peter Zeihan, author of 'The Accidental Superpower: The Next Generation of American Preeminence and the Coming Global Disorder' (Twelve, 9781455583669), will appear on Fox Business Channel’s 'Varney & Company' on Monday, December 8. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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“México20″ List Spotlights Top Young Mexican Authors

The México20 list highlights 20 Mexican authors under 40 to be promoted in 2015 when Mexico is Guest of Honor at the London Book Fair. The post “México20″ List Spotlights Top Young Mexican Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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