'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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Tiny Owl to publish 'Iran's most famous children's book'

A new publisher is bringing Iranian children’s books to the UK market, with the first two titles out in January.   Delaram Ghanimifard, who is from Iran but lives in the UK, set up the Tiny Owl company with her husband after noticing the lack of translated fiction in the UK. “My husband and I... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fulcrum Publishing Adds Nonfiction Graphic Novels

Fulcrum has plans to publish at least three nonfiction graphic novels a year for the foreseeable future, marketing not only to the general trade but also to comics specialty shops, libraries, and especially, schools. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What Publishers Really Think About Time Spent

Time-based metrics are used by almost every leading publisher to measure themselves, but there's been hesitancy to transact on the basis of numbers like time spent and ad exposure time. That could change soon though as a member  Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German publishers capitulate and let Google post news snippets -- for now

German publishers said they are bowing to Google’s market power, and will allow the search engine powerhouse to show news snippets in search results free of charge, at least for the time being.The decision is a step in an ongoing legal dispute between the publishers and Google. Publishers are... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers cool on outsourcing community to Facebook

Facebook and Twitter are losing their communities to the big social networks. Here's how they're trying to get them back. The post Publishers cool on outsourcing community to Facebook appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Publishing Traditions Inform Innovation

Jesse Finkelstein and Trena White of Page Two, a publishing services firm in Canada reflect on what they've learned in their first year in business. The post How Publishing Traditions Inform Innovation appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NPG/Palgrave release author insights survey

Nature Publishing Group and Palgrave Macmillan have made public data taken from an Author Insights survey questioning over 30,000 of their authors. The data – compiled last spring - has been made available publicly for the first time this week, to mark Open Access Week, and can be downloaded... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Survey: 80% of Premium Publishers Want to Sell Ads Based on Time

Just weeks after the Financial Times said it would begin selling digital ads based on the time for which they're exposed to readers, a new survey shows other digital publishers are growing bullish about the tactic. The survey, from Digital Content Next, found that 80% of "premium" publishers are... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Tops in Titles Published Per Capita and Export Revenue

The International Publishing Association released data indicated the UK lead the world in new titles published per capita and export revenue in 2013. The post UK Tops in Titles Published Per Capita and Export Revenue appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dan Brown, Arabic Authors to Star at Sharjah Book Fair

Dan Brown's talk at the Sharjah Book Fair, his first fair appearance outside the US, will be televised throughout the Arab world. The post Dan Brown, Arabic Authors to Star at Sharjah Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK publishes more books per capita than any other country, report shows

UK tops chart of publications per million inhabitants by a huge margin, with only China and US publishing more titles in absolute termsUK publishers released more than 20 new titles every hour over the course of 2014, meaning that the country published more books per inhabitant than anywhere... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roger Rosen Buys Enslow Publishing

Roger Rosen has acquired Enslow Publishing, which does nonfiction titles for children and young adults in subjects that range from biography to science and technology. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PLR Twitter campaign sees 70 new authors sign up

A Twitter campaign to encourage more authors to sign up to Public Lending Right has been successful, according to Tracy Chevalier. Seventy authors registered for PLR in the first week of the campaign, led by Chevalier - an increase of 400% on the same period the year before. Chevalier, chair... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Short Takes: Religion Publishing News Briefs, October 22, 2014

The 2015 International Christian Retail Show has opened booth registration, debuting a new exhibitor platform. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Accessibility is still a 'challenge' for publishers

Publishers need to work more closely with charities to ensure a greater number of books are published in fully accessible formats, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has said. The increase in audiobook platforms has led to a surge in the number of audiobooks produced, but... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'PW' Panel Warns Industry, Lack of Diversity Threatens Publishing

At a panel about the lack of diversity in the book publishing industry, hosted by PW, a number of publishing warned that the overwhlemingly white makeup of the industry threatens its longterm viability. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Italian Writing Festival Takes Women, Self-Publishing Seriously

The Women's Writing Festival in Matera, Italy was a showcase for the growing importance of women's fiction and self-publishing in Europe. The post Italian Writing Festival Takes Women, Self-Publishing Seriously appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Soon Will the Majority of Books Be Self-Published?

Literary agent Andrew Lownie believes that in 5-10 years, 75% of books will be self-published, 20% assisted by agents, and only 5% traditionally published. The post How Soon Will the Majority of Books Be Self-Published? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Feiwel and Friends to Publish Cecelia Ahern YA Novels

Macmillan’s Feiwel and Friends imprint has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to Cecelia Ahern's debut YA books, 'Flawed' and its sequel, 'Perfect.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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C&R's Rippon to set up Rippon Publishing Management

Jon Rippon is leaving Constable & Robinson (C&R) to set up a back-office support business for publishers. Rippon, C&R's group finance director, is the final board-level manager to leave C&R following its sale to Little, Brown Book Group earlier this year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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