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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Indie authors are well positioned to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic publishing landscape Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry notes: The Federation of European Publishers is backing efforts to see the cultural sector included in EU Special Council meetings, while Bonnier donates to open a ‘Reading Fund’ in Germany. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson FEP’s Manifesto: ‘European Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-07-17 17:40:53 UTC ]
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The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has joined up with New York's Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency to help members with the management and licensing of their rights. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-19 11:38:35 UTC ]
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As Black Lives Matter protests take place across the world, the publishing world is rushing to support those ‘ignored by the mainstream’. Who is the mainstream, then?The publishing industry is stilted and archaic. I worked in it for seven years, and left due to reasons I can’t legally talk... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2020-06-11 09:44:22 UTC ]
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Author Dorothy Koomson has written an open letter to the publishing industry, in which she describes it as a “hostile environment for Black authors”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-10 06:37:48 UTC ]
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Publishers and authors have continued to share reading lists and offers of help following the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-05 10:41:41 UTC ]
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Little Tiger is to publish a picture book celebrating the work of key workers, to raise money for the NHS during Independent Bookshop week. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-26 01:38:15 UTC ]
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A survey of indie presses shows that 60% fear they could be out of business by the autumn, writes Galley Beggar Press cofounder Sam JordisonOver the past few years, the success of independent publishers such as Fitzcarraldo, And Other Stories, Bluemooose and Influx Press has been something to... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2020-05-15 06:00:32 UTC ]
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As an industry, we are uniquely positioned to meet many of these needs and support the nation right now. After all we are in the business of informing, educating and entertaining people. And our industry has responded in many ways, with authors leading the charge. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-06 15:37:20 UTC ]
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“Many” requests have been made by publishers about the possibility of delaying payments to authors to help improve cashflow in the difficult circumstances caused by Covid-19, it has emerged. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-20 15:49:24 UTC ]
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On Tuesday, Simon & Schuster announced it will publish Alex Trebek's memoir, "The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life," on July 21. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-04-14 19:35:53 UTC ]
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Mango Publishing tops the list for the second year in a row, while other presses are finding their own paths to move ahead. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In response to the coronavirus outbreak and government advice to socially distance, authors, readers and booksellers are thinking of new, exciting and creative ways to launch their books and keep readers engaged after in-person-events get cancelled. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-18 11:27:40 UTC ]
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Clive Cussler, the author of more than 85 books, written over 4 decades, died at home on Monday, February 24, at the age of 88. Cussler was a major bestseller in his lifetime, selling over 100 million copies of his thrillers and adventure novels, and hitting The New York Times‘s bestseller list... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-26 20:05:13 UTC ]
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Los Angeles Review of Books editor Tom Lutz talks about "Born Slippy," his first novel, and why the city should have a more vibrant book publishing industry Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-02-09 15:00:03 UTC ]
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The latest Oprah's Book Club pick by Jeanine Cummins, a white woman, has been widely criticized for stereotypical depictions of Mexicans and migration. Continue reading at HuffPost
[ HuffPost | 2020-01-29 21:08:32 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Children’s Books has triumphed in an eight-publisher UK auction for début author Aisling Fowler’s Middle Grade magical adventure series Fireborn. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-01-09 01:49:54 UTC ]
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Two Roads has pre-empted a “fascinating” novel by Janet Skeslien Charles that was the subject of a 12-way auction in the US and 17 other foreign rights deals. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-13 00:50:28 UTC ]
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US publishers are still fighting to see books produced in China excluded from tariffs, even as a new tariff affecting books is expected to come into force on 15th December. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-26 14:22:15 UTC ]
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Authors have discussed the importance of perspectives on mental health when considering diversity and inclusion, with Rose Cartwright revealing she walked away from a traditional publishing deal for fear of being “compromised”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-26 00:58:31 UTC ]
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