Jamie Byng: ‘Listening to letters being read out is quite something’

The Canongate Books boss on the success of Letters Live, performances of notable correspondence by leading lights of stage and screenJamie Byng, 46, son of the 8th Earl of Strafford, grew up in Hampshire and studied at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating he joined Canongate Books as an intern and bought out the struggling Edinburgh publishing house two years later, aged just 25. His successes include the UK publication of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, which won the Man Booker prize in 2002 and sold more than 3m copies. In 2013 he set up Letters Live, “a celebration of the enduring power of literary correspondence” based in part on Shaun Usher’s Letters of Note books. Letters Live returns to London’s Freemasons’ Hall on Thursday 10 March.How did Letters Live come about?In 2013 we published two books about letters on the same day. One was Simon Garfield’s To the Letter, which is a history of letter-writing. The other, Letters of Note, grew out of Shaun Usher’s website, which compiles great correspondence throughout history. We decided to promote both books by getting people to read out letters in a live setting. Nick Cave had a letter in Shaun’s book and he’s a good friend, so it was very straightforward to call him up and say “How’s about it?” Gillian Anderson went totally nuts for a Katharine Hepburn letter to Spencer Tracy. Everyone I asked who was around – Benedict Cumberbatch, Matt Berry, Neil Gaiman, Bruce Robinson – said yes. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-03-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Black & White: read all over

A canny fiction strategy is paying dividends for Scottish indie Black & White. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Give female historians the credit we deserve | Letters

Flattered though I was to be praised by David Kynaston (Move over history boys, Review, 6 February), this piece misses the problem. Women do write history; the issue is why they are neglected. The academic profession needs to address this. Historians who want an academic job or promotion often... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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John Murray to publish Patrick Leigh Fermor's letters

John Murray is publishing a collection of letters penned by late travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #john murray


Scholastic Reading Club’s Judy Newman: ‘Joy and Bonding’

Scholastic Reading Club President Judy Newman talks about trends in children's reading habits and encouragement from parents and educators. The post Scholastic Reading Club’s Judy Newman: ‘Joy and Bonding’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Audible app integrates with Android Auto for easier listening while on the road

Your next cruise down the highway may be more enjoyable if you have Amazon’s Audible app and Android Auto.The audiobook app now works with Google’s car interface so you can more easily fire up a book and use the Android Auto interface to control playback. The update allows you to fine tune... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2016-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Sick of Reading about White Boys and Dogs,’ 11-Year-Old Launches #1000BlackGirlBooks

#1000BlackGirlBooks is a project headed by an 11-year-old in Philadelphia who wants to promote diversity in children's books. The post ‘Sick of Reading about White Boys and Dogs,’ 11-Year-Old Launches #1000BlackGirlBooks appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nothing sweet about A Birthday Cake for George Washington | Letters

Censorship is when a government or authority prevents someone from speaking or writing. When a business stops producing something because it is faulty, that is product recall (Book pulled over criticism of slavery depiction, 19 January).For those who think A Birthday Cake for George Washington... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Letters to Calendar: Remembering Glenn Frey

Glenn Frey remembered Your article on the life and times of Glenn Frey moved me ["An Appreciation: Took It to the Limit," Jan. 18]. Thank you for creating such an informative and elegant tribute. Jim Cain Bath, N.Y. See more of Entertainment’s top stories on Facebook >> Frey's band was one... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Echo can read your Kindle books aloud on request

You don't even need to lift a finger when you're done playing Jeopardy! on Amazon Echo and want to relax with a book. Simply say "Alexa, read [Kindle book title]," and the voice assistant will start narrating almost anything you purchased from the Ki... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2016-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Everything You Should Read This Week

Welcome to the Slate Plus Digest, a weekly newsletter that provides you with great stuff to read from both inside and outside Slate. We’re combining What Happened at Slate This Week, our roundup of Slate stories, with Reading List, which pointed you to stories on other sites. There’s new stuff... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2016-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Worldwide reading held for poet sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

A worldwide reading is being held in support of Ashraf Fayadh, a Palestinian poet, artist and curator living in Saudi Arabia, who has been sentenced to death for the abandonment of his Muslim faith. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Staff Pick: 'Letters to Vera' by Vladimir Nabokov

Reviews director Louisa Ermelino recommends 'Letters to Vera,' the letters Vladimir Nabokov wrote to his wife between 1923 and 1944. They elevate the mundane and provide a glimpse into another time. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Begins Letter-Writing Campaign to Meet with Publishers

As part of its ongoing effort to raise writers’ income, the Authors Guild is sending an open letter to members of the Association of American Publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Adweek's 10 Most Read Technology Stories of 2015

Here are the 10 most-read technology stories published by Adweek in 2015:     10. These Are the Digital Trends Everyone in Tech and Advertising Needs to Know Mary Meeker runs digital investments for top Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, and every year she... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2015-12-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Quiz: 2015 in books – how closely were you reading?

Who found the manuscript for Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman? Which taunt did Martin Amis level at Jeremy Corbyn? And who hasn’t had an adult colouring book devoted to them (yet)? Test your knowledge of this year’s books here1. Which star’s debut novel was a black comedy about industrial... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Recommended Reading: Don't try to shop on Facebook or Twitter

Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read.I Tried Holiday Shopping on Fa... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2015-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Notables Of the Year: Margot Atwell, Maris Kreizman, and Jamie Tanner

Kickstarter, and crowdfunding in general, continues to transform the way small publishers and self-publishers secure funding for all types of book projects. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tamblyn to present 'reading manifesto' at Futurebook Conference

Michael Tamblyn, president of Rakuten Kobo, is to present a manifesto for reading at the FutureBook Conference. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Does reading self-help books make us more stressed?

Does reading self-help books make a reader more stressed out and depressed – or are stressed, depressed people simply more likely to read self-help books? A study suggests either could be true. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Listening 101: Why It's Important to Pay Attention in a World of Distraction

Can the simple act of listening deepen your relationships, create a better life, and even ensure a smooth holiday dinner? Spiritual director McHugh explores the perks of keeping open ears in ‘The Listening Life.’ Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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