Jonathan Escoffery: ‘I was trying to write novels aged nine’

The If I Survive You author on the suspense of the Booker ceremony, Americans’ warped view of the Caribbean, and writing his next novel on the roadJonathan Escoffery, 43, was born in Texas and lives in Oakland, California. His debut, If I Survive You, about a second-generation Jamaican in Miami, where Escoffery grew up, was shortlisted for last year’s Booker and is currently on the shortlist of the Gordon Burn prize, announced on 7 March. The novelist Rumaan Alam has called it “a reminder of what fiction can do... It’s truly a feat that a book of short stories tackling such big stuff – family, love, violence, race – could be so damn funny.”What did it mean to be shortlisted for the Booker prize?It felt like I’d arrived in the UK for the first time, even though the book had been out for months. I’d already connected with readers outside the US because the book is partly set in Jamaica and talks about the African-Caribbean diaspora, but suddenly I was hearing from people in India and Australia. I’d watched the ceremony when Marlon James won with A Brief History of Seven Killings in 2015. I loved what that book did for Jamaica and to see it honoured in such a massive way was beautiful. I felt like that novel was capturing a history of tumultuous politics and rising crime I’d grown up hearing in a very matter of fact way from my parents: “This is what was happening in the 70s, this is why we left.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-01-27 18:00:42 UTC ]
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Marcus Rashford to publish children’s novel The Breakfast Club Adventures

The footballer and campaigner is writing story with Alex Falase-Koya, drawing on his own memories of friendships made before starting the school day Fresh from receiving an MBE for his campaigning to lift children out of poverty, Marcus Rashford is now warming up for a new challenge: the England... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-12-01 12:04:57 UTC ]
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S&S seizes two more YA novels from TikTok sensation Silvera

Simon & Schuster has scooped two more "brilliant" YA novels from Adam Silvera, including a new book set in the same universe as his viral TikTok phenomenon They Both Die at The End (S&S).   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-30 18:53:33 UTC ]
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Alex Hyde | 'If I was ever going to write something, I was going to start with this story'

Academic Alex Hyde‘s first novel is a lyrical tale about two women named Violet during the Second World War. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-26 18:23:13 UTC ]
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Mario Vargas Llosa Returns to the Dictator Novel

The Nobel laureate’s best work has studied the hazards of power. Does his latest book extend the streak? Continue reading at New Yorker

[ New Yorker | 2021-11-24 17:40:49 UTC ]
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Foraging author Roger Phillips dies aged 89

Foraging expert Roger Phillips has died aged 89, his publisher Pan Macmillan has announced.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-24 00:28:52 UTC ]
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Angry Robot Books signs Crittendon novel in its first Black Voices Matter deal

Angry Robot Books has landed "a magical" Afro-futuristic novel from author Denise Crittendon, as its first signing through the Black Voices Matter Open submission period for Black authors without agent representation.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-22 06:42:20 UTC ]
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Wilbur Smith, Best-Selling Author of Swashbuckling Novels, Dies at 88

His books were full of lovers, dysfunctional families, pirates and hunters, and set in locations from ancient Egypt to colonial Africa. They sold in the millions. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-11-19 23:10:00 UTC ]
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People Like Her Didn’t Exist in French Novels. Until She Wrote One.

Fatima Daas’s debut book explores the writer’s conflicted identities as a lesbian, Muslim woman with an immigrant background. In France, it was an unlikely literary hit. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-11-19 10:21:37 UTC ]
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Wattpad-Webtoon’s Book Group Opens Graphic Novel Imprint

The merged Canadian and Korean platforms are expected to generate 12 graphic novels per year in the Webtoon Unscrolled imprint. The post Wattpad-Webtoon’s Book Group Opens Graphic Novel Imprint appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-19 03:13:04 UTC ]
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The Coming-of-Age Stories That Made Charlie Jane Anders

Charlie Jane Anders discusses the coming-of-age stories that shaped her award-winning science fiction and helped her confront the world in front of her. The post The Coming-of-Age Stories That Made Charlie Jane Anders appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2021-11-18 21:30:07 UTC ]
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PRH Children's signs Wilson's 'heart-breaking' YA novel about teen pregnancy

Penguin Random House Children’s has scooped Baby Love, Jacqueline Wilson's "moving" YA novel about teen pregnancy, family trouble and unlikely friendships. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-18 08:07:12 UTC ]
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Wattpad Webtoon Launches Print Graphic Novel Imprint

Wattpad Webtoon Studios announced plans to launch Webtoon Unscrolled, a new graphic novel imprint that will publish print editions of hit Webtoon mobile webcomics beginning in fall 2022. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-11-18 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Here’s The Story Behind Alan Moore’s Epic Graphic Novel That Never Was

It was just a rumor, but a persistent one. Whispers in the halls of the DC Comics offices; buzz among fans as they gathered at annual conventions. That the legendary Alan Moore, writer and creator of From Hell and V for Vendetta, had written another masterpiece, something no one had ever seen.... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2021-11-17 12:00:00 UTC ]
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A Debut Novel Where Small Moments Add Up to Something Big

In “A Little Hope,” Ethan Joella explores quiet lives in small-town Connecticut. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-11-16 10:00:03 UTC ]
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Wilbur Smith dies, aged 88

Bestselling novelist Wilbur Smith has died unexpectedly at his Cape Town home, aged 88. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-14 09:10:11 UTC ]
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Goth-rock queen PJ Harvey is publishing a book-length narrative poem that took six years to write.

PJ Harvey is trying her hand at poetry again. In April 2022, Picador Poetry in the UK will publish the hardcover edition of Orlam, Harvey’s book-length narrative poem. A special collector’s edition featuring the musician’s original artwork will follow in October 2022. The long-form poem, which... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-11-12 18:12:55 UTC ]
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Hamish Hamilton signs 'addictively readable' Hamid novel

Hamish Hamilton has signed The Last White Man, a new novel from twice Booker-shortlisted author Mohsin Hamid. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-12 14:36:33 UTC ]
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If you like action-packed historical novels, ‘The War of Jenkins’ Ear’ is just the book for you

Robert Gaudi’s lively account of the 18th-century conflict salts an already exciting narrative with vivid details and gossip Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-11-10 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Quiz: Design Your Perfect Concert and Get a Rec for a Graphic Novel on Audio

Comics on audio are like recordings of live music. They’re a translation. Design your perfect concert and get a graphic novel on audio rec, like Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-11-10 11:31:00 UTC ]
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Sara Cox's 'big-hearted' debut novel Thrown lands at Coronet

"Between the Covers" presenter Sara Cox’s debut novel, Thrown, has gone to Coronet. It follows the lives of four women at a pottery class held at a community centre. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-10 10:45:35 UTC ]
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