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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10 Southern Gothic Novels that Changed the Game

Daryl Gregory, author of the new novel 'Revelator,' recommends 10 groundbreaking Southern gothics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-09-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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All Stories reveals its 14 writing mentees

An Arts Council-funded scheme to support writers from a range of underrepresented backgrounds has revealed its first intake of 14 budding writers, who will be mentored by book editors. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-02 21:17:19 UTC ]
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10 of the Best Novels and Short Stories about the First World War

The story of the First World War has been told in fiction, film, and television many times since the Great War began in 1914. Previously, we gathered together some of the best poems about the First World War, but what about the novels and short stories that have been written? […] Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2021-09-02 14:00:03 UTC ]
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Critics applaud Rooney's 'tour de force' new novel

Critics have dubbed Sally Rooney’s third book, Beautiful World, Where Are You (Faber), a “tour de force” with one calling it the author’s best novel. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-02 13:10:56 UTC ]
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He fought in the Marines and MMA matches. A novel about his mother was the fight of his life

Atticus Lish was acclaimed for his first novel 'Preparation for the Next Life.' His second, 'The War for Gloria,' is more raw, painful and personal. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-09-02 13:00:39 UTC ]
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Prize-winning author Cathy MacPhail dies, aged 75

The prize-winning Scottish children’s author Cathy MacPhail has died at the age of 75 following a long illness.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-31 17:49:46 UTC ]
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Granta triumphs in five-way auction for Metcalfe's debut novel

Granta Books has won a five-way auction for Anna Metcalfe’s debut novel, Chrysalis. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-31 05:13:40 UTC ]
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PRH US pays tribute to Seyfried after death, aged 36

Penguin Random House US has paid tribute to 36-year-old vice-president Erika Seyfried, who died over the weekend.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-30 18:31:43 UTC ]
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Beyond normal: new novel brings Sally Rooney mania to bookshops across UK

Many shops plan to open early for the arrival of Sally Rooney’s latest novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You next monthWhen they were children they lined the streets in their witch hats and capes, keen to pick up the latest Harry Potter title as bookshops opened their doors at midnight. Now they... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-28 15:00:00 UTC ]
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Viking bags 'richly atmospheric' gothic novel from Underdown

Viking has bagged a "richly atmospheric" gothic novel from Beth Underdown in a two-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-26 03:36:53 UTC ]
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Transworld scoops debut novel by Unmumsy Mum in six-figure deal

Transworld has scooped a "joyful and emotional" debut novel by author and blogger Sarah Turner, also known as The Unmumsy Mum, in a six-figure, two-book deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-26 01:27:52 UTC ]
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Jill Murphy, author of The Worst Witch, dies aged 72

Children’s author and illustrator Jill Murphy, best known for the Worst Witch novels and Large Family picture books, has died aged 72.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-20 03:26:07 UTC ]
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Headline Review acquires two 'thought-provoking' novels from Matt Cain

Headline Review has acquired two more books from Matt Cain, whose fourth novel, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, was published by the imprint earllier this year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-19 11:27:18 UTC ]
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16 of the Best Contemporary Romance Novels Since 2016

These are 16 of the best contemporary romance novels that have been published in the last five years, including Destination Wedding by Diksha Basu. Get your summer reading list ready! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-08-18 10:35:00 UTC ]
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Sarah Ferguson’s Mills & Boon novel edges on to UK bestsellers chart

Historical romance Her Heart for a Compass has made it to the official UK book chart – but it still lies well clear of Bridgerton’s successIt’s not quite Bridgerton levels of sales, but Sarah Ferguson’s first venture into the romantic fiction market, Her Heart for a Compass, has nonetheless made... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-17 15:54:59 UTC ]
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Orbit bags Emily Tesh's 'epic and intimate' debut novel

Little, Brown science fiction and fantasy imprint Orbit has snapped up fantasy author Emily Tesh's "phenomenal" debut novel, Some Desperate Glory. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-17 15:24:34 UTC ]
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Hodder snaps up Dylan’s ‘compulsive’ near-future SF novel

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired Mindwalker, a "compulsively page-turning" science fiction novel from Kate Dylan.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-16 21:44:42 UTC ]
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Writing Winter Counts

The stories and perspectives of Native American citizens have been consigned to the margins for centuries­; Winter Counts is a response to that Native Americans in the United States remain largely marginalised in popular culture. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-15 06:10:45 UTC ]
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Emerald Publishing founder Dr Keith Howard dies, aged 89

The founder and owner of Emerald Publishing, Dr Keith Howard, has died peacefully at his home at the age of 89. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-14 08:04:56 UTC ]
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“I’ll take my characters to bed.” Walter Dean Myers on his writing process and routines.

On this day in 1937, the prolific author Walter Dean Myers was born Walter Milton Myers in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The three-time National Book Award finalist was known for his realistic, groundbreaking, affecting portrayals of the Black urban experience, which did not shy away from... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-08-12 14:30:33 UTC ]
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