Literary fiction conveys the human character | Letters

Helen Cross, Andy Stelman, Mark Stewart and Richard Adams respond to a recent Guardian article by Tim LottAs someone whose tiny, grimy literary novels have attracted the interest of the film industry, the truth is the opposite of what Tim Lott (Why should we subsidise writers who’ve lost the plot?, 2 January) suggests; it’s the screenwriter who needs the literary novelist. Plot is easy to learn (and even easier to flog to impressionable students excited by the supposed glamour of the writing life), but impossible to make work on the page without an ability to master what the novel can uniquely convey: the deep mysteries of human interiority. Or, as the screenwriters say, character.Helen CrossFlamborough, East Yorkshire• Tim Lott clearly has not heard of, nor read: Adam Thorpe (Ulverton), Graham Swift (Waterland and Mothering Sunday), Sebastian Barry (A Long, Long Way and Days Without End), Colm Tóibín (Norah Webster), Kamila Shamsie (Home Fire), Salley Vickers (Miss Garnet’s Angel) and many other contemporary British and Irish authors who maintain and expand a “great tradition” of fictional output.Andy StelmanBishop’s Castle, Shropshire Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #mothering sunday #sebastian barry #irish authors

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Literary fiction conveys the human character | Letters'


Selling Rights Into China: Interview with Literary Agent Jackie Huang

For advice on selling rights into the Chinese market, we speak with Andrew Nurnberg Associates' Jackie Huang of Beijing, who will address the Taipei International Book Exhibition's Frankfurter Buchmesse professional program next week. The post Selling Rights Into China: Interview with Literary... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #selling rights #chinese market


Poetry is pleasing, even on YouTube | Letters

Poetry of all tastes and genres should be celebrated, say Angela Croft and Catherine RoomeFurther to the critique in PN Review that you report (Literary world split as poet attacks rise of social media ‘noble amateur’, 24 January), the wonderful thing about the current poetry scene is there is... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #hollie mcnish #kings place


New literary publisher Fairlight reveals 'stonking' launch title

Newly-established publisher Fairlight Books has revealed the first of its new titles for 2018. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #launch title


Connal to spearhead new narrative non-fiction list at Octopus

Octopus has appointed Claudia Connal as publishing director to head up a new strand of narrative non-fiction within the business. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #narrative non-fiction


Oneworld novel on International Prize for Arabic Fiction longlist

The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) has revealed its longlist of 16 novels in contention for the 2018 prize, including a novel soon to be published by independent UK publisher Oneworld. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international prize


Popular Fiction Topped December International Bestseller Lists

Eric Vuillard’s Goncourt Prize–winner The Agenda, a historical novel about the Nazi annexation of Austria, remained at #1 in France. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Saving Christian Fiction

In a moribund market, faith-based publishers hunt for fresh voices and new genres. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Female writers dominated 2017's literary bestsellers, figures show

Topped by Margaret Atwood, the UK’s Top 10 bestselling authors of literary fiction last year features only one male writer, Haruki MurakamiFlying in the face of Norman Mailer’s infamous comment that “a good novelist can do without everything but the remnant of his balls”, Haruki Murakami was the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #figures show #margaret atwood #literary fiction #male writer #haruki murakami


Writer Herman Wouk's Palm Springs compound has plenty of character

A Palm Springs compound owned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Herman Wouk has come on the market at $2.495 million. The stone-walled house, built in the 1940s, was once a retreat of actors Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. One could say a lot of character has developed here during the decades.... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Women dominated the top 10 literary bestsellers of 2017

Women writers dominated the best-selling literary novels of last year, taking nine of the top 10 spots, according to an analysis of Nielsen BookScan sales. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #women dominated


Jitney Books Stakes Out the Miami Literary Scene

The micropublishing venture launched in late 2017 focuses on quirky literary works written solely by authors based in the Miami area. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors based


Letter from the Editor: Macmillan Stands Up to President Trump

PW' editorial director Jim Milliot examines Macmillan's resolution to stand firm against threats from President Trump, and 'PW' publishes Macmillan CEO John Sargent's letter to staff on the matter. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #president trump #stand firm


A Literary Center Grows in Orange, California

The Open Book in Minneapolis has become an inspiration for similar projects around the country, including Levin Staniec's 1888 Center in Orange, Calif., which finally secured a storefront last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #open book #similar projects #finally secured


Man Booker Prize for Fiction Adds New Eligibility for Irish Publishers

The intent of the eligibility change, according to the Booker Prize Foundation, is to be sure that Irish independent publishers can be recognized as readily as Irish publishers headquartered in the UK. The post Man Booker Prize for Fiction Adds New Eligibility for Irish Publishers appeared first... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #irish publishers


John Murray celebrates 250 years with non-fiction prize

John Murray is launching an international non-fiction prize worth £20,000 to mark its 250th anniversary this year. At the same time, publisher Mark Richards has been given new responsibilities to lead the imprint. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #non-fiction prize #john murray #250th anniversary


2018 literary breakthrough: Kima Jones

Kima Jones is the founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts, a not-yet-3-year-old, three-person L.A.-based book publicity company whose clients are primarily women of color. Jones is a savvy media strategist and creative force, already counting a Pulitzer Prize winner (Tyehimba Jess’ poetry collection... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-01-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #creative force #poetry collection


Joyce Marlow’s was a life to remember | Letters

The historian did important work on the Peterloo massacre and the suffragette movement, says Lindsey German, and deserves greater prominence than the failed memoir forger Clifford IrvingIt shows a somewhat strange priority that your main obituary on 27 December described the life of Clifford... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #world war


Books: Last-minute gift ideas, a literary road trip and more

I know there are some people done with their holiday shopping; I am not one of them. If you, like me, still have some gifts to get, this newsletter may be able to help you. (Your friends and family like books, right?) I’m L.A. Times books editor Carolyn Kellogg with this week’s newsletter. YOUR... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-12-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #holiday shopping


Internet giants such as Facebook and Twitter must be made accountable for content they publish | Letters

Ian Bartlett says the ruling that Uber is a transport company not a digital service could also change the way we view other digital giants; and Derek Wyatt suggests a post-Brexit Britain could create a Global Digital Foundation to address these issuesUber is officially a transport company and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-12-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #british council #soft power #foreign policy


Bodleian reveals Tolkien's 'Father Christmas' letters

The Bodleian Libraries in Oxford are unveiling a series of previously unseen letters that J R R Tolkien wrote to his children “from Father Christmas” every winter for 23 years. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #father christmas #bodleian libraries