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'


More DC Rebirth titles restore energy to tales of classic comic characters

The rejuvenated line of comics releases graphic novel collections of the Justice League, the Flash, Nightwing, and Green Lanterns Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2017-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #justice league


Little Island Press expands into fiction with ‘adventurous’ Lish title

Fine editions publisher Little Island Press is to launch its 2017 list with fiction from Gordon Lish, touted as “one of America’s greatest men of letters” by Little Island founder and m.d. Andrew Latimer. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #island press


Roth, Coetzee, Amis join in authors' letter to Trump

Philip Roth, Zadie Smith, J M Coetzee and Anne Tyler are among 65 leading writers joining with PEN America in an open letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to reconsider his travel ban against visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #philip roth #zadie smith #anne tyler #travel ban


Ebury's Ed Faulkner joins HarperCollins as Non-fiction Publisher

Ed Faulkner, currently deputy publisher at PRH division Ebury, is joining HarperCollins as publisher, HarperNonFiction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #non-fiction publisher #ed faulkner #deputy publisher


Sands and Gundar-Goshen win JQ Wingate Literary Prize

Philippe Sands and Ayelet Gundar-Goshen have been chosen as joint winners of the Jewish Quarterly Wingate literary prize (worth £4,000). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #philippe sands #ayelet gundar-goshen #joint winners


4 new fiction audiobooks

Fiction dominates this month, with one thriller, one novel based on fact, and two easy-going tales from established authors. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2017-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #established authors


‘Prescient’ fiction at William Heinemann/Hutchinson showcase

Fiction presaging the turbulent political currents of recent months, and exploring the role of the novelist and storytelling in society, was in evidence at the William Heinemann, Hutchinson and Windmill 2017 fiction showcase. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #recent months #william heinemann


PEN America Announces 2017 Literary Award Winners

PEN America has announced the winners of the majority of its 2017 Literary Awards, which include novelist, essayist, and critic Aleksandar Hemon and novelist Helen Oyeyemi. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pen america


PFD continues Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize sponsorship until 2020

Peters Fraser & Dunlop will continue its sponsorship of the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize until 2020. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues

At a time when literary fiction has a chance to illuminate the struggles and needs of many, the leading Arabic fiction prize's shortlist makes the point. The post The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #issues appeared #international prize #arabic fiction #literary fiction


A Child of Books wins Bologna Ragazzi Award for fiction

Walker Books' A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston has won the fiction category in the Bologna Ragazzi Award 2017. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #fiction category #walker books


'Daring' Arabic Fiction Prize shortlist revealed

Mohammed Hasan Alwan has been shortlisted for a second time for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


JKP to publish letters from trans women

Jessica Kingsley Publishers is to publish Letters From Your Trans Sisters – a collection of letters written by successful trans women for other trans women at the start of their transition - edited by trans activist Charlie Craggs. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #trans women


BookNet Canada’s 2016 Snapshot: Nonfiction Lags Fiction

Statistics from BookNet Canada reveal the best-selling books of 2016, along with a stable Canadian book market and growing online book sales. The post BookNet Canada’s 2016 Snapshot: Nonfiction Lags Fiction appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #booknet canada #best-selling books


Radish Uses Serialized Genre Fiction to Attract Readers, Investment

A mobile reading app that offers short original serialized fiction, Radish has raised $3 million seed money from Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and publishing industry investments. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #attract readers #silicon valley


Women’s Prize for Fiction seeks new sponsor after Baileys deal ends

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is seeking a new sponsor after Baileys, which has backed the prize for the past four years, decided not to renew its support in 2018. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Pirate fiction series to HarperCollins Childrens Books

HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired a four-book fiction series about pirates by Amy Sparkes and Ben Cort. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harpercollins children #amy sparkes #ben cort


Letters on Growing Up Muslim: PW Talks to Omar Saif Ghobash

The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Russia addresses extremist propaganda and other challenges modern Muslims face in ‘Letters to a Young Muslim.’ Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Germany’s Bestselling Books of 2016: Fiction and Nonfiction

From crime fiction to medical advice with a sense of humor, both well-known authors and new voices were among the bestselling books in Germany last year. The post Germany’s Bestselling Books of 2016: Fiction and Nonfiction appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #crime fiction #post germany #nonfiction appeared #bestselling books