Mari Hannah: 'I had to dig very deep to keep the faith'

The creator of lesbian detective Kate Daniels was downcast when publishers rejected her work. Now, she's won the Polari first book prize for The Murder WallSomething extraordinary happened to me last week. I was outed to the whole wide world, having won the Polari first book prize 2013 for my debut novel, The Murder Wall. It was an honour and a privilege to pick up such a prestigious award – and all the more pleasing because the prize was open to works of poetry, prose, fiction and non-fiction with LGBT content.As my agent, Oli Munson, said on Twitter afterwards: "Isn't it refreshing to see a crime writer win an award that's not genre-specific?"For someone more comfortable working away in a tiny office than appearing in public, taking the stage at the Polari Literary Salon on its sixth birthday at the Southbank Centre was as terrifying as it was exciting. My Twitter feed went ballistic as congratulations poured in before I'd managed to call my kids, who were waiting on the end of a phone for news. And suddenly I was thrust into the limelight: a go-to person on lesbian issues.I've been asked what challenges I faced writing crime fiction with a lesbian protagonist. The truth is, there weren't any. They came much later as I submitted my work to agents and publishers. At the time, I was just writing a crime novel about a clever detective who just happened to be gay, much like my real-life partner – a Northumbria police officer for 30 years, a murder detective for much of her... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]

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More Mixed Signals From Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble’s second-quarter financial performance had both good news and bad news. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-12-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: e-readers

Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital sales up, physical down for B&N  

Barnes & Noble has grown Nook digital content sales by 38% year-on-year in its second quarter... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DC selling digital comics through Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

In a move that could provide a boost to the small but growing digital comic book business, DC Comics has signed deals to sell comics through online stores owned by Apple, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-11-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent booksellers refuse to stock Amazon titles

First Barnes & Noble, then Indigo Books and Music and Books-A-Million – now some indie bookstores are choosing not to add Amazon-published titles to their bookshelves. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-11-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Glowlight is 'amazing in bed', says B&N

Barnes & Noble has launched its Nook advertising push with the slogan “Amazing in bed... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PSA: Nook Simple Touch and Simple Touch with Glowlight go on sale in the UK

Barnes & Noble's arrival in the UK has been so well-telegraphed, you might be surprised to learn that today's the day the units actually launch. You'll be able to pick up a Nook Simple Touch or awkwardly-titled Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight from retailers such as John Lewis, Sainsbury's... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-10-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nook goes on sale in UK

Barnes & Noble's Nook e-readers, the Nook Simple Touch and Nook Simple Touch GlowLight,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-10-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Website problems caused Nook delay

The delay to Barnes & Noble's Nook launch is due to problems with its website, which was... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon offers ebook refunds in price-fixing settlement

Amazon will offer partial refunds to customers who bought ebooks between April 2010 and May 2012 a result of the settlement in a price-fixing case between publishers and the attorneys general of most U.S. states. The retailer is notifying eligible customers by email. Compensation ranges from... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite coming to the UK on October 25th, starting at £109

Amazon has found a relatively clear day in the calendar on which to launch its excellent Kindle Paperwhite e-reader in the British Isles. The ad-supported basic model will knock you back £109, while an extra £60 will get you the 3G version. Amazon's Lending Library service will roll-out at the... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite explained in new video

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite technology is in high demand, and the online retailer wants consumers to know how it works. The company has released a new video explainer. Kindle Paperwhite, which Amazon introduced earlier this month, has generated strong interest. Consider this: Amazon’s... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Big' UK Nook push planned

Barnes & Noble will release its self-publishing platform PubIt in the UK following the launch... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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B&N to launch tablets, Waitrose, Sainsburys to sell Nook

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dixons also to sell Nook

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[ The Bookseller | 2012-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dixons also to sell Nook, Rouvillois joins as international head

Barnes & Noble has announced Dixons as another British retail partner to sell Nook devices.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Weldon Owen buys A Bigger Picture

Illustrated reference publisher Weldon Owen has bought a title for its launch list by zoologist,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Igloo Books Building U.S. Presence

Having grown revenue to just under £20 million since its launch in 2003 to the year ended March 31, 2012, largely on the strength of inexpensive children’s and adult print books, Igloo Books, based in Northamptonshire, England, is looking to digital and international markets to drive its next... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Judge approves settlement for Hachette, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins in ebook lawsuit

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[ Engadget | 2012-09-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon unveils $159 7-inch Kindle Fire 2012 with 1GB RAM and 44 percent better performance

Amazon has officially unveiled the 2012 vintage of the Kindle Fire, which is reportedly 44 percent more powerful than its predecessor. The service-orientated slate (as opposed to a gadget, which CEO Jeff Bezos claims nobody wants) comes with a bigger battery, a new processor and 1GB RAM --... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-09-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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