Our annual pick of the most exciting debut fiction has previously tipped Sally Rooney and Louise Kennedy, Tom Crewe and Douglas Stuart. Here the class of 2024 tell us their storiesEach year since 2014, the Observer New Review’s writers and editors have read scores of forthcoming debut novels from authors based in the UK and Ireland in order to spotlight the best; here’s our pick of 2024. As ever, our only guide was the quality of the books in front of us. This year’s list includes industry-tipped titles snapped up by big-spending publishers, but also a canny acquisition from a small independent press. There’s a third book from someone already widely celebrated as a writer of short stories, and even a debut from an actual Observer journalist. These are simply the books we rated most – and we think you’ll love them too.In previous years, we led you to Douglas Stuart’s Booker-winning Shuggie Bain, Gail Honeyman’s global bestseller Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Sheena Patel’s cult indie hit I’m a Fan. Last year’s picks continue to hoover up honours. Tom Crewe’s The New Life won the Orwell prize for fiction, while Michael Magee (Close to Home) won the Rooney prize, awarded to an outstanding Irish writer under 40. Both writers are on the shortlist for this month’s Nero debut fiction prize, along with Stephen Buoro, another of our 2023 picks.I’d take the washing up shifts no one else wanted so I could be at the back, jotting things downThere’s violence, but it’s about... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2024-01-14 07:00:20 UTC ]
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A graphic novelist who once had a fledgling Hollywood career was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for the brutal torture killing of his fiancee — a murder prosecutors say took cues from a gory book he worked on years earlier. Blake Leibel, 37, was convicted last week of the 2016 slaying of... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Mainstreet Trading Company is celebrating its 10th birthday by selecting 10 books to represent its history. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vintage is organising a fundraising walk to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the NHS and to celebrate the important contribution made by nurses. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In some ways, it has never been easier to become an author – but in others, it has never been harder. While self-publishing, blogging and crowdfunding have opened up opportunities, there are also unprecedented financial pressures that determine who can and can’t afford to write, with books... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At the Conference of International Book Fair Directors in Gothenburg last week, executives met to discuss industry issues and prepare a statement in support of human rights, reading, and diversity. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nick White, author of 'Sweet and Low,' picks books by Kiese Laymon, Jill McCorkle, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The bestselling iBooks in biographies and memoirs, fiction and literature, mysteries and thrillers, and more for the week ended June 10, 2018. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Michelle Tea, author of 'Against Memoir,' picks books by Maggie Nelson, Imogen Binnie, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The award-winning authors Kwame Alexander, Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Jacqueline Woodson will join podcaster and activist DeRay Mckesson to discuss social justice and positive representation in young adult literature. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Catherynne M. Valente, author of 'Space Opera,' picks books by Cory Doctorow, Stanislaw Lem, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers are urging the UK government to support measures that would allow VAT to be removed on ebooks, audiobooks and online newspaper and magazine subscriptions in the UK. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bertelsmann has achieved its highest first-quarter revenues in 10 years and said it is on track to achieve net profit in excess of one billion euros for the year. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Which Bay Area companies caught the eyes of VCs last year? In the most recent issue of the San Francisco Business Times we published our annual ranking of the Greater Bay Area’s 100 largest venture capital recipients, based on total disclosed funding in 2017 as reported by Thomson... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal
[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2018-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In 2018, the Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is celebrating its 10th year, and marking the 65th anniversary of Thomas’ death. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Newton’s third law of comic book shows states that for every superhero, there is an equal and opposite supervillain, even if he or she doesn’t arrive until the second season. So it was inevitable that Luke Cage, the superhero defined by his invulnerability to physical harm, would face off... Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2018-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'In an industry where everything is returnable, why are we out of stock so often?' is the kind of question tackled at the Book Industry Study Group's annual meeting last week, focus on the supply chain. The post BISG’s Annual Meeting: Making 2018 Our ‘Metadata Year’ appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a series of panels held at its annual meeting in New York City, the Book Industry Study Group looked at the biggest issues facing the publishing supply chain today, including returns, POD technology, and millennial consumers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Debut novelist Adebayo Ayobami reveals how sickle cell disease inspired her book. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2018-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Unit sales of traditionally published ebooks fell 10% in 2017, compared to 2016, according to figures released by PubTrack Digital, part of the NPD book group. The service tracks sales from roughly 450 publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gail Honeyman’s début continues to remain completely fine at the top of the Weekly E-Ranking. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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