Morality clauses: are publishers right to police writers?

Offensive opinions. Bullying. Sexual misconduct. As the literary world is rocked by scandal US publishers are asking authors to sign contracts with ‘morality clauses’. Are they really the answer?When the American Libraries Association awards its Andrew Carnegie medals in New Orleans later this month, there will be no winner for excellence in non-fiction. Sherman Alexie, the poet and novelist who was due to receive it for a memoir, You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, has declined the award following allegations of sexual harassment.Last month, the novelist Junot Díaz withdrew from the Sydney writers’ festival and from chairing the Pulitzer prize board after being confronted by his own accusers. As the allegations swept through social media, another writer, Mary Karr, joined the fray, tweeting of her distress that her testimony to DT Max, the biographer of her one-time partner David Foster Wallace, about Foster Wallace’s abusive behaviour had been marginalised. “Deeply saddened by the allegations against #JunotDiaz & I support every woman brave enough to speak. The violence #DavidFosterWallace inflicted on me as a single mom was ignored by his biographer & @NewYorker as ‘alleged’ despite my having letters in his hand,” she wrote.Marina Warner warned that 'being good' should not be conflated with 'good writing'. But where is that line drawn?One UK literary agent says: 'Are [morality clauses] here? Probably not. Are they coming? Most definitely.'Will wonderful writers... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #abusive behaviour #deeply saddened #single mom

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LBF: UK Publishing’s Impact Worth £11 Billion, New Report

'We ask politicians on all sides to recognize the publishing industry’s economic value,' says the Publishers Association's Dan Conway. The post LBF: UK Publishing’s Impact Worth £11 Billion, New Report appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-03-12 03:55:23 UTC ]
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I didn’t get the credit for my bestselling book: the secret life of the celebrity ghost writer

There’s nothing quite like finding six new releases on display in a bookstore – all of which you’ve written, and none of which has your name on itA few years back, a long-held dream of mine came true: a book I wrote became a runaway hit.You’ve probably read the book. You’ve definitely seen the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-03-11 14:00:31 UTC ]
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Three Questions You Need to Answer as a Children’s Book Writer

One of my duties every single day as an author, journalist, and constituent, is to read. I study the written word the way a football coach studies football games. I don’t read for pleasure just like a football coach doesn’t attend games to zone out. As much as I’d like to avoid it, I have […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-03-11 11:48:51 UTC ]
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Rizzoli International to Launch U.K. Publishing Arm

The London-based Rizzoli UK will be headed up by Stephen King, who has been appointed managing director. The new business will also develop original titles to be published under the Rizzoli Universe imprint. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-03-07 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Three Publishing Veterans Form a New House, Authors Equity

Madeline McIntosh, Nina von Moltke, and Don Weisberg—most recently at Penguin Random House US and Macmillan, respectively—have joined forces to form a new publishing company. As its name implies, the publisher will operate outside of traditional publishing business models. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-03-05 05:00:00 UTC ]
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RuPaul has launched an online bookshop that will share its profits with writers.

There’s a new online bookstore in town—and this time it’s helmed by RuPaul. Yes, that RuPaul. (Reading being, after all, fundamental.) Allstora, announced today*, is a membership-based bookstore that offers a profit-split to authors. RuPaul serves as Allstora’s Chief Creative Officer and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-03-04 16:45:28 UTC ]
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When Indie Publishing Meets Corporate Bookselling

In 2022 my first novel, Save the Village, found its home with Regal House, a mighty little woman-owned traditional independent publisher that prints all its books in the US and has a nonprofit division that works with underserved students around Raleigh, where they’re headquartered. Regal House,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-03-04 09:53:54 UTC ]
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An indie publisher finds its future – with a public library

Angel City Press in Los Angeles has long published local authors. In a bold move, its founders are now giving the press to the city’s public library. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2024-02-28 15:49:05 UTC ]
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Atria Launches New Bilingual Imprint, Primero Sueño, as S&S Ramps Up Latino Publishing

Atria Books will launch a new imprint, Primero Sueño Press, dedicated to publishing Latinx/Latine/Hispanic authors in both English and Spanish. Michelle Herrera Mulligan, v-p and associate publisher at Atria, will lead the imprint. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Microcosm's Cloud-Based Software Aims to Help Indie Publishers Automate Tasks

Portland, Ore.’s Microcosm Publishing is rolling out WorkingLit, a cloud-based system intended to help small independent publishers streamline their product databases, manage orders, complete accounting and invoicing tasks, and calculate royalties. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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With the Novel Prize, Three Anglophone Publishers Team to Champion Innovative Fiction

The biennial Novel Prize comes with a $10,000 purse and simultaneous publication in North America, by New Directions; the U.K. and Ireland, by Fitzcarraldo; and Australia and New Zealand, by Giramondo. In a twist, this year, the three publishers crowned two winners. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
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UK: The Sunday Times Young Writer 2024 Shortlist

Praising 'their attentiveness to the world,' the 2024 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year jury names four authors to its shortlist. The post UK: The Sunday Times Young Writer 2024 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-02-27 17:20:22 UTC ]
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U.K. Publishing Spotlight: Neem Tree's CEO Surveys the Indie Scene

An independent publisher considers the challenges and opportunities for small presses in her home market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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U.K. Publishing Spotlight: How Covid Fostered DK's Transatlantic Collaboration

The CEO of DK U.K. explains how the shift to remote work provided a vital connection to the U.S. and introduced new practices that helped grow sales by 20%. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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U.K. Publishing Spotlight: Michael O'Mara's Many Roads to the U.S.

Michael O'Mara's U.S. sales and marketing director describes the company’s strategies for engaging the U.S. market, which includes mining a niche for books about the royal family. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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U.K. Publishing Spotlight: Usborne Builds on Its Founder's Legacy

The managing director of Usborne Publishing reflects on the legacy of her father, the company’s founder, who died last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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U.K. Publishing Spotlight: Severn House Evolves

At 50, the U.K. press is growing its list and expanding into new formats, all while keeping a sharp focus on libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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