Nobel prize winners and stocking fillers – 65 years in the murky waters of London publishing

Ernest Hecht set up Souvenir Press from his bedroom in 1951. Now, following the death of Lord Weidenfeld, he is the last of the group of remarkable Jewish émigrés who transformed postwar British publishingA 65th birthday is a milestone but – now the official retirement age has been abolished – not that big a deal. A medium to large company celebrating 65 years in business is just looking for cheap publicity. But a one-man band of a company that has lasted 65 years? It’s a business in which it’s now thought only sprawling megacorps can possibly survive.And yet, still swimming merrily in the murky waters of London publishing, there amid the whales, sharks and giant squid, is this totally improbable tiddler: Souvenir Press, founded in 1951 by 21-year-old Ernest Hecht in his bedroom in Bayswater, London; still run in 2016 by 86-year-old Ernest Hecht OBE from his charmingly dotty HQ opposite the British Museum, where it has been for the past 42 years. It is an extraordinary story, to put it mildly. Related: Jewish community mark 75th anniversary of Kindertransport Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #lord weidenfeld #ernest hecht #british museum #extraordinary story

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At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist

The International Booker Prize shortlist again this year is announced at London Book Fair. The post At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-19 03:27:08 UTC ]
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French publisher arrested in London on terrorism charge

Ernest Moret was stopped at rail station and taken into custody, where he was questioned about his participation in French protests A French publisher has been arrested on terror charges in London after being questioned by UK police about participating in anti-government protests in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-18 19:37:22 UTC ]
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UK publishing industry reports record-breaking year in 2022

There were 669m physical books sold in the UK last year, according to new figures from the Publishers AssociationThe UK publishing industry had a “record-breaking year” in 2022, with a total income of £6.9bn.A Year in Publishing, a look at the state of the book market by trade body the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-17 11:26:08 UTC ]
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Emirates Publishers Association at London Book Fair: Seven Presses Ready for Rights Meetings

The Emirates Publishers Association's member presses have had 'hundreds of works translated into 27 languages,' says Rashid Al Kous. (Sponsored) The post Emirates Publishers Association at London Book Fair: Seven Presses Ready for Rights Meetings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-14 12:55:15 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events

The Geneva-based International Publishers Association is represented by speakers in a number of London Book Fair events. The post London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-31 19:43:11 UTC ]
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Nobel Prize-Winning Author Kenzaburo Oe Has Died at 88

Kenzaburō Ōe, the Nobel Prize-winning Japanese novelist known for his fiction addressing social and political issues, has passed away at 88. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-13 16:17:07 UTC ]
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Haruki Murakami’s first novel in six years will be published this spring.

It’s true: a new Haruki Murakami novel—his first since 2017’s Killing Commendatore—will be published on April 13th . . . but only in Japan. Sorry to tease you, English-speaking readers! Still, not to fret: I’m sure this means that translations are forthcoming. In the meantime, here’s everything... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-02 15:32:49 UTC ]
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The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners

The German Audiobook Prize opens the Lit.Cologne festival with new 2023 honors in seven categories including 'Best Radio Play.' The post The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-01 12:52:23 UTC ]
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Roald Dahl collection to be published in original form later this year

Publisher Penguin Random House announced Friday it will publish "classic" versions of Roald Dahl's children's novels after it received criticism for cuts and rewrites that were intended to make the books suitable for modern readers. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-02-24 14:35:12 UTC ]
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Here are the winners of the first Albertine Translation Prize.

At a ceremony in New York on Thursday, Villa Albertine announced the winners of the first Albertine Translation Prize, which honors “the best contemporary French literature in English translation,” as selected by a committee of independent professional experts. “Together with the authors and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-27 16:48:28 UTC ]
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Book Publishers Face a Challenging Year Ahead

Following a down year for print book sales, NPD Group's publishing industry analyst, Kristen McLean, predicts that 2023 will be a year of transition for the publishing industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-27 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Exact Editions To Showcase IPG Publishers’ Books at London Book Fair

Publishers exhibiting with IPG at London Book Fair will be able to have a 'shelf' in Exact Editions' digital showcase and 'reading room.' The post Exact Editions To Showcase IPG Publishers’ Books at London Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-09 06:00:48 UTC ]
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Indie Comics Publishers Face Year-End Financial Troubles

The end of the year has produced a spike in financial troubles that include at least four independent comics publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Agate Publishing's 20-Year Commitment to Diversity

Publisher Doug Seibold’s personal and professional goals haven’t changed since he incorporated his company in Illinois in the fall of 2002: he Seibold wants to publish books that he is passionate about and that fill a niche, and he wants to make the industry more inclusive. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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London’s Al Saqi Bookstore Is Closing, Ending a 44-Year Run

A prized center of Arabic language, culture, and literature in London is closing amid mounting economic and post-Brexit challenges. The post London’s Al Saqi Bookstore Is Closing, Ending a 44-Year Run appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-12-06 02:05:02 UTC ]
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Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing

From book fair stands to support for diversity and accessibility, Livres Canada Books is celebrating 50 years of key support for the Canadian book industry. (Sponsored) The post Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-15 15:02:21 UTC ]
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Richard Charkin in London: An Updated A-Z of Trade Publishing

Updating his first Publishing Perspectives column published four years ago, Richard Charkin offers a fresh look at trade book publishing. The post Richard Charkin in London: An Updated A-Z of Trade Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-07 16:59:43 UTC ]
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Booker prize winner urges people not to circulate pirated copies of his novel

Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka spent seven years writing The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, which won the prestigious award on Monday, and asks readers to honour the work put into itBooker prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka has asked people not to circulate pirated versions of his... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-21 13:11:21 UTC ]
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to publish memoir about her years in jail in Iran

The book, to be written with her husband Richard Ratcliffe, will detail her six years in prison and the campaign for her releaseNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who spent six years in jail in Iran, is to write a memoir with her husband Richard Ratcliffe.The book, which is currently untitled, will tell... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-18 09:45:58 UTC ]
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Sri Lankan Author Shehan Karunatilaka Named 2022 Booker Prize Winner

Her Majesty the Queen Consort presented the prize to Shelan Karunatilaka for 'The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida' in a ceremony on October 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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