'Nobody in Tesco buys spy books by women': how female authors took on the genre

Publishing’s long established boys’ club in espionage fiction is having its cover blown by a new school led by Stella Rimington, Manda Scott and Charlotte PhilbyWhen Stella Rimington, the former director general of MI5 and spy author, wrote a new foreword last year to The Spy’s Bedside Book, Graham Greene and his brother Hugh’s 1957 anthology , she was glowingly complimentary. She had just one complaint. “After everything we have done for spying, there is, apart from the obligatory reference to Mata Hari, hardly anything in this book about women!” she wrote.The Greene brothers aren’t alone in their short sight. Wikipedia lists 127 notable writers of spy fiction, dead and living, and only seven of them are women. (Rimington is one of them.) Pick any list of the best spy novels, and it will usually be peopled only by male writers such as John le Carré, John Buchan, Rudyard Kipling, Erskine Childers, Joseph Conrad, Len Deighton, Ian Fleming, Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum.Publishing has become much more gender-blind – before it was: ‘Only blokes can write this’ Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-01-07 09:00:54 UTC ]
News tagged with: #male writers #rudyard kipling #joseph conrad #ian fleming #tom clancy #anthology

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Vince crowned first female solo winner of Winton Science prize

The Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books has crowned its first ever female solo winner in Gaia Vince for her close-up look at pressing ecological issues facing the planet. Vince’s Adventures in the Anthropocene (Chatto & Windus) was given the £25,000 science prize at a ceremony... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #gaia vince #science books #ceremony hosted #shortlisted titles


PW Picks: Books of the Week, September 28, 2015

This week: Paul Theroux goes south, Ruth Reichl gets cooking, Leigh Bardugo kicks off a new series, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paul theroux #ruth reichl


What Hot Titles U.S. Agents will Be Taking to the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair

Among the titles expected to draw lots of interest are Anna Quindlen’s new novel, two projects by Karl Ove Knausgaard, an examination of artificial intelligence, and a look back by Cindy Crawford. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Kepler's Books Returned to Profitability

Kepler’s bookstore, once on the brink of closing for good, just celebrated its 60th anniversary. Its revival reveals some secrets about how bookstores might work in the future. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German Book Trade Says #RefugeesWelcome

As the refugee crisis continues and the number of refugees coming into Europe rises, the German book trade has responded with offers of help. The post German Book Trade Says #RefugeesWelcome appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Little Book Distributor That Could

Small Press Distribution has carved out an important role in the distribution landscape, filling spaces overlooked by the bigger players through its commitment to independent and small presses. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book distributor #important role #distribution landscape #small presses


A manifesto for a digital book platform

"The future of the book business will certainly be unveiled on a digital platform." Even as some believe that ebooks' progress has been staggered by a retreat to print, Trajectory c.e.o. and co-founder Jim Bryant is undaunted in his vision for the primacy of "relevancy and discovery" inherent in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book business #digital platform


After Oyster, What's Next for E-Book Subscriptions?

The shuttering of Oyster, "the Netflix of books," raises questions about the sustainability of the ebook subscription model. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-book subscriptions #raises questions


Yes, There Have Always Been Great Women Crime Writers

Editor Sarah Weinman talks about her new Library of America anthology "Women Crime Writers: Eight Suspense of the Novels of the 1940s and ‘50s." The post Yes, There Have Always Been Great Women Crime Writers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Faster Is Better in Book Distribution

Book distributors are adding warehouse space and upgrades to shave delivery time to bookstores. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Last chance to book children’s conference tickets

The children’s publishing world has only 24 hours left to book tickets to this year’s Bookseller children’s conference, which is taking place next Tuesday (29th September). The day, themed around the idea of growing the children’s market by invention and reinvention, covers four key areas:... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of September 28, 2015

Blue Rider nabs a collection of humorous essays from Annabelle Gurwitch, Amazon’s 47 North buys an urban fantasy series from Sarah Fine, Harlequin signs Gena Showalter, and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How A Quiet, Failed Comic Book Artist Conquered Hollywood's Nightlife Scene

Franki Chan was once unemployed and broke. Today, his IHEARTCOMIX empire works with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Skrillex.Franki Chan is an unlikely nightlife king. Now in his late 30s and softspoken, his big professional ambition earlier in life was to work as a comic book artist. But... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When Acquiring Debut Authors, Ask If They Can Compete

Lauren Parsons of Legend Press says that when acquiring a debut author for a UK list, one needs to believe the book can compete with the established brands. The post When Acquiring Debut Authors, Ask If They Can Compete appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #compete appeared #legend press #debut author #established brands


Campbell in 100-poem-challenge for Book Bus

Jen Campbell, author of Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops and The Bookshop Book, bookseller and YouTuber, has pledged to write 100 poems in 48 hours to fundraise for the Book Bus, a charity that serves communities in Africa, Asia and South America with mobile libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #jen campbell #bookshop book #south america #mobile libraries


New cookbook from Persiana author Sabrina Ghayour

Sabrina Ghayour, author of Persiana (Mitchell Beazley), is to publish a new cookbook bringing the "tastes of the East to Western-style dishes". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Solomon and Ross to speak at Bookseller's first Author Day

Nicola Solomon, chief executive of the Society of Authors (pictured), and Orna Ross, founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, are among more than 30 speakers lined up to speak to authors and publishers at The Bookseller’s first ever Author Day, launched as part of suite of events in the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nicola solomon #orna ross #independent authors #author day


Brooklyn Book Festival in Photos

Readers, authors, and publishers gathered together at Brooklyn Borough Hall in New York City on September 19 and 20 for the 10th annual Brooklyn Book Festival, featuring programs for both children and adults. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amy Schumer confirms book deal with a tweet

After speculation on Wednesday that Amy Schumer was planning to write an autobiography for a mega buck sum, the 34-year old comic has confirmed the deal with a simple tweet.  Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 24, 2015: Fr. Michael Collins

Fr. Michael Collins, author of 'Pope Francis: A Photographic Portrait of the People's Pope' (DK, 9781465439833), will appear on WNYW-TV FOX 5's 'Good Day, New York' on Friday, September 25. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pope francis #good day