On eve of Costa awards, experts warn that top books prizes are harming fiction

The dominance of three honours in the UK can be prohibitively expensive for small publishers, and end up discouraging risk-taking on ‘difficult’ authorsCutting-edge British literary fiction risks being undermined by its growing reliance on a handful of powerful book prizes, a leading literary agent has warned. But the associated costs of entering the biggest awards mean independent publishers willing to take risks on “difficult” works without obvious marketing potential are being shut out of contention.The warnings, from Jonny Geller of Curtis Brown, come as the Costa book of the year judges prepare to announce the shortlist for the £30,000 award. He said: “Literary fiction is under threat in this country due to a combination of factors – reluctance by major houses to take risks; a bottleneck in the distribution chain [and] diverse voices being ignored by a predominantly white, middle-class industry.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2017-01-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #curtis brown #costa book #literary fiction #major houses #diverse voices #predominantly white

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'Hungry Girl Diet' Tops Amazon a Month Before Pub

The upswing in preorders followed a promotional email sent by St. Martin's to the Hungry Girl subscriber list of 1.2 million. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chalice Press Acquires Book by Minister Defrocked for Marrying Gay Son

Chalice Press has acquired a book by United Methodist pastor Frank Shaefer, who was defrocked in December for officiating at his gay son’s marriage six years ago. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #chalice press


AWP 2014: Relaxed Atmosphere at the Book Fair

Publishers and conference attendees described a relaxed atmosphere at this year's Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference, held in Seattle from February 26-March 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fair


Artist's spoof Ladybird book provokes wrath of Penguin

Publisher tells Miriam Elia to stop selling satire in which Peter and Jane grapple with Tracey Emin-style conceptual artAn artist and comedian has been told by the publisher Penguin that her new satirical art book breaches its copyright, and if she continues to sell copies it could use the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tate modern


Book-Based Movies Hot

In February, social media chatter was dominated by films inspired by books—six of the top 10 most-discussed books have movie adaptations either in theaters or in the works. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'12 Years a Slave' will be distributed to schools as part of World Book Night

Special World Book Night copies of '12 Years a Slave' will be made available to schools. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Humble Bundle Looks to Add E-books

While video-game players are familiar with the gaming site Humble Bundle, ebook readers will hear a lot more about it in the coming months. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #humble bundle #ebook readers #coming months


Podcast: Apple Looking To Buy Time In E-Book Case

In a federal courtroom in Manhattan, attorneys for Apple in its ebook price-fixing case are offering up lessons in creative legal maneuvering. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #buy time #e-book case


Usborne, Nosy Crow, Summersdale winners at Independent Publishing Awards

Children's publishers Usborne Publishing and Nosy Crow won two awards each at tonight's (... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, March 3, 2014

This week, a dangerous game in small-town America, a book that will get you obsessed with dinosaurs, and an extreme survival camp. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chapter 2 Books Stays Open After All

Chapter 2 Books in Hudson, Wis., signed the lease Tuesday on a larger retail space, less than a week before it must vacate its current location. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Appeal: Judge Botched E-book Case

Apple’s appeal of its price-fixing case boils down to this: Judge Denise Cote blew it. "The evidence," Apple argues, "cannot support a finding of a conspiracy." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #apple argues


Mosse reveals plans for Baileys Women's Prize

Celebrating great writing by women and taking it to a wider audience than ever before are the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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You Can Help Make One of the Biggest Indie Photo Books Ever

Mossless has put out just two issues of its magazine, and for its third issue, the new photography publishing outfit is putting out a book--a very large book. With 550 photographs by more than 100 American photographers, it will fill more than 280 pages. It might be the largest independent... Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independents vie for regional crowns at Bookseller Industry Awards

Thirty-eight stores earned a spot on the regional shortlists and are in the running to be The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Does Winning a Literary Award Lead to Negative Reviews?

A new study reports that after a book wins an award its social media ratings tend to dip. The Guardian explains why. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #negative reviews


New Light on Lent: Books Help Readers See Anew

During the Lenten season Christians are urged to more deliberately contemplate Christ’s suffering and death. But traditional observances, such as penance and fasting, all too often produce dour expressions instead of spiritual fruits. Three new books hope to resurrect the joyful side of this... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, February 2014

Jim Martin's book about Jesus gets a starred review; Kerry Weber's first book takes mercy to the streets. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #forthcoming religion #spirituality books #starred review


Accidental Book and Movie Tie-In Brings Monumental Sales

Cara Putman didn’t plan on her new book sharing Amazon and Twitter space with George Clooney, but she and her publisher aren’t saying no. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #movie tie-


Fifty Shades Trilogy Tops 100M Sold

As of this week, E.L. James's Fifty Shades trilogy has sold 100 million copies worldwide, and has spent 100 weeks on the "New York Times" bestseller list. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bestseller list