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 ]

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Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’

'Overall the books selling well' in the UK 'are not literary,' Arts Council England's commissioned report from the Canelo team announces. The post Arts Council England’s Alarm for Literary Fiction: ‘The Problem Is a Real One’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fun, fantasy and feminism forecast for 2018

Editors and agents are predicting a continued focus on empowering female-led narratives and diverse voices in children’s and YA books in 2018. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon Looks to Broaden Audience

Since its inception in 2014, BookCon has mainly drawn women in the 18 to 30-year-old age bracket, but organizer ReedPop is adding more programming for the 2018 event to attract readers interested in literary fiction, mystery/thriller, sci fi/fantasy and romance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt frenzy led by PFD and RCW

Peters Fraser + Dunlop (PFD) and Curtis Brown both sewed up 17 deals apiece in the latest edition of The Bookseller’s Rights Report, which covers the heavy trading months of August, September and October. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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FutureBook’s 2017 Triple Threat: Big Asks and Diverse Voices

Leading questions and an extensive three-tracked structure frame the programming of this year's FutureBook conference from The Bookseller team in London. The post FutureBook’s 2017 Triple Threat: Big Asks and Diverse Voices appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obituary: Brian Aldiss

Genre-bending author Brian Aldiss is remembered by his agent, Gordon Wise of Curtis Brown. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Curtis Brown leads the way in dealmaking as new lists thrive

The UK’s biggest literary agency, Curtis Brown, tops our rights league table for the first half of 2017, doubling the reported deals of the next biggest firm. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Henley reveals ACE's 'concerns for literary fiction'

Arts Council England is broadening its literature work, which has previously concentrated on areas such as poetry and translated literature, into a new emphasis on literary fiction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Curtis Brown buys Ed Victor Ltd

Curtis Brown has bought Ed Victor Ltd, following the passing of agent Ed Victor. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two UK Acquisitions: Curtis Brown and Victor Ltd., Ingram and NBNi

The US-based Ingram Publishing Services adds a UK distribution operation, while the late Ed Victor's agency list in London moves to Curtis Brown. The post Two UK Acquisitions: Curtis Brown and Victor Ltd., Ingram and NBNi appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Aussie Rules: Black Inc launches in the UK

Australian publisher Black Inc, which specialises in literary fiction and non-fiction, is to launch in the UK this September. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette and Curtis Brown lead dealmaking

Hachette, Hodder and Curtis Brown all once again top The Bookseller’s league tables in a second look at the British publishing rights deals landscape. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Shuts Down Tyrus Books, Relocates Howard Books

Tyrus Books, which published crime and literary fiction, is closing six months after S&S acquired its parent company, Adams Media, from F&W. Christian imprint Howard Books is being relocated to the publisher's New York City headquarters and losing its publisher in the move. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hannah Kent Rites third novel for Picador

Picador senior editor Sophie Jonathan has signed Hannah Kent’s as-yet-untitled third novel from Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing at London Book Fair: Literary Fiction, Suspense, Memoir

Amazon Publishing, the largest publisher of translations, will be at the London Book Fair with a rights list of suspense, memoir and literary titles. The post Amazon Publishing at London Book Fair: Literary Fiction, Suspense, Memoir appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues

At a time when literary fiction has a chance to illuminate the struggles and needs of many, the leading Arabic fiction prize's shortlist makes the point. The post The International Prize for Arabic Fiction’s Shortlist: Strong on Issues appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Germany’s ‘Future Publish’ at Leipzig; Faber’s Page and Europa’s Reynolds on Literature

Future Publish's program at Leipzig Book Fair includes a tour, as literary fiction and free speech intersect at conferences in the US and UK. The post Germany’s ‘Future Publish’ at Leipzig; Faber’s Page and Europa’s Reynolds on Literature appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber CEO speaks out after winning indie trade publisher of the year

Head of venerable press says his sector has important role in the defence of free speech and champions the revival of literary fiction and traditional booksFaber & Faber’s chief executive has called for publishers to oppose crackdowns on free speech and the rise of so-called fake news.... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Costa Book of the Year: Sebastian Barry celebrates second win

Sebastian Barry becomes the first novelist to win the prestigious Costa Book of the Year prize twice. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Costa Book of the Year: Sebastian Barry on second win

Sebastian Barry, who has won the Costa Book of the Year for a second time, tells the BBC that he dedicated the prize to his son, but reveals his children don't read his books. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2017-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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