Publisher defends diversity drive after Lionel Shriver's attack

Penguin Random House has responded to the novelist’s criticisms, saying it aims to ‘reflect the society in which we live’Lionel Shriver’s blistering assertion that, “drunk on virtue”, Penguin Random House is putting diversity ahead of literary excellence has been dismissed by the publisher, which said on Monday that “books shape our culture, and this should not be driven only by people who come from a narrow section of society”.Writing in the Spectator, Shriver took issue with an email sent by the publisher, which lays out its goal that by 2025, its authors and staff will reflect the diversity of UK society. The email said: “We want our authors and new colleagues to reflect the UK population taking into account ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social mobility and disability.” Related: Lionel Shriver: ‘Few writers are willing to put themselves on the line for free speech’ Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Lionel Shriver rubbishes plans for dedicated Year of Publishing Women

The novelist has called Kamila Shamsie’s campaign for a pledge to publish only female authors in 2018 ‘a ridiculous idea’Lionel Shriver has called her fellow novelist Kamila Shamsie’s suggestion of a year publishing only women “rubbish”.Shamsie made the provocative call last year, citing gender... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Women's literary prizes are 'problematic' says Lionel Shriver

Author Lionel Shriver has said literary prizes just for women are "problematic", while calling International Women's Day "creepy" at an event to mark the occasion. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Free Speech, Digital Piracy Headline AAP Annual Meeting

A collection of speakers at the Tuesday event discussed suppression of free speech in public schools, the protection of intellectual property, and how some educational software is now being crafted in the form of social media. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nothing sweet about A Birthday Cake for George Washington | Letters

Censorship is when a government or authority prevents someone from speaking or writing. When a business stops producing something because it is faulty, that is product recall (Book pulled over criticism of slavery depiction, 19 January).For those who think A Birthday Cake for George Washington... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At AAP Annual Meeting Speakers Tackle Technology, Free Speech

Three topics that publishers have been dealing with in recent years--technology, data, and free speech--were addressed in a series of lively presentations at the Association of American Publishers’ annual meeting. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Journalists back in the firing line as digital media struggles to protect its own

As it has become harder to censor individual journalists and independent teams, the intimidation, violence and imprisonment has increasedIn a rather dark hotel meeting room, halfway up a Swiss mountain, editors and publishers are having a heated debate about the freedom of the press. This is the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Supreme court to rule whether ban on abuse memoir threatens free speech

Rights groups back challenge, claiming injunction on British performing artist’s book is serious risk to freedom of expressionA British performing artist who has been prevented from publishing his memoir as a result of legal action brought by his ex-wife is to ask the supreme court to overturn... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Smith, Shriver, Tremain up for BBC short story award

Writers Zadie Smith, Lionel Shriver and Rose Tremain join Tessa Hadley and Francesca Rhydderch on... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Commenting Conundrum

From the outside looking in, it may appear to non-newspaper folks that the industry is abandoning some of its principles—free speech, open conversation, introspection, cynicism—by shuttering a feature of online publishing that& ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2014-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Outcry as Penguin India pulps 'alternative' history of Hindus

Novelist Arundhati Roy leads chorus of protest after publisher settles lawsuit brought by militant groupConservative activists in India have pledged to continue their campaign to purge bookshelves and schools of works they say are abusive to Hinduism, as a fierce row over a 700-page academic... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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I Wrote a Chick-Lit Novel

A week ago, Salon.com published an interview with the novelist Jeffrey Eugenides titled, “Jeffrey Eugenides: I don’t know why Jodi Picoult is belly-aching.” Eugenides was asked a question about gender bias in the publishing world (a topic about which Picoult, along with other novelists like... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2012-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Briefcase 2012: What the American Agencies Are Bringing to the Fair

At this year’s publishing pow-wow in Germany: John Banville channels Raymond Chandler; Daniel Woodrell explores a 1929 American bombing; Michael Pollan gets elemental; Elif Batuman tries fiction; and Lionel Shriver goes to Iowa. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book review: 'The New Republic' by Lionel Shriver

Lionel Shriver deftly handles terrorism, politics and satire in 'The New Republic.'It takes guts to write a satire about terrorism — and Lionel Shriver has guts. She has already published biting novels about the failings of the U.S. healthcare system ("So Much for That") and a school shooter... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donoghue, Shriver and Miéville on Impac longlist

Publication Date: Mon, 07/11/2011 - 17:10 Emma Donoghue, Lionel Shriver and China Miéville are among the authors longlisted for the 2012 International Impac Dublin Literary Award, which saw 147 titles nominated by libraries around the world. With 20 nominations, Donoghue’s Room (Picador) was... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-11-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mamut: Waterstone’s ‘important for UK’

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Fri, 05/08/2011 - 14:25 Waterstone’s new owner Alexander Mamut has described the chain as “the last significant player in the UK” and claimed the bookseller’s continued existence was “important for UK society”. The publicity-shy billionaire was... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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