The Art of the Publisher by Roberto Calasso review – a timely insight into the identity of a publishing house

An important riposte to digital culture, these essays by the Italian publisher and author argue that a publisher’s list is a literary work in its own rightThis collection of essays by the Italian author and publisher Roberto Calasso, translated by Richard Dixon, is a paean to publishing. Calasso argues that the art of the publisher lies in nurturing a distinctive literary vision. Publishers like Kurt Wolff, who published authors such as Kafka and Robert Walser, understood that being a publisher was not just about marketing books but creating a “form”: all the books produced by a publisher are part of a “self-sufficient composition”. Blurbs, covers, layout, paper, typeface: all serve “to give form to a plurality of books as though they were the chapters of a single book”. In effect, the list of a publisher becomes a literary work in itself. But in an age of corporate mergers and digitisation, this is an endangered ideal.In part, these essays are memoirs of Calasso’s own experience creating the Biblioteca Adelphi and of the authors and publishers he has known. But what makes this slim text memorable is his sheer passion for books – not digital texts but physical objects, in which every part is designed to enhance the experience of reading. An important and timely book. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-02-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #single book #digital texts #physical objects #timely book

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Senate's 'torture report' will be published as a paperback aimed at a wide audience

Melville House will publish the Senate Intelligence Committee's 'Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Detention and Interrogation Program,' otherwise known as the 'torture report,' in paperback format by Dec. 30. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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MCB to publish Rowell’s Carry On in UK

Macmillan Children’s Books has confirmed it will publish Rainbow Rowell’s new title in the UK next year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Heinemann to publish long lost love letters

William Heinemann has acquired a “significant” collection of erotic letters from a young woman to her lover dating from the 1920s. Selina Walker, publisher at Century and Arrow, bought UK and Commonwealth (excluding Australia New Zealand) rights to the collection, edited by Jean Yves Berthault... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook Gives Publishers New Tools, Hopes They’ll Use Them to Give Facebook More Stuff

Facebook has been courting content companies for years because it wants content companies to bring more of their content to Facebook. Here’s a new example: A set of tools that will make it easier for publishers to share their stuff ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Igloo to publish Penguins of Madagascar books

Igloo Books is this month launching a series of books based on DreamWorks Animation’s new family film "Penguins of Madagascar". The range includes a book of the film, picture books, sound boards, various sticker and activity sets, and colouring books, and the company intends to “push ourselves... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What we learned about publishing in 2014

Here are five of the big publishing trends of 2014, and what we learned. The post What we learned about publishing in 2014 appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CIA Torture Report to be Published as Book

Melville House will publish 'The Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture' as a paperback and an ebook on December 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How fusty old Hearst is becoming a modern publisher

Six ways Hearst is tackling the gritty work of becoming a modern publisher. The post How fusty old Hearst is becoming a modern publisher appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Four Questions For...Other Press Publisher Judith Gurewich

PW talked to Other Press publisher Judith Gurewich, who picked up world English rights to a bestseller in France after a heated auction at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fogg appointed publishing director at HC

Cornerstone's Jack Fogg is joining HarperCollins in the newly-created role of publishing director for fiction and non-fiction. Fogg is currently editorial director at Cornerstone imprint Century, where he has worked with authors including Rod Stewart, James Corden, Tim Vine and Hugh Howey. He... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, December 10, 2014

New titles include a look at how the experience of Holocaust survivors has influenced the faith of their descendants. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What Facebook’s search feature means for brands, publishers

Facebook's new search feature will give users a more active role in media discovery, and likely change how brands and publishers use the platform. The post What Facebook’s search feature means for brands, publishers appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Short Takes: Religion Publishing News Briefs, December 10, 2014

Audio line debut for IVP; 2015 Grawemeyer winner announced; Target Holiday Book Club features Nelson book; Baker titles selected as best church resources; Puritan/Reformed publisher releases new Bible, books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ad Review: Why Poo-Pourri's Stinky Santa Belongs on the Nice List

Everyone poops.It's not just the name of a children's book by Taro Gomi, it's a simple fact of life. But it's not something you'd pick up if you watched toilet-related advertising. Take toilet paper, for example. If you were an alien anthropologist who sat through three decades of toilet paper... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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South African newspaper publisher considering £28m offer

Blackstar investment company wants to obtain full ownership of Times Media Group Continue reading... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Much Can You Fake in Publishing? From Clare Balding to Zoella

In the UK, Zoella was revealed to have used a ghostwriter, while Clare Balding's book cover clearly looks fake. How much of this is okay? The post How Much Can You Fake in Publishing? From Clare Balding to Zoella appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ANA Bot Report Reveals Unsettling Truth About Premium Publisher Inventory

A 60-day study conducted by the Association of National Advertisers and ad fraud detection company White Ops came to a conclusion likely to unsettle many digital ad buyers: purchasing ads from premium publishers does not protect marketers from fraud."Advertisers who assume that traffic to... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French publishers warned on ebook VAT rise

The French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’Edition, SNE) has warned its members that France may raise VAT on ebooks from 5.5% to the standard 20% during the first half of next year to avoid a fine of several million euros from the European Court of Justice, according to the trade... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Review: Eureka! Discovering Your Inner Scientist

If you are looking for an entertaining book that explores the nature of science, I recommend Chad Orzel's Eureka! Discovering Your Inner Scientist. The post Book Review: Eureka! Discovering Your Inner Scientist appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Durham Stepping Down at Amazon Publishing

Daphne Durham, publisher of adult trade and children's at Amazon Publishing, will be leaving the company on January 16, and will be succeeded by Mikyla Bruder, current head of global marketing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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