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

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Art of the Publisher by Roberto Calasso review – a timely insight into the identity of a publishing house'


Amazon vs Hachette: readers and authors take sides in publishing dispute

The tussle between Amazon and the publishing conglomerate has been raging since spring. Heres an update on the fightA corporate boxing match broke from the ring and swelled into all-out rumpus last weekend, as readers and authors took sides in Amazon and Hachettes fight over the publishing... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online retailer #contract negotiations #giant corporations #lower price


In China, You Don’t Need a Publisher to Rake in the Big Yuan

China's self-publishing portals are offering writers access to vast audiences and earning them staggering royalties, and turning some into multi-millionaires. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Marlboro Boy And Fat Ronald: The Brand-Jamming Art Of Ron English

Ron English, famous for his colorful statements on consumer culture, talks about reverse shoplifting, and making marketing even more egregious.Portland artist Ron English has spent his career lampooning some of America's top brands, and he's got the cease-and-desist letters to prove it.... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-08-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #top brands #greatest hits #mickey mouse


Canongate to publish Guantánamo memoir

Canongate has acquired an account of life at Guantanamo Bay by one of its prisoners, Mohamedou... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Self-publishing becomes larger focus at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair will organize a two-day self-publishing and author program at the 2014 fair this year, aimed at an international audience. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international audience


Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, August 13, 2014

Molly Phinney Baskette tells the story of her congregation's revival; the message of Jesus has been diluted, argues Benjamin L. Corey. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #forthcoming religion #spirituality books


Fall Regionals 2014: A Time for Discovery

Over the past few years, some regional booksellers associations have moved away from holding fall trade shows in favor of onferences or forums to reflect a greater emphasis on authors and education. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #greater emphasis


Copyright Changes Hit Canadian Publishers Hard

When the Canadian Copyright Modernization Act was passed in 2012, publishing associations were happy with certain aspects of the legislation, including its antipiracy measures. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Eoin Purcell to head Amazon Publishing UK

Eoin Purcell, formerly editorial director of New Island Books in Dublin, has been appointed to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #eoin purcell #island books


Review: Out of Print, a Film by Vivienne Roumani

Out of Print, the film documentary by Vivienne Roumani about the state-of-affairs in the book business and the culture of reading in America circa 2013, is worth seeking out. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book business


Bestselling authors take out full-page New York Times ad against Amazon

Stephen King and Donna Tartt among those petitioning Amazon to 'stop harming the livelihood of the authors'Readers of the New York Times will have to steel themselves this weekend, as the unseemly brawl between Hachette and Amazon erupts on to the tranquil pages of the Grey Lady. Perhaps the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #latest salvo #james patterson #years ahead


Comics Publishers Lure Bestselling Book Authors

Bestselling authors George R.R. Martin and Chuck Palahniuk and director Quentin Tarantino, along with their respective comics publishers Avatar Press, Dark Horse, and Dynamite Entertainment, generated a lot of attention at the recent Comic-Con International about their forthcoming comics projects. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #chuck palahniuk #dark horse #dynamite entertainment


Amazon Publishing Expands

Amazon has made new additions to its publishing teams in the company's New York and London offices. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing teams #london offices


Publisher defends Dahl book cover

Penguin has defended its decision to use an image of a doll-like young girl on the cover of a new edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #young girl #chocolate factory


Why Are Publishers Still Warehousing and Fulfilling Books?

Veteran publishing consultant Bruce Harris advises publishers to get out of warehousing and fulfillment and into their own branded bookstores. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Publishing Technology revenues drop in second quarter

Publishing Technology’s profit and revenue have been significantly hit in the second... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing technology


Ronnen Named Publisher of Artisan

Lia Ronnen has been appointed publisher of Workman imprint, Artisan. Ronnen replaces Ann Bramson, who will now acquire books across Workman imprints in the newly created role of executive director, special projects. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #appointed publisher #acquire books #special projects


New York Times Tones Down Labeling on Its Sponsored Posts

The New York Times has shrunk the labels that distinguish articles bought by advertisers from articles generated in its newsroom and made the language in the labels less explicit.The Times became only the latest online publisher to begin selling so-called native ads when it introduced its Paid... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #native ads #sponsored posts #draw readers


Newsquest's fate uncertain as Gannett spins off its publishing business

Just two weeks on from reporting a large increase in profits, Gannett has announced the splitting of its broadcast and publishing divisions into separate companies. It means that Gannett's British newspaper outfit, Newsquest, will find itself as part of the publishing arm and, quite possibly,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #large increase #publishing divisions #separate companies #publishing arm #gracia martore


Wikipedia Publishes First-Ever Transparency Report--And There's A Funny Story About A Monkey

Compared to Google and Facebook, Wikipedia is remarkably tight-lipped when it comes to requests for user data.Although Wikipedia is one of the largest websites in the world, it receives relatively few requests from government agencies for user information, especially compared to companies like... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #user data #government agencies #user information