The crisis in non-fiction publishing

When it comes to high-calibre non-fiction, risk-averse trade publishing houses are producing too many copycat ‘smart thinking’ books that promise more than they deliver. But praise should be given to the university pressesAmid the ambient wails of doom about the publishing industry, I’d like to enter a note of encouragement. The mainstream may be getting dumber by the day, but we are living in what looks like a golden age of publishing for, of all people, the university presses.At the moment, I don’t think there’s a trade publishing house producing high-calibre, serious non-fiction of the quality and variety of Yale University Press; and snapping at its heels are Harvard, Oxford, Princeton, Cambridge and Chicago. As the literary editor of a middlebrow news magazine I’m finding ever more of the reviews I commission are from such presses. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #non-fiction publishing #university presses #publishing industry #golden age #literary editor

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The crisis in non-fiction publishing'


Harriet Bourton to join Orion Fiction as publishing director

Harriet Bourton, editorial director at Transworld, is joining Orion Fiction as publishing director. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


'We need small presses': author launches new award to support fiction from small publishers

The Republic of Consciousness prize has been launched by novelist Neil Griffiths, who intends to ‘guilt trip’ bestselling authors into contributingThe award-winning novelist Neil Griffiths is launching a new literary prize celebrating the “small presses producing brilliant and brave literary... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #consciousness prize #small presses #author launches #small publishers #bestselling authors


What apps next? Publishers and developers embrace 'unprintable' fiction

Developers and authors explain how they are experimenting with technology to publish ‘unprintable’ books – including a love story told through Google street view and a prison break with swappable recipesPublisher Anna Gerber isn’t trying to kill off the printed book – she’d just like you to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing project #online bookstore #angry birds


Dalang Publishing: Introducing Indonesian Historical Fiction to the U.S.

An article in the Jakarta Globe looks at Lian Gouw, the founder and owner of Dalang Publishing, a two-person operation based in San Mateo, California. The post Dalang Publishing: Introducing Indonesian Historical Fiction to the U.S. appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Bonnier Publishing Fiction changes its name to Bonnier Zaffre

Bonnier Publishing Fiction is changing its name to Bonnier Zaffre, effective immediately. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bonnier zaffre #effective immediately


Restless Books’ Publisher Searches for Cuban Science Fiction

As the USA and Cuba reestablish diplomatic relations, literary relations are also flourishing: Restless Books will release a series of Cuban sci-fi books. The post Restless Books’ Publisher Searches for Cuban Science Fiction appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #restless books #literary relations


Franklin defends trade non-fiction publishing

Profile m.d. Andrew Franklin has defended UK trade publishers against criticism that they are not producing good non-fiction books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #andrew franklin


Non-fiction publishing in the UK is in fine health, actually

Contrary to Sam Leith’s complaints last week, commercial publishers continue to take risks, and put out great and original workIn his article last week, Sam Leith deplored the state of mainstream trade publishing, saying it was “getting dumber by the day”, in contrast to the university presses... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sam leith #university presses #golden age #profile books


Awards for Christian Fiction Honor Publishing Vets, New Authors

The Christy Awards for excellence in fiction were presented Monday at the Christian retail show in Orlando. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #christy awards


Walker to publish non-fiction series

Walker Books has acquired a children’s non-fiction series that helps children explore science, maths, politics and geography through football. The books are written by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton and the first, The Football Academy, will be published in hardback in September 2016. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #walker books #non-fiction series #alex bellos


Horobin to join Bonnier Publishing Fiction

James Horobin, previously group sales, marketing and publicity director at Simon & Schuster, is to join the recently launched Bonnier Publishing Fiction division as executive director with responsibility for sales and marketing. Horobin, who left S&S last month, will take up his new... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #james horobin #publicity director #simon schuster


West appointed deputy publisher for Sphere Fiction

Little, Brown Book Group has hired Maddie West as the new deputy publisher for its Sphere Fiction imprint, replacing Rebecca Saunders. West, who is currently editorial director at Atlantic imprint Corvus, will focus on publishing commercial women’s fiction for the list. Saunders, previously... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sphere fiction #deputy publisher #2nd february


September Publishing signs non-fiction titles

September Publishing has acquired a book by Sharon Blackie on Celtic woman and empowerment. Publisher Hannah MacDonald (pictured) acquired world English language rights to If Women Rose Rooted, Like Tress from Kirsty McLachlan at DGA Ltd. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #september publishing #kirsty mclachlan


Post-Crisis Publishing in Greece

UK Literary Scout Lucy Abrahams discusses the the post-crisis Greek publishing industry and issues surrounding book prices and a fixed price law. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Jerome made non-fiction publisher at HC

Natalie Jerome has been promoted to non-fiction publisher at HarperCollins, taking on the role... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #natalie jerome #non-fiction publisher


Fiction at ICRS: Awards to Celebrate while Publishers Trim Efforts

Even while publishers at the International Christian Retail Show celebrated top books in Christian fiction, publishing programs are being cut back in this crowded category. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #christian fiction #publishing programs #cut back #crowded category


Working-class fiction has been written out of publishing

Everyone is the poorer for publishers' widespread assumption that nobody wants to read about this part of societyI have spent the last 25 years selling and then publishing books, so I read with interest Melvyn Bragg's recent comments on working-class characters in fiction being stereotyped and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing books #recent comments #working class


How publishing fiction online launched the career of this young writer | Beth Reeks

Indie publishing via online writing communities and ebooks can provide valuable feedback, and even set you on the path to mainstream successNews that a quarter of the top 100 Kindle books on Amazon.com are from indie publishers doesn't surprise me. I started out writing online. Fed up with the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #twitter account #revolution afoot


Genre Fiction and Digital Publishing: A Marriage Made in Heaven

The continuing growth of digital publishing has put even more energy into the flourishing genres of SF, fantasy, mystery and romance publishing, says Wired. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #genre fiction #digital publishing #marriage made #continuing growth #romance publishing


Why Big Publishers Think Genre Fiction Like Sci-Fi Is the Future of E-Books

The future of book publishing is increasingly digital -- and increasingly tilted towards genre fiction.     Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2013-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #big publishers #genre fiction #book publishing