The Desmond Elliott prize reminds us that authors need long-term support

With her prizewinning debut, Claire Fuller could be following in the footsteps of Ian Rankin and Hilary Mantel who found success with their later work – but only with the support of her publisherAs one of the judges for the Desmond Elliott prize for best debut novelist this year, I couldn’t help reflect on some of the challenges still to come for the authors. With three such accomplished novels on our shortlist, there was some hard talking in the judges’ room, but in the end we decided, by an honourable 2:1 vote, to award the prize to Claire Fuller for Our Endless Numbered Days. It is a dark and perfectly poised account of a survivalist father hiding out in a remote forest with his increasingly embattled daughter that recalls the early work of Ian McEwan in its brooding slow build to a dramatic climax. But nobody could dispute the literary skill evident in the other books on the shortlist: Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey and Carys Bray’s A Song for Issy Bradley.The vital thing now is that these writers are offered long-term support from their agents and publishers. The amount of publicity given to those first novels that become instant bestsellers distorts the reality for the majority of debut novelists, even very gifted ones: a moderate advance, a small amount of acclaim, a continuing battle to get their next book written and then published. This is the reality for authors who want a sustained career in books. Related: Desmond Elliott prize goes to Claire Fuller's... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #emma healey #carys bray #debut novelists #book written #sustained career

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Ukrainian Author Andrey Kurkov Among National Book Critics Circle Award Winners

A collection of fantastical short stories and a book of poems about escaping capitalist society were also among the 2022 winners. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-24 00:51:07 UTC ]
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Hoover Biographer Wins American History Book Prize

The New-York Historical Society award goes to Beverly Gage, whose “G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century” puts a notorious character in context. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-23 19:08:10 UTC ]
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Eric Brown, science fiction author and Guardian critic, dies aged 62

Writers, publishers and agents pay tribute to a warm, generous figure, author of more than 50 books ranging from SFF to crime to children’s literatureEric Brown, a prolific, award-winning author who published more than 50 novels, children’s books and short story collections, and who was the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-23 13:58:10 UTC ]
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This Aussie author had a book idea while ‘high as a kite’ after brain surgery.

She might not have written an entire book in one day, but Australian author Karina May has a pretty good, pretty sweat-smile story behind the rom-commy Duck à l’Orange for Breakfast, which comes out March 28 from Pan Macmillan Australia. First, you need to understand the plot: The novel centers... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-22 08:59:40 UTC ]
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Author Sim Kern Launches #TransRightsReadathon

More than 2,100 participants will spotlight books by trans authors and raise funds for trans rights organizations via TikTok and Instagram this week under the #TransRightsReadathon hashtag. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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I believed readers only wanted trauma stories from writers of colour. Then I became an author | Zoya Patel

For so long, it seemed that readers were only interested in the experiences of people like me if we were traumatised, not triumphant – and I internalised this as an indisputable factGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailI can’t pinpoint exactly when I started imagining myself in the stories... Continue reading at The Guardian

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Jailed in Egypt at 17, He Wrote to Survive and to Share His Long Ordeal

Sentenced as a teenager to 15 years for “unlawful assembly,” Abdelrahman ElGendy started recording the abuses of prison life. The idea of someday publishing his memoir gave him a reason to live. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-03-17 09:00:36 UTC ]
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With Budget Deadline Looming, Library Supporters Urge Congress to #FundLibraries

ALA officials are urging library advocates in every congressional district to ask their representatives to cosign letters in support of critical library programs. With an abbreviated process this year, the House deadline for signatures is March 20. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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“Everything is Riding on Your Author Photo.” Mary Childs on What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Book

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[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-13 08:54:19 UTC ]
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Why authors might want to pay to go on a podcast.

Gone are the days when you could write a book a chapter at a time and hook people in a slow, serial burn. Now, if the internet is to believed, one must amass 100,000 followers on social media before they can even be considered for a book deal (every writer ever: why would anyone follow […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-10 17:36:58 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Shortlists: Literature, Young Author, Criticism

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-10 16:05:15 UTC ]
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AWP23 in Seattle Showcases Presses, Journals, and Authors

The opening days of this year's Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference featured the presentation of its Small Press Publisher Award to Dzanc Books and a discussion between famed Seattle librarian and 'Book Lust' author Nancy Pearl with novelist Min Jin Lee. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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My Author Photo Brought Me Face to Face With the Body I Hated

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[ Literrary Hub | 2023-03-09 09:53:57 UTC ]
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Women’s health needs advocates against misinformation, says ob-gyn and author

Ob-gyn and best-selling author Dr. Jen Gunter is advocating for women's health education. She spoke to CBC's Michelle Eliot about how women can navigate health information online. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-03-08 22:24:00 UTC ]
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Ian Falconer, Children’s Book Author of OLIVIA, Dies at 63

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[ Book Riot | 2023-03-08 17:49:08 UTC ]
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The Issue-Driven Aspen Words Literary Prize: 2023 Shortlist

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-07 03:47:14 UTC ]
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Don’t write what you know, write what you feel: bestselling authors offer tips on World Book Day

Malorie Blackman advises budding authors to pick up on news stories, but Julia Donaldson warns of pitfalls – and Alan Moore says you should read terrible books as well as good onesThe key to being a good writer? It’s being a good reader, authors including Carol Ann Duffy and Alan Moore have said... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-02 15:43:52 UTC ]
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The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners

The German Audiobook Prize opens the Lit.Cologne festival with new 2023 honors in seven categories including 'Best Radio Play.' The post The German Audiobook Prize Names Its 2023 Winners appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-01 12:52:23 UTC ]
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Small Press Distribution Launches GoFundMe to Support New Operating Model

One of the few remaining distributors specializing in distributing independent publishers has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help underwrite a plan to close a warehouse, partner with other distributors, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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How to watch author Brendan Slocumb discuss 'The Violin Conspiracy'

In February the L.A. Times Book Club is reading "The Violin Conspiracy," a bestseller by musician and music teacher Brendan Slocumb. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

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