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

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Desmond Elliott prize reminds us that authors need long-term support'


Tara Dorabji Wins S&S's Books Like Us First Novel Prize

As the winner of the second annual Books Like Us First Novel Prize, Dorabji will receive a $50,000 book deal with Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #annual books #simon schuster #book deal #first novel


Rachel Howzell Hall, George Saunders, James Hannaham among L.A. Times Book Prize finalists

The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes recognize works in 12 categories, with winners to be announced at USC in person on April 21. James Ellroy will receive a lifetime achievement prize. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-22 15:00:07 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #george saunders #james ellroy #times book


The Morning After: The Kindle Store’s hottest new author is ChatGPT

According to a report from Reuters, ChatGPT is listed as the author or co-author of at least 200 books on Amazon’s Kindle Store. However, the number of bot-written books is likely higher than that since Amazon’s policies don’t require authors to disclose their use of AI.Brett Schickler published... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-02-22 12:20:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #streaming service #proposed takeover #activision blizzard #markets authority #substantial lessening #strong position #growing segment #publishing division #children’s book #kindle


New Publisher Sibylline Press Celebrates Women Authors Over 50

Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West, the publisher will release six new books this fall, and plans to publish twelve books a year starting in 2024. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #year starting


To Dine For Podcast: Journalist and Author Mary Calvi

On this week's episode of To Dine For, host Kate Sullivan welcomes Mary Calvi, Emmy-winning reporter and anchor at WCBS in New York City. Calvi is also the author of two historical fiction novels, including Dear George, Dear Mary: A Novel of George Washington's First Love. She has recently been... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2023-02-21 21:48:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #george washington #historical fiction


The Kindle Store has a prolific new author: ChatGPT

ChatGPT is listed as the author or co-author of at least 200 books on Amazon’s Kindle Store, according to Reuters. However, the actual number of bot-written books is likely much higher than that since Amazon’s policies don’t explicitly require authors to disclose their use of AI. It’s the latest... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-02-21 20:30:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #source material #children’s book #kindle


Wi2023: Long-Awaited Reunions and New Acquaintances in Seattle

The American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute conference convened in Seattle, the first such event since 2020. Four days of events began with city-wide bookstore tours, a meeting of independent publishers and networking receptions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #independent publishers #bookstore


Vote now for the new name of the Booker Prize trophy (Iris, obvs). 

Now’s your chance to play a small part in literary history by helping to choose the name for the Booker Prize trophy. The elegant statuette, designed in 1969 by children’s book illustrator Jan Pieńkowski, appears to be a fleetingly clad woman holding a large bowl of porter over her head. For... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-02-15 15:16:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #small part #literary history #children’s book


Reykjavik International Literary Festival Names Guest Authors

The 16th edition of Iceland's biennial Reykjavik International Literary Festival has announced its 2023 lineup of authors. The post Reykjavik International Literary Festival Names Guest Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-15 08:10:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary festival


Here are the finalists for the $50,000 Gotham Book Prize.

Today, the Gotham Book Prize, an annual award that began during the first year of the pandemic to honor and support the best writing about New York City, announced its eleven 2023 finalists. “There’s no other city that has the diversity, vibrancy, and culture of New York, and the Gotham Book... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-02-13 17:56:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #annual award #book prize


7 Long-Awaited Follow Ups to Beloved Books

The last few months have been an exciting time in the world of publishing, not only for the litany of debut novel and short story collection releases, but also for the publication of two long gestating, highly anticipated projects by Cormac McCarthy and Katherine Dunn. The 89-year old’s first... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-02-10 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #exciting time #cormac mccarthy #katherine dunn #electric literature #pulitzer prize #debut novel


Jean Anderson, 93, Exacting and Encyclopedic Cookbook Author, Dies

Her 1,300-page “Doubleday Cookbook” was a rival to “The Joy of Cooking,” and her rigorously tested recipes taught generations of home cooks. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-02-09 22:37:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #home cooks #cookbook


That long-promised, official Barbra Streisand memoir is finally getting published

'My Name Is Barbra,' the memoir that superstar Barbra Streisand said she's been working on for more than a decade, will be published this fall. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-08 20:02:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #memoir


At times, 'Knock at the Cabin' made the book's author want to 'run out of the theater'

While Paul Tremblay is a fan of M. Night Shyamalan's take on his novel 'The Cabin at the End of the World,' he's still chewing over the film's 'way darker' ending. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-08 14:00:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #paul tremblay #night shyamalan


Women’s prize to launch annual award for women’s non-fiction writing

The Women’s Prize Trust hopes to make the first award in 2024, after research showed female writers were far less likely than men to be reviewed or win prizes The Women’s prize is to launch a non-fiction award to sit alongside its long-running fiction prize, in response to research that found... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-08 08:00:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #non-fiction writing #book prize #win prizes #sit alongside #male counterparts #awarded annually #female writers #charity set #literary agent


German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions

With its seven jurors named, the 2023 German Book Prize in fiction has opened its submission period to publishers, through March 22. The post German Book Prize Names Its Jury, Opens Submissions appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-07 13:44:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opens submissions #german book #book prize


Choosing Words Carefully: PW Talks to Bryan A. Garner, Author of 'Garner’s Modern English Usage'

PW caught up with the famous lexicographer to talk about the recently published Fifth Edition of his essential guide—and his lifelong fascination with the English language. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pw caught #recently published #english language


Authors Guild Says Alleged 'Predatory' Press Has Settled Suit Over Rights, Unpaid Royatlies

Filed on January 6, the complaint claimed that Authors’ Place Press and its owner, Tony Ferraro, had failed to fulfill their contractual obligations and to pay or properly account for royalties. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-05 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors guild #place press #contractual obligations #properly account


Children's book by Quebec author on gender, identity targeted by complaints in U.S. town

A library in the U.S. is dealing with complaints about a children's book from a Quebec author that deals with sexual and gender diversity. Parents have asked that the book be removed from the library shelves. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-02-03 09:00:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #library shelves #children's book


An Author’s Thank You to Gina Centrello

Author Lorenzo Carcaterra looks back at nearly a quarter century working with the retired Random House editor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-03 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #gina centrello #random house