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 ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #9 Featuring Andrea Wang, Author of 'The Many Meanings of Meilan'

Wang is set to appear in conversation with Crystal Chen of the New York Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, September 6 at 1 PM ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Tess Gunty has won the inaugural Waterstones debut fiction prize.

Congratulations to Tess Gunty, whose critically acclaimed debut novel The Rabbit Hutch has just won the inaugural Waterstones debut fiction prize. The novel (about four teenagers—recently aged out of the state foster-care system—living together in an apartment building in the post-industrial... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-26 15:48:11 UTC ]
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Singapore Literature Prize: 15 Winners, Four Languages

In 12 categories, the 2022 biennial Singapore Literature Prize winners are drawn from 43 writers in Tamil, Malay, Chinese, and English. The post Singapore Literature Prize: 15 Winners, Four Languages appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-25 16:03:44 UTC ]
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Spain’s 2022 Desperate Literature Prize Goes to Jay Gao

The fifth iteration of the Madrid-based Desperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction sends its winner to an Umbrian retreat. The post Spain’s 2022 Desperate Literature Prize Goes to Jay Gao appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-23 20:51:55 UTC ]
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The German Book Prize Releases Its 20-Title Longlist

Drawn from a pool of 233 books, this year's longlist will lead to a winner named on October 17 at the Kaisersaal of the Römer in Frankfurt. The post The German Book Prize Releases Its 20-Title Longlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-23 14:35:52 UTC ]
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Poison pens: leading writers call for overhaul of UK’s Society of Authors

Literary world riven by conflict as trade union is accused of inappropriately taking sides in culture warIt is a literary row that threatens to consume the very organisation set up to protect authors’ rights. And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children’s books, it has... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-21 09:00:05 UTC ]
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Ali Hazelwood’s sort-of-secret life as a best-selling author

“Love Hypothesis” author Ali Hazelwood didn’t intend to keep her scientist identity separate from her author identity. She didn’t intend to become an author. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-20 12:00:22 UTC ]
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‘Animal Joy’ is a necessary reminder of laughter’s cathartic nature

Nuar Alsadir explores how all types of outburst can act as conduits to our animal nature, that vibrant essence unconstrained by social code. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-18 12:14:36 UTC ]
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From child gossip columnist to acclaimed author: K-Ming Chang’s search for the truth

The 24-year-old’s debut novel Bestiary gained plaudits in 2020. Now her love of fairy tales and queer literature has led to a collection of short storiesK-Ming Chang’s origins as a writer can be traced back to when she was approximately eight years old. At school in California, she would amuse... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-17 08:32:12 UTC ]
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‘More zeros than I’ve seen in my life’: the author who got a six-figure deal via ‘BookTok’

After she was dropped by her agent, Alex Aster turned to a books-obsessed corner of TikTok to gauge interest in her YA novel … and now Lightlark is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the yearHaving finally published her first novel, Alex Aster was feeling disheartened. The book had... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-16 13:32:30 UTC ]
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Cecile Pineda, wide-ranging Latina author, dies at 89

She burst onto the literary scene in 1985 with her debut novel, “Face,” and later grappled with the immigrant experience and dangers of the nuclear age. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-16 03:21:25 UTC ]
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The Horse Whisperer author Nicholas Evans dies at 72

Novel by writer, who lived in Devon until fatal heart attack, was made into a film starring Robert RedfordNicholas Evans, the bestselling author of The Horse Whisperer, has died at the age of 72. In a statement, United Agents said the “much-loved” writer had died following a heart attack on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-15 10:27:18 UTC ]
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‘The Boys’ author Katie Hafner on her path from journalist to novelist

Going from nonfiction to fiction can be both liberating and paralyzing, Hafner explains. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-12 10:00:26 UTC ]
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Snowman author Raymond Briggs dies aged 88

Beloved creator of Fungus the Bogeyman and Father Christmas brought a distinctive strain of melancholy to the genre• The Snowman, the Bogeyman and Father Christmas: the world of Raymond Briggs – in pictures• Raymond Briggs obituary• Share your tributes and memories of Snowman author Raymond... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-10 07:20:39 UTC ]
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The UK’s Society of Authors Adds a New Disability-Focused Book Award

The Society of Authors in London opens its 2023 submission program, having awarded 32 writers and illustrators with 2022 prizes. The post The UK’s Society of Authors Adds a New Disability-Focused Book Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-05 13:37:47 UTC ]
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What’s the point of Saudi Arabia’s giant sideways desert skyscraper? ‘A big, long symbol of power’

A linear city in the desert is a provocative vision of the city of the future—but it’s been tried before. Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a 105-mile-long building called the Line has all the stuff of a science fiction paperback. The stark desert setting. The kingdom in control of vast amounts of one... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2022-08-04 04:30:19 UTC ]
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‘The Year of Miracles’ is a welcome reminder to savor the small stuff

Ella Risbridger’s new book beautifully explores the consolations of friendship and cooking (recipes included). Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-03 12:00:28 UTC ]
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Sasha Marianna Salzmann To Speak at the German Trade Peace Prize Ceremony

The two-time German Book Prize nominee Sasha Salzmann will speak when Serhiy Zhadan is given the German Trade's Peace Prize. The post Sasha Marianna Salzmann To Speak at the German Trade Peace Prize Ceremony appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-03 03:10:43 UTC ]
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Charlotte Pomerantz, Inventive Children’s Book Author, Dies at 92

Her imaginative use of words and lively rhymes entertained young readers, sometimes with a subtle message included, drawn from her own life. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-29 21:25:32 UTC ]
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Undisputed “World’s Greatest Author” finally lands Big 5 publishing deal.

Yes, it’s Tingle Time. One of my all-time favorite literary personalities, the greatest self-published author to ever live, Chuck Tingle, has signed a two-novel deal with Tor’s Nightfire imprint. Per the Publishers Marketplace announcement, the first book, Camp Damascus, is about “a group of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-29 15:04:14 UTC ]
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