The Guardian view on fiction vending machines: attention seekers | Editorial

If they succeed in distracting commuters from their smartphones, short story dispensers will be a welcome addition to the landscapeCan fiction miniatures dispensed through slots lure commuters away from their smartphone apps and social media feeds into the imaginary worlds created by authors including Virginia Woolf and Anthony Horowitz? We are about to find out. The French company Short Édition, which already has short-story vending machines in France, Hong Kong and the US, arrives in the UK this week, unveiling its first three terminals in London. Henceforth, travellers through Canary Wharf will have the option of forsaking news, email, Football Manager 2019 and every other temptation their handheld device can offer in favour of a story on a scroll of paper, printed on demand for free.It’s a modern twist on the idea of a free bookstall or swap scheme, already familiar to rail travellers across the UK. The cost is borne by businesses, which are encouraged to install the machines as a way of improving customer experiences and preventing people from getting cross or bored. The novelty lies in the dispenser, but also the brevity and portability of the reads on offer, which range from one minute to half an hour, and can also be viewed online. (Mr Horowitz has been commissioned to pen a 60-second whodunnit for the launch.) They demand far less time and energy than a book – in many cases, less effort to read even than a chapter – and will take up next to no space in a bag.... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #modern twist

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Guardian view on fiction vending machines: attention seekers | Editorial'


The Past Is Messy and Repeats Itself: The Trap of Fairytale Victory Endings in Historical Fiction

This essay isn’t about World War II. But like any historical fiction writer publishing in 2023, it’s impossible to ignore the recent wave of WWII novels that fill bookstore shelves at the moment. As someone who reads and enjoys many of these books but has no desire to write one, I have a theory... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-10-17 08:45:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #recent wave #bookstore #historical fiction


Halloween Short Fiction: 9 Short Stories to Get You Ready for Spooky Season

These Halloween short stories are free to read online! They're deliciously unsettling, genre-bending, emotional, and even humorous. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-16 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #spooky season #read online #short stories


Write Who You Love: J. Ryan Stradal on Memorializing His Mother Through Fiction

Since my first novel was published, at almost every interview and live event, I get asked a version of the same question. Usually people seem just curious, but occasionally there are notes of hostility or amazement. They want to know why, and often how, I write my female protagonists. The answer... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-10-16 08:50:29 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #live event #female protagonists #first novel


9 Science Fiction Books that Mix in Medieval Elements

These nine medieval science fiction books play with limits of time, space, and history to tell fascinating stories with medieval elements. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-10-13 10:32:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #science fiction


Why Genre Fiction Is So Effective in Tackling Social Issues

Novelist Cindy Fazzi says authors interested in addressing the great issues of the day should avoid preaching and focus on telling a good story. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #genre fiction


With Adult Fiction Tumbling 10%, Print Book Sales Fell 5.7% Last Week

After a long run with weekly sales ahead of 2022, unit sales of adult fiction titles were down 0.2% in the year-to-date after sales fell last week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #long run #sales fell #fiction titles #print book


Letting the Unspoken Speak: A Reading List of Historical Trauma in Fiction

My sophomore novel, Evil Eye, follows Yara Murad, a Palestinian American woman who begins to confront the psychological and interpersonal aftermath of her emotionally volatile childhood as her carefully constructed life begins to fall apart. In drafting this novel, which explores post-traumatic... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-09-22 08:35:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #historical trauma #daunting task


Read the Winners of American Short Fiction’s 2023 Insider Prize, Selected by Nickolas Butler

Last spring, I approached Nickolas Butler, internationally bestselling author of the novels Shotgun Lovesongs, The Hearts of Men, and Godspeed, to be the judge for this year’s Insider Prize, American Short Fiction’s annual literary award for incarcerated writers in Texas. He’d worked with... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-09-22 08:15:30 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #incarcerated writers #literary award #bestselling author


Booksellers Stock Up on Genre Fiction

Genre fiction by such authors as Colleen Hoover, N.K. Jemisin, and Rebecca Roanhorse remains extremely popular with readers. As publishers increase their output to meet demand, booksellers are making more and more room on their shelves for the titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #genre fiction #colleen hoover #meet demand


Editorial Promotions Announced at Ballantine Group

Kara Welsh, president of PRH’s Ballantine Group—home of the Ballantine Bantam Dell imprints—announced a number of editorial promotions within the group. Those include the promotion of Kara Cesare to v-p and editor-in-chief of BBD. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #kara welsh #editorial promotions


Want to understand Elon Musk (and America)? This is the book to read—and it’s fiction

‘Kill the Rich’ by Jack Allison and Kate Shapiro is a lacerating satire of America’s gonzo culture—and no one comes out unscathed. A provocative book title doesn’t always telegraph to readers what awaits inside. When it comes to those self-help books that include a naughty little swear on the... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-09-16 03:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book title


New Historical Fiction Books

From the dark heart of a misguided follower to the young hand of a diarist whose words outlived her, these novels encompass the full spectrum of humanity. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-09-15 16:58:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #dark heart #full spectrum #historical fiction


Here’s the longlist for the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction.

Today, the National Book Foundation announced the longlist for the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction. The ten titles on the longlist were selected from a pool of 496 books submitted for consideration by their publishers; this year’s judges for Fiction are Steph Cha, Calvin Crosby, Silas... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-09-15 14:15:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ten titles #steph cha #calvin crosby #national book foundation #national book award


20 of the Most Thought-Provoking, Philosophical Science Fiction Books of All Time

Looking for a work of science fiction that will make you really think? Welcome to these philosophical sci-fi books! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-09-15 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #science fiction


8 Magical Libraries in Fiction

Get away from it all with a journey to the most magical libraries in fiction from the Library of Zosma to the Great Libraries of Austmeer. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-09-12 10:34:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #libraries


Amy Einhorn Named Fiction Publisher at Crown

The publisher will leave Macmillan's Henry Holt imprint to spearhead the fiction program at Crown Publishing Group. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #leave macmillan #fiction publisher


20 Award-Winning Historical Fiction Books

From the Pulitzer and Booker to the Walter Scott Prize and more, these award-winning historical fiction books are the best in the genre! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-24 10:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #historical fiction


Lydah Pyles DeBin Named Executive Director of Center for Fiction

DeBin previously served as deputy director of Portland's Literary Arts, as well as a national account manager at Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Young Readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #deputy director #literary arts #random house #simon schuster


Jim Milliot to Retire from 'PW'; Jonathan Segura Named Editorial Director

After more than 30 years at the company, Jim Milliot will retire as editorial director of 'PW' at the end of 2023, with Jonathan Segura set to succeed him in the position, among other editorial changes. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #jim milliot


YouTube will trade on its own co-viewing data, sparking agency pushback

Nielsen guarantees will remain an option, at least for now, as YouTube joins Amazon in alt currency movement. Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2023-08-21 09:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nielsen