The Guardian view on modern writers: the myth of the reclusive author | Editorial

These days, most writers cannot afford to live secluded from their public. But when a very private author like Thomas Harris announces a new novel, there’s always special excitementAuthors – at least as far as their relationship with the public goes – fall into several distinct categories. There are those who wish they had a public at all, who long for an invitation to speak at a book festival, and whose publishers try in vain to tempt journalists to interview them and podcast producers to book them. This category embraces a larger proportion of authors than most people would like to imagine; the average income earned by writers from writing (as opposed to teaching, or other day jobs) is £12,500, according to a recent study.Then there are those who have a sufficient standing to attract the attention of festivals, book clubs and other public events, and a publisher who can be persuaded to fork out travel expenses for them to attend. These events are almost invariably poorly paid, and at their worst – when audience members and sales are few – can be dispiriting. On the other hand, good literary festivals pride themselves on being welcoming and warmly social places, where authors can enjoy swapping solitary hours of writing for intelligent interaction with readers and conversation with colleagues. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #day jobs #recent study #travel expenses #audience members

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Authors Sue Alleged ‘Predatory’ Publisher Over Unpaid Royalties

Coordinated by the Authors Guild, the suit claims that Authors’ Place Press and its predecessor Motivational Press have failed to fulfill their contractual obligations and have refused to pay or properly account for royalties earned. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Jean Paré, Best-Selling ‘Everyday’ Cookbook Author, Dies at 95

With easy-to-follow recipes developed in her native Canada, she became one of the world’s top cookbook authors, publishing more than 30 million copies. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-01-09 20:19:55 UTC ]
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Book review: “The Prisoner and the Writer,” by Heather Camlot and Sophie Casson

On the 125th anniversary of “J’Accuse,” a picture book for older kids places the lives of Alfred Dreyfus and Émile Zola side by side. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-01-06 07:36:52 UTC ]
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Why AI audiobook narrators could win over some authors and readers, despite the vocal bumps

Apple and Google’s AI turn in a booming market may sound less than human and raise the ire of voiceover actors, but it has cost benefits For the first few seconds, the narrator of Kristen Ethridge’s new romance audiobook, Shelter from the Storm, sounds like a human being. The voice is light and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-01-05 06:41:18 UTC ]
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A new indie bookstore named for Octavia Butler is opening in the author’s hometown.

Here’s a piece of good literary news to start the year: a new independent bookstore named after the legendary Octavia E. Butler is opening in Pasadena, California, where the late Sci-Fi icon was born and raised. I took the leap and quit my job to open my very own bookstore. Octavia’s Bookshelf... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-01-03 17:31:27 UTC ]
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10 Science Fiction Books by Black Women Writers

This past summer, an auntie of mine dusted off an old cardboard box of books from a cluttered storage unit, and handed me a slim blue and gold paperback with soft, slightly frayed corners and a creased spine by Octavia E. Butler. I had never read science fiction that featured a Black girl being... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-12-28 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Top-selling Canadian cookbook author Jean Paré dies in Edmonton at age 95

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[ CBC | 2022-12-27 15:54:46 UTC ]
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I Baked ‘Fabulous Modern Cookies’ With My Mom—and She Approves

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[ Wired | 2022-12-23 12:00:00 UTC ]
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“I Am Here to Mourn a Writer Who Has Become Part of My Personal Canon.” On the Short Stories of Naira Kuzmich

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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-22 09:53:38 UTC ]
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The Guardian hit by suspected ransomware attack

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[ Engadget | 2022-12-21 19:15:42 UTC ]
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Wild Worlds: SFF Books By Unexpected Writers

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[ Book Riot | 2022-12-20 11:35:00 UTC ]
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French comic book author Fabcaro to pen next Asterix

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[ The Guardian | 2022-12-20 08:21:03 UTC ]
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‘I’m parking my guilt’: confessions of a celebrity children’s book ghost writer

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[ The Guardian | 2022-12-16 10:41:27 UTC ]
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HC Union Update: Authors Co-Host Rally at Harper Headquarters; Agents 'Overwhelmingly' Support Strike

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Urges New York Governor to Sign Freelance Isn’t Free Act into Law

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Book Author Tomie dePaola and Activist Icon John Lewis on 2023 USPS Stamps

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[ Book Riot | 2022-12-14 18:11:26 UTC ]
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500+ Authors Sign Letter Supporting HarperCollins Union’s Strike

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[ Book Riot | 2022-12-12 18:27:00 UTC ]
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Struggling authors know writing is a rich person’s hobby | Letters

Stephen Carver, Guinevere Glasfurd, Brian Needham and Jo McMillan respond to Joanne Harris’s article about horribly low pay in the publishing worldRegarding Joanne Harris’s article (Horribly low pay is pushing out my fellow authors – and yes, that really does matter, 7 December), I guess I’m a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-12-11 17:07:25 UTC ]
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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-08 09:57:24 UTC ]
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