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 ]
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Myers, Aw and Mozley among 31 writers honoured with Society of Authors Awards

Tash Aw, Jesse Greengrass and Fiona Mozley are among the 31 winners of the Society of Authors 2018 Authors' Awards. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Much Do Writers Earn? Society of Authors and ALCS Present Talking Points to Publishers

Naming issues on which 'we are in almost complete alignment,' the UK's author-advocacy organization and revenue collection agency lay out talking points to the Publishers Association in an open letter. It's a new call 'to give everyone a bigger share of the pie." The post How Much Do Writers... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-07-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers bodies defend author earning figures as 'incontrovertible'

The Society of Authors (SoA) and the Authors Licensing and Collection Society (ALCS) have written an open letter taking issue with the Publishers Association’s questioning of figures unveiled in a recent survey showing writers’ earnings have fallen by 15% in four years, calling them... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers and publishers trade blows over plummeting author pay levels

Responding to a survey that found the median author income had dropped to £10,500, Publishers Association said the figures were ‘unrecognisable’The Society of Authors has issued a sharply worded challenge to the UK’s biggest publishers after the chief executive of the Publishers Association... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers are paying writers a pittance, say bestselling authors

Philip Pullman, Antony Beevor and Sally Gardner call for fairer share of profits, as survey shows full-time writers earn below minimum wagePhilip Pullman, Antony Beevor and Sally Gardner are calling on publishers to increase payments to authors, after a survey of more than 5,500 professional... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Romance writer's bid to stop authors from using word 'cocky' fails in court

Self-published author Faleena Hopkins asserted her right to the word, but judge calls attempt to stop other authors using it ‘weak’ Romance writers around the world can breathe a sigh of relief after a US court ruled that they can continue to use the adjective “cocky” in their book titles, after... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blackie pens modern myths and fairytales

September Publishing has signed mythologist and psychologist Sharon Blackie’s fictional collection of literary reworkings of myth and fairy tales. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Observer view on our new tabloid format | Observer editorial

From the French revolution to Brexit, this newspaper has put itself at the heart of the issues of the moment, whatever its sizeToday, we are proud and excited to launch our new design for the Observer. We think it’s vital for a newspaper to shed its skin from time to time, to reimagine itself... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Eccles British Library Writer's Award: investing in authors

Catherine Eccles reflects on the history of the Eccles British Library Writer's Award and how it supports authors' careers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Asian American authors join forces to help writer Matthew Salesses, whose wife is battling cancer

Author Matthew Salesses' wife, Cathreen, was diagnosed with cancer in March, not long after the birth of their second child. Now, friends and colleagues in the Asian American writing community are offering literary rewards in a GoFundMe campaign to support the family. Author Margaret Rhee... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2017-12-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer Prize

'Conversations With Friends' author Dubliner Sally Rooney at 26 wins the Sunday Times/PFD prize for emerging authors from the UK and Ireland. The post Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer Prize appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish Author Sally Rooney Wins the UK’s Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer of the Year Prize

Fêted for her auspicious debut, ‘Conversations With Friends,’ Dubliner Sally Rooney at 26 is tied with Zadie Smith (2001, ‘White Teeth’) for youngest winner of the Sunday Times/PFD prize for emerging authors from the UK and Ireland. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson A Book... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-12-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indigenous Writers in Canada: Interview with Author Cherie Dimaline

There’s more work to be done in recognizing Indigenous authors in Canada, says Cherie Dimaline, a 2017 Governor General's Literary Award winner. The post Indigenous Writers in Canada: Interview with Author Cherie Dimaline appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-11-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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LBF and Writer's Digest launch author conference

The London Book Fair and US magazine Writer’s Digest are to launch a new conference for authors, The Writer’s Summit, which will explore new opportunities in publishing and in developing successful writing careers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies

A rarity among major prize programs, the Young Writer of the Year Award welcomes the entries of work by self-publishing writers as well as trade authors. The post The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors called David more likely to be on bestseller lists than BAME writers

The Bookseller magazine has published analysis finding a ‘shockingly low’ number of BAME authors in the UK top 500 titles of the yearA writer has more chance of making it into the bestseller charts if their name is David than if they are from an ethnic minority, according to new analysis from... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-11-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Adds Membership Level for 'Emerging Writers'

Responding to what it says is the "new economy of publishing," the Authors Guild has introduced a new membership level that is "open to all devoted writers actively pursuing publication." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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#Women_writers manifesto aims to build community of female authors

Laurie Garrison’s call to arms is intended to foster collaboration ‘rejecting traditional models of publishing’The internet is not always a safe place for women, so there is something hearteningly radical about women staking a claim to this space to assert their own ambitions and interests. The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indie writers’ dismay at Author HQ

Self-published writers have voiced disgruntlement about a perceived sidelining of the Author HQ area at London Book Fair, calling it a “step backwards” for the independent author movement. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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