The indie publishing mavericks shaking up the UK books world

Last year, all of literature’s big prizes went to small publishers. In a risk‑averse climate, edgy debuts and ‘tricky-to-sell’ foreign titles have found a home at the likes of Fitzcarraldo Editions and Sort Of Books – and the gamble has paid offA quiet revolution is afoot in British publishing. Earlier this year, when American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis brought out his latest bestseller, The Shards, the book came to UK readers not from his usual publisher, Picador – his home for nearly four decades – but from a small independent company, Swift Press, a freelance-powered outfit so light on overheads it doesn’t even have an office. Likewise, Sheila Heti, the prize-winning Canadian author of zeitgeisty autobiographical cogitations Motherhood and How Should a Person Be?, recently announced that her next book won’t be out with her regular publisher, Penguin Random House, but with south London indie Fitzcarraldo Editions, not yet 10 years in business. Last year’s Booker winner, Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka, came to us courtesy of the smallest publisher ever to win the prize, husband-and-wife indie Sort Of Books. In 2022, all the glittering literary prizes went to indies – not only the Booker, but its sister prize for translated fiction, the International Booker, as well as the Nobel, the Goldsmiths, the Pulitzer and Australia’s A$100,000 (£80,000) Victorian prize for literature. The last four remarkably were all won by Fitzcarraldo, the UK home of celebrated... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-16 08:00:02 UTC ]

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International Bestsellers: Nobel Laureate Alexievich Tops Swedish List

Bestseller lists from France, Italy, and Sweden, where Svetlana Alexievich was the #1 nonfiction title in December. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Bauer Media ditched its sales team and went all programmatic

The publishing world has long seen programmatic as the realm of cheap, unsold inventory with far less revenue potential than what's sold through direct channels. But times are changing. Bauer Xcel Media, the U.S. arm the European magazine company, has shuttered its direct sales team in favor of... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2015-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ALA Midwinter 2016 Preview: We Need to Talk About Reference

We take a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2015, and a look ahead at what they portend for 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW's Top 10 Library Stories of 2015

We take a look back at some of the library stories that captivated the publishing world in 2015, and a look ahead at what they portend for 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lucy Maud Montgomery: From hat box novelist to Google Doodle tribute

On the Canadian author's birthday, Google honors Lucy Maud Montgomery's famous novel 'Anne of Green Gables.'  Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-12-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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An Upstate Press Finds a Potential Local Hit in France

Open Letter press is well known in the publishing world for its literature in translation program. It's less known in its hometown of Rochester, though the press's new French novel might change that. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Belarus bookshop braves the state to publish Nobel winner's work

Underground publisher says it is risking regulations to translate Svetlana Alexievich’s novels into her home languageBefore a group of Belarusian artists and intellectuals chose it as their headquarters, Minsk drinkers would line up outside the run-down building for cheap vodka on tap. These... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Frankfurt, It’s Time for the Superheroes of Publishing to Rise

Ahead of the Frankfurt Book Fair, Ed Nawotka reflects on the up-and-coming stars, those in the spotlight and behind the scenes, of the publishing world. The post At Frankfurt, It’s Time for the Superheroes of Publishing to Rise appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2015: At Opening, Salman Defends Free Speech

Amid tight security, author Salman Rushdie told reporters that the publishing world must continue to defend free speech. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nobel prize for literature: Who is Svetlana Alexievich?

Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich won the Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday. Her first novel, "The Unwomanly Face of the War," published in 1985 and about the untold stories of women who had fought against Nazi Germany. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Last chance to book children’s conference tickets

The children’s publishing world has only 24 hours left to book tickets to this year’s Bookseller children’s conference, which is taking place next Tuesday (29th September). The day, themed around the idea of growing the children’s market by invention and reinvention, covers four key areas:... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Future of digital advertising: consumers and advertisers need a new deal

Free content on the web can only survive if consumers stop using ad blocking software but advertisers need to stop their ‘pay and spray’ approachThe sale of the Financial Times marked an important milestone in traditional media continuing it transformation into the digital world. Many... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Jewish Lights, Two Graphic Novels Exceed Expectations

Two graphic novels by Steve Sheinkin and former 'Village Voice' cartoonist Stan Mack each took the publishing world by surprise after becoming bestsellers for Jewish Lights recently. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author seeks Refuge for Books donations

Author Lucy Beresford is launching an initiative to create a library at one of the London shelters for domestic violence charity Refuge.   Beresford said: “I'm launching an initiative called Refuge for Books, asking all my friends in the publishing world to send me a copy of a book for Refuge.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Canadian Author’s Adventures in International Book Marketing

Pakastani-born Canadian children's book author Rukhsana Khan explains how to leveraging appearances at book fairs for the greatest benefit and impact. The post A Canadian Author’s Adventures in International Book Marketing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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TV Land Renews Younger and Comedy Central Brings Back Inside Amy Schumer

TV Land has given the green light for a second season of Younger, starring Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor and Nico Tortorella. The Darren Star-produced series follows Liza, played by Foster, a 40-year-old woman who pretends to be 26 in order to get a job in the publishing... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Columbus Dispatch Captures Audience Information, Ad Revenue

The Holy Grail in the publishing world is to harness our ability to maintain a direct relationship with our customers when using various third-party data providers and applications.   Publishers such as us – The Columbus Dispatch & ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hawks, butterflies, coasts and footpaths: how nature writing turned to literary gold

Books about the natural world are now huge sellers, tapping into a new appreciation for the countryside and scepticism about material wealthBondage is so last year. Publishers who spent much of the past year in search of the next Fifty Shades of Grey are now seeking to exploit another literary... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Making the Decision About Native Advertising

[Sponsored Content] Love it or hate it, native advertising is making a solid impact in the publishing world. It won’t be long before your advertisers will expect you to have a policy on whether or not you embrace it. The post Making the Decision About Native Advertising appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2015-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Confessions of a Gay Erotica Writer in the Era of Indie Publishing

Self-published gay erotica writer M.P. Rey reveals his joy at moving from the dusty shelves of hidden rainbow-flag bookstores to better status on Amazon. The post Confessions of a Gay Erotica Writer in the Era of Indie Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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