The Prose Factory by DJ Taylor review – beware the suggestion that literary life isn’t what it used to be

The truth about book prizes, why Amazon is like an old-fashioned library and how much famous writers really earned from their journalism …Periodically, signs go up saying that Grub Street is closed to through traffic. Observers speculate that the street is being redeveloped as gentrification forces the former inhabitants to move out, or else that the closure may be due to the expansion of the neighbouring university’s English department. Older heads are shaken in what had been the local pub but is now a coffee’n’crafts shop: there used to be more life in the place, they mourn, when bohemian writers could dash off a review against the clock to pay for their round. Even if Grub Street is eventually reopened, it will never be the same again, and anyway it will probably have been renamed “Creatives Crescent”.Such cliches and exaggerations are characteristic of this genre of lament. Like most keening for the good old days, these threnodies are not pieces of dispassionate historical analysis: they are attempts to compensate for so much that is disagreeable about one’s own time by inventing a more or less idealised version of the past. Still, it is worth wondering why “Grub Street” should be the form taken by paradise lost in this case. After all, the street originally so named in London (it was real before it was metaphorical) came to be the home of that kind of “grub” defined by the OED as “a person of mean abilities; a dull industrious drudge; a literary hack”. Even allowing... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Prose Factory by DJ Taylor review – beware the suggestion that literary life isn’t what it used to be'


Polish event brings 'Harry Potter' castle Hogwarts to life

'Harry Potter' fans came together at a castle in Poland to act out the world of J.K. Rowling's books.  More events are planned for April. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Life begins at 85 for Thorsons

HarperCollins has revealed the look for the relaunch of its Thorsons mind, body and spirit list, 85 years after its creation. Thorsons will lead the relaunch with the reissue of eight classic titles in new livery (each priced at £12.99). The titles include iconic relationship book Men are From... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Squirl Creates Portal Between Literary, Real Worlds

Squirl, a Houston-based start-up company, plans to roll out, this month, the beta version of a location-based app intended to provide a high-tech portal between imaginary landscapes and their real world inspirations. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chancellor 'to promise business rates review'

George Osborne is to pledge to overhaul business rates in a review in his Autumn Statement later today (3rd December). The Chancellor is expected to announce a review of business rates in the pre-budget statement in the House of Commons at 12.30pm, although it won’t be completed until early 2016. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sieghart Review to recommend task force for libraries

The eagerly-awaited Sieghart Review on the public library service will argue for a dedicated task force involving "all key players working together" to deliver changes at "a fast pace", a panel member has revealed. Public policy consultant Sue Charteris, talking at the Speak Up for Libraries... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Britain's Next Bestseller signs real-life stories

Crowdfunding publishing initiative Britain’s Next Bestseller has offered publishing deals to three British women for books inspired by their own struggles in life. Britain’s Next Bestseller published Ria Frances’ Inflicted in paperback for £8.99 and as an ebook in September 2014 and Cath... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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5 Tips for Editing Literary Works in Translation

Three top US book editors and one translator share their top tips for working with and editing literary translations. The post 5 Tips for Editing Literary Works in Translation appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reinventing Book Printing: Digital Printing for Every Stage in a Book’s Life

Multinational publishers know that regional book editions increase their options for selling titles, especially in the education segment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oyster Debuts Online Literary Journal

Oyster, the ebook subscription service, is launching the 'Oyster Review,' an online literary journal that will publish original material on books and writing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dan Brown on the Writing Life as a Global Megaseller

What's it like to sell over 200 million books worldwide? Dan Brown speaks with Publishing Perspectives about his writing life in the wake of enormous success. The post Dan Brown on the Writing Life as a Global Megaseller appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The new Kindle reader -- bang for your buck [Review]

If you have grown tired of hardback and paperback books, then a Kindle may be your answer. Coincidentally, Amazon has released two new models, a standard and the Voyage, which my colleague Brian Fagioli reviewed recently. These complement the existing Paperwhite, which has not yet been updated.... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2014-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, November 12, 2014

Buddhist poet Gary Snyder in conversation; Eben Alexander returns to the subject of heaven. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jaguar's Google Glass App Brings Print Ads to Life

Jaguar has a clever way to take you inside the plot of its latest villain-themed campaign. Today, the brand is linking print ads in Condé Nast's Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveler, GQ and Wired magazines to digital content through the Blippar app for Google Glass and mobile devices. The app is... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2014-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Popular messaging apps fail EFF's security review

Some of the most widely used messaging apps in the world, including Google Hangouts, Facebook chat, Yahoo Messenger and Snapchat, flunked a best-practices security test by advocacy group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).The organization evaluated 39 messaging products based on seven... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2014-11-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dulwich Books holds its first literary festival

Dulwich Books hosted its first literary festival over half-term, using the money it received as the winner of the Independent Bookshop of the Year award at the Bookseller Industry Awards in May. The south London bookshop won a £5,000 prize sponsored by Gardners for winning the award, and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Still looking for a scary story post-Halloween? Booksellers have a suggestion for you

In a recent survey by industry newsletter Shelf Awareness, the novel 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson was booksellers' top pick for a great spooky tale. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-11-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookcase Literary Agency Makes a Global Splash with Self-Publishing

Brazil’s Bookcase Literary Agency has made a name for itself after just one year in business by connecting talented, independent authors with international publishers. The post Bookcase Literary Agency Makes a Global Splash with Self-Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Top literary agent Andrew Wylie calls Amazon Isis-like distribution channel

Wylie calls for fellow publishers to stand firm and not to blink during negotiations over ebook royalties with digital retailerHe is the sinister jackal of the literary world who counts Salman Rushdie, Philip Roth and Martin Amis among his formidable roster of clients.Andrew Wylie, arguably the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tesco Hudl2 review: The UK's best value tablet

A supermarket turned tablet maker doesn't sound like the wisest of career progressions. Tesco's not your average supermarket, though. When you consider the Tesco machine also operates video- and music-streaming services, an ebook store and an online... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-10-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Kindle Voyage Wi-Fi + free 3G and Leather Origami Cover [Review]

It seems like everyone has a tablet or phablet nowadays. These devices are wonderful as they let you do many things, like listening to music, surfing the web and reading. Yes, you can read a book on an iPad, Nexus 7 or Galaxy Note, but you shouldn't  -- your eyes do not want you to. You see,... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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