‘There’s an industry-wide mental health crisis’: authors and publishers on why the books sector needs to change

After a survey revealed the stresses that authors face when placed in the spotlight for the first time, publishing houses and industry bodies have pledged extra training and pastoral careAuthor and publisher welfare has been a hot topic in the books industry of late. Publishing houses, trade unions and industry bodies have scrambled for solutions following a survey by the Bookseller in which debut authors reported overwhelmingly negative publication experiences: more than half of respondents said the process adversely affected their mental health. Now, a series of measures are being rolled out across the industry in response to these concerns.This month, Anna Frame, communications director at the independent publisher Canongate, has confirmed the launch of two initiatives: an authors’ handbook in partnership with the Society of Authors (SoA) and a resource pack for publishers, in conjunction with English Pen. Canongate has also announced that it will publish fewer books so that it can dedicate more time to authors. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-18 15:13:43 UTC ]

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Being a crime writer doesn’t mean I condone murder. Do I even have to say it? | Garry Disher

Every now and then I encounter people who can’t suspend disbelief. They ask how I can write about ‘such terrible things’Feeling unappreciated is your lot as a writer. Few readers; no readers. Scathing reviews; no reviews. Publishers saying, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” or not taking a punt on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-11-03 17:00:27 UTC ]
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How a thriving indie bookseller is taking on Amazon's bricks-and-mortar insurgence

Ann Patchett reveals the route to her bestseller and how she'll battle Amazon. (Shop dogs help.) Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-10-31 20:02:20 UTC ]
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404 Ink lands Donnelly book on video games and mental health

Indie 404 Ink has landed a part-memoir, part-investigation of how video games can positively impact mental health from journalist Joe Donnelly. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-31 16:31:20 UTC ]
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A Most Rare Compendium: An 18th-Century Guide to Magical Treasure Hunting?

We do not know who owned the manuscript before 1928, when A Most Rare Compendium was sold to the Wellcome Library by the Viennese antiquarian bookseller V. A. Heck for 1,200 Swiss francs (48 pounds sterling). Heck’s sales announcement describes it as an “exceedingly curious” and “artfully... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-10-31 08:48:15 UTC ]
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Pictures of the week

This week's pictures round-up features a rare Salman Rushdie appearance, the launch of a new independent publisher and the 2019 Booker Prize ceremony. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-25 04:56:48 UTC ]
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The Problem(s) with Damaged Goods

An indie bookseller urges publishers to pay more attention to the way they ship their cargo. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Bridge launches mental health podcast ahead of new book

​Presenter and author Frankie Bridge has launched a brand-new podcast interviewing guests about their mental health, ahead of publication of her first book Open (Octopus). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-22 08:21:36 UTC ]
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A Picture Book Free-for-all: The Follow Up (shelftalker)

A buyer circles back to talk sell-through on bookseller favorites. Plus, a holiday preview! Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-18 12:00:02 UTC ]
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Two Minnesota Indie Bookstores Partnered Up, and Business Is Booming

Twin Cities area bookstores Excelsior Bay Books and Valley Bookseller have entered a unique collaborative relationship that is attracting A-list authors to their premises and bumping up both stores’ sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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My Frankfurt Book Fair... with Laura Ricchetti

Pan Macmillan’s international sales star—and the Shooting Star among this year’s The Bookseller Rising Stars tranche—on her love for the Messe, learning from Ms Martini, and not drinking too many martinis... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-15 16:21:40 UTC ]
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To Read with a Flashlight Under Your Chin (shelftalker)

A bookseller shares some personal favorite scary stories, just in time for Halloween. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-11 12:00:56 UTC ]
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British Book Awards and The Bookseller working class survey shortlisted for PPA Awards

The British Book Awards and The Bookseller’s working class survey have been shortlisted for prizes at this year’s Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Independent Publisher Awards. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-02 16:52:21 UTC ]
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The censor and the pen: investigating the stark dilemma for booksellers

With studies showing the general public increasingly favours the censorship of potentially offensive material, one bookseller reveals how it can be a catch-22. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-26 07:13:24 UTC ]
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Oprah’s Book Club is coming to Apple TV+

Oprah Winfrey is one of the A-list celebrities Apple has enlisted for Apple TV+. Winfrey has already signed on for a series with Prince Harry on mental health, and she's expected to release another documentary, Toxic Labor, about workplace harassment... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2019-09-23 14:19:00 UTC ]
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Bell calls for publishing to 'reflect all children' in bid to boost reading

At The Bookseller Children’s Conference today, Scholastic co-managing director Catherine Bell urged publishing to "reflect all children" and engage parents so they can read to their youngsters. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-23 02:34:03 UTC ]
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Taking a Turn Behind the Circulation Desk (shelftalker)

From cool technology to book clubs to a tricky round of Jeopardy, a bookseller plays librarian for a day. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-20 12:00:45 UTC ]
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A Bookseller Field Trip (shelftalker)

Visiting an author’s book launch at a colleague’s bookstore is a delightful adventure. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-18 12:00:48 UTC ]
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20 Years Later, The FADER Stays True to Its Mission

In terms of digital disruption, magazines were far from the only form of traditional media upended by the rise of the internet over the past two decades. So as a relatively small fish in a rather large and well-funded pond of publications covering the music industry—a space that's undergone its... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2019-09-17 20:45:42 UTC ]
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The (Surprisingly) Small World of Bookselling (shelftalker)

A bookseller says goodbye to a colleague and reflects on the ways industry relationships come back around. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-09-13 11:00:53 UTC ]
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The Bookseller introduces new fully compostable magazine wrapper

The Bookseller magazine will now be delivered in fully compostable material for the first time, replacing its previous recyclable polythene wrap. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-13 10:39:06 UTC ]
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