‘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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Jacaranda reveals plans to publish 20 black British writers in 2020

Indie publisher says its #Twentyin2020 initiative will cover fiction, non-fiction and poetry and help ‘normalise’ diverse readersA group of unnamed individuals has donated £25,000 towards an independent publisher’s initiative to publish 20 black British writers in 2020, in the hope it will... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mental health books outsell diet and exercise books at Barnes & Noble

In a shift, American readers have become more interested in books about mental health than about diet and exercise, according to data released by bookstore chain Barnes & Noble. The data, collected around the New Year's season, seems to indicate that readers' annual resolutions are focusing... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Communications director Helen Richardson leaves Orion after almost 20 years

Orion's group publicity and communications director, Helen Richardson, has left the Orion Publishing Group "to pursue new opportunities" after almost 20 years with the company. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette acquires SPCK's Sheldon Press

Hachette UK has acquired the Sheldon Press, a specialist medical, mental health and self-help imprint of the Christian knowledge publisher SPCK. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Bookseller's 'alternative' predictions for 2019

A major publisher opening a regional office in the north of England; closer collaboration between indie publishers and indie bookshops; thriving book trends including feminism, vegan cookery, publishing around mental health, and feelgood fiction; and continued growth for audio are among the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Political chaos in wake of withdrawal deal 'concerning' and 'unacceptable', say trade bodies

Industry bodies have expressed concern over mounting political instability following the publication of Theresa May's long-awaited draft Brexit deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CILIP makes changes at Carnegie and Kate Greenaway following diversity review

Library and information association CILIP has opened up nominations for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards to other industry bodies and is introducing a ‘children’s choice’ prize, in response to the recommendations an independently chaired diversity review. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Horatio Clare | 'This diary has been a lifeline'

An odyssey through the landscapes of winter became a meditation on mental health and the human condition for writer Horatio Clare. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vertebrate Publishing’s New Climb: Bringing Adventuring Women Into the Picture

An independent publisher in the UK sees how sports are changing, and is taking steps to address the gender gap in outdoor adventure literature–with an anthology by and about women. The post Vertebrate Publishing’s New Climb: Bringing Adventuring Women Into the Picture appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Emma Press buys Latvian children’s books

Independent publisher The Emma Press has bought the UK English language rights to several Latvian children's books.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BBC Proms and English PEN to showcase refugee talent

English PEN is collaborating with BBC Proms on a new outreach project, Brave New Voices. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Little Island looks to the future after quadruple CBI awards nod

The children’s independent publisher, founded as an offshoot of New Island Books, is going from strength to strength both at home and abroad. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Industry Notes: Germany’s De Gruyter Buys Düsseldorf; S&S Distributes Skyhorse

The 10-year-old Düsseldorf University Press is acquired by Berlin's De Gruyter, while a US independent publisher of Mo Yan and Octavio Paz is to be distributed by Simon & Schuster.  The post Industry Notes: Germany’s De Gruyter Buys Düsseldorf; S&S Distributes Skyhorse appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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From Lena Dunham to Stormzy: the world of the celebrity book imprint

On the heels of the rapper’s deal with Random House, a look at the stars dipping their toes into publishing with imprints of their ownWith the launch of his new book imprint with publishing giant Random House, announced on Thursday via Instagram, the grime rapper Stormzy joined a growing list of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-07-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Carnegie medal winner slams children’s book publishers for ‘accessible’ prose

Geraldine McCaughrean, accepting award for Where the World Ends, warned that restricting the language children read risks creating a future underclass who are ‘easy to manipulate’Carnegie medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean has castigated the books industry for dumbing down language in children’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Covering the International Books Industry: A Discussion of Trends and Challenges

From European markets recovering from financial losses to translation in the US market and book-pricing differences based on authors' genders, a 'Beyond the Book' panel at BookExpo looked at recent coverage of the books industry. The post Covering the International Books Industry: A Discussion... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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English PEN reviews policies after Galizia family concerns

English PEN has revealed it is embarking on a review of its policies after being accused of a potential conflict of interest with one of its board members. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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English PEN to celebrate Mandela centenary with poets and activists

English PEN is celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth by holding an evening of readings with writers and creatives including Ted Hughes Award-winner Jay Bernard and Makar Jackie Kay. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cottage Door Press to Acquire Parragon Assets

The independent publisher, founded in 2014, has agreed to acquire what it termed “a substantial portion of [the] worldwide intellectual property rights” of Parragon. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hot Topic: Unicorn Food Cookbooks

Unicorn food—glittery, multicolored dishes—has taken over social media recently. It's now made its way into cookbooks, too. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-03-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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