‘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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My Job in 5; Jodie Mullish, Communications Director, Bluebird, Pan Macmillan

This week I asked Jodie Mullish, Communications Director at Bluebird, Pan Macmillan about her role and what advice she had for those looking for a job in publishing. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jacks Thomas: A Few Words With London Book Fair’s Director

'My personal highlight will be meeting the amazing Judith Kerr,' Jacks Thomas tell us in a pre-London Book Fair chat. She's readying, again, 'a global platform' for the books industry. The post Jacks Thomas: A Few Words With London Book Fair’s Director appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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English PEN launches Modern Literature Festival

English PEN has launched its first ever English PEN Modern Literature Festival which will see UK-based writers present new works in tribute to writers at risk around the world. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NLT report urges fathers to read with children

The National Literacy Trust is urging more fathers to get involved with their children’s reading, after a survey revealed that only a third of dads said they have the most influence over their child’s literacy development. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Little, Brown and English PEN hold vigil for imprisoned Saudi blogger

Little, Brown Book Group and English PEN are holding a special vigil for imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi, building on the efforts of his wife who today published a book with the publisher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Singapore's Monsoon Books opens UK branch

Monsoon Books, the independent publisher of English-language books based in Singapore, has opened an office in the UK for its editorial and marketing teams. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Orion wins auction for illustrator Rubyetc

Orion is publishing the darkly comic sketches of a 22-year-old illustrator exploring struggles with mental health, following a five-way auction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ed Victor – an honoured literary agent

As one of the books industry’s most glamorous figures is awarded a New Year’s honour, David Barnett looks back at Ed Victor’s star-studded literary careerThe veteran literary agent Ed Victor has been awarded a CBE in the New Year honours list.With a client list that ranges from Joan Collins to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-12-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Grayson Perry fronts 2016's English PEN fundraiser

English PEN's annual fundraising event 'Inspirations’ in 2016 is set to feature British artist Grayson Perry CBE. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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African-American Publishing, 2015

As race continues to be a hot topic in America, academic presses that have long specialized in African-American nonfiction are finding new opportunities in the trade market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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China Shanghai Book Fair Kicks Off

The impact China's new two-child policy may have on the children's book market was a hot topic at the fair that runs through November 15. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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English PEN awards 16 grants to writers

English PEN has awarded eight grants to books by international women writers, marking an “exciting first” for women authors to have shared in the prestigious grants equally with men. In what has been described as a "bumper English PEN grants season", a total of 16 grants were awarded this... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-11-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Yellow Kite to explore young people's mental health

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Aitken sets up Not Bad Books

Ben Aitken has set up independent publisher Not Bad Books after writing his début travel memoir, Dear Bill Bryson. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded PEN Pinter Prize with James Fenton

Saudi blogger and activist Raif Badawi will share the 2015 PEN Pinter Prize with British poet, journalist and literary critic James Fenton.  Badawi was named the 2015 International Writer of Courage, selected by Fenton from a shortlist of international cases of concern supported by English PEN,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Profile turnover exceeds £10m

Profile has seen a “breakthrough financial year” with turnover exceeding £10m for the first time in the company’s history, the publisher has said.  Turnover was up 26% year-on-year to £10.4m with operating profit at just over £1m for the year 2014-2015. The company was named as the Independent... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Leading writers hope to shift refugee debate with crowdfunded anthology

Monica Ali, William Boyd and Marina Lewycka among the authors recruited with aim of shifting public perspectivesMajor authors including Monica Ali, William Boyd and Marina Lewycka are lining up to contribute writing to a new crowdfunded anthology which aims to counter the anti-refugee rhetoric... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-09-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Elena Ferrante pours scorn on speculation she could be a man

The Italian novelist, whose real-life identity is a well-kept secret, says in email interview that female authors continue to be confined to a ‘literary gynaeceum’The elusive Italian author Elena Ferrante has said that women writers tend to be shut “in a literary gynaeceum” by the books... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-09-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diversity Survey Deadline Nears

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Obituary: Liz Perle, 59

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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