Universal credit could silence working-class writers, MPs told

All-party inquiry into authors’ incomes hears new benefit’s rules could mean only the wealthy will write. Meanwhile booksellers welcomed budget business-rate changesMPs have been warned that the rollout of universal credit championed in Monday’s budget will further undermine professional writers’ falling incomes. As a result, authors such as 2018 Man Booker prize winner Anna Burns, JK Rowling and Sarah Waters, all of whom relied on benefits to write their breakout bestsellers, would be unable to write full-time unless they had an alternative income.In the acknowledgments to her winning novel, Milkman, Burns thanked her local food bank, various charities and benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions for support that enabled her to write the book. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-30 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Resisting censorship

Last month, 58 writers, journalists and artists signed a letter in the Sunday Times in support of JK Rowling, condemning the ‘onslaught of abuse’ she has received regarding her views on sex, gender and trans rights. Signatories included Tom Stoppard, Ian McEwan and Lionel Shriver. Three days... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-04 20:35:25 UTC ]
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Children's news website apologises to JK Rowling over trans tweet row

The Day faced legal action from author after implying that her comments on gender harmed trans peopleA news website aimed at British schoolchildren has agreed to pay an unsubstantiated amount after it implied that JK Rowling’s comments on gender caused harm to trans people.The Day, which is... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-07-23 16:33:19 UTC ]
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"Let’s clarify what free speech is and is not": An open letter to the industry from Pride in Publishing

Being a book publisher comes with a set of tough moral responsibilities. You provide livelihoods for authors and booksellers, your hiring decisions can greatly influence how UK culture is shaped, and you’re also a company with a duty of care towards your staff. Sometimes these duties come into... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-23 03:23:48 UTC ]
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We've come a long way with LBGTQ+ literature

In 2012, the literary critic Suzi Feay lamented the lack of new lesbian voices in UK publishing. Describing what she saw as “a shortage of lesbian writers in Britain today”, she wondered who would follow in the footsteps of established authors like Ali Smith, Sarah Waters and Jeanette Winterson.... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-22 12:20:04 UTC ]
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Rowling, Smith and Oliver make British Book Awards '30 from 30' shortlist

JK Rowling, Zadie Smith and Jamie Oliver have made the shortlist for the British Book Awards "30 from 30" trophy that will crown one book the “best” of the past three decades. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-18 13:31:41 UTC ]
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Announcing the Sunday Times PFD Young Writer of the Year Award shortlist

From meditations on the d/Deaf experience to short stories blurring the mythic and the gothic with the everyday, from mixing the personal and political to a young woman uncover the truth about her family’s past – four outstanding writers have today been named on the shortlist for The Sunday... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2019-11-04 12:55:09 UTC ]
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Hachette launching Essentials modern classics series

Hachette is launching its first ever modern classics list for its international markets, featuring titles from Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell and Sarah Waters among others. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Library petition hits 20k signatures after Rowling support

JK Rowling's endorsement of a petition fighting to protect libraries by ringfencing government funding has prompted an additional 10,000 signatures to be added in just four days. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Universal credit could silence working-class writers, MPs told

All-party inquiry into authors’ incomes hears new benefit’s rules could mean only the wealthy will write. Meanwhile booksellers welcomed budget business-rate changesMPs have been warned that the rollout of universal credit championed in Monday’s budget will further undermine professional... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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JK Rowling's Harry Potter fuels Bloomsbury profit rise

Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential also helps boost publisher’s profits by 13% A surge in sales of Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential and growing demand for the perennial favourite Harry Potter has helped to fuel a rise in first-half profits and revenue for the book publisher... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Booker judges shouldn't blame editors for overlong novels

Authors take the credit when their books win prizes, and it should be admitted that they are also responsible for their failingsEvery year, there is a controversy at the Man Booker prize; this year, it is all about the work of editors. Or rather, the supposed lack of work that editors are... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Star Is Born: Tatiana Maslany turns 33 today

JK Rowling once surprised readers by telling them that all along, without mention in her books, one of her "Harry Potter" characters was gay. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How do I get my book published? You asked Google – here’s the answer | Katy Guest

Every day millions of people ask Google life’s most difficult questions. Our writers answer some of the commonest queriesBefore trying to answer this very important question, it is useful to ask yourself another one: “Why should I get my book published?” What do you hope to achieve by releasing... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BAFTA gong for Call Me By Your Name

The Korean film adaptation of Sarah Waters’ bestselling Fingersmith triumphed at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) last night, along with the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro”, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, and James Ivory’s adaptation of 2007 novel Call Me By Your Name... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter's magic: Documentary looks at 20 years since the boy who lived revived magic

In the 20 years since Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone – the first novel in JK Rowling's global publishing phenomenon – was released, the bespectacled boy wizard has achieved many, many revolutionary things. Most importantly, he has transformed children's passion for reading – and... Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2018-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Welsh-language novels 'enjoying golden age' despite reported sales decline

Despite news this week that sales had fallen dramatically, the Welsh Books Council’s chief says that the sector is showing real growthThe head of the Welsh Books Council (WBC) has hailed a “golden age for the Welsh-language novel” despite reports of a dramatic decline in sales.BBC Cymru Fyw... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-11-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Good Immigrant's editor plans new journal and agency for writers of colour

Nikesh Shukla and literary agent Julia Kingsford have launched Kickstarter appeal to fund The Good Journal, with further plans for an affiliated agencyAfter selling more than 50,000 copies and being named the British public’s favourite book of 2016, the success of anthology The Good Immigrant... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-09-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lucky Strike: BBC hopes JK Rowling's sleuth will steal Victoria's crown

Series based on Harry Potter author’s novels written under pseudonym will face ITV’s hit period drama on Sunday nightsThe BBC is banking on JK Rowling’s magic touch in a Sunday night ratings battle between the sumptuous ITV costume drama Victoria and its own thriller, Strike, adapted from crime... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-08-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What JK Rowling said about the first Harry Potter book

The author said it was "wonderful" seeing the first Harry Potter book in the shops. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2017-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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