Up in smoke: should an author's dying wishes be obeyed?

Harper Lee never wanted Go Set a Watchman brought out, Sylvia Plath’s diary was burned by Ted Hughes – the controversial world of literary legacies When a writer is born into a family, the Polish poet Czesław Miłosz said, that family is finished. Yes, but when a writer dies that family’s troubles have only just begun. Wills may be contradictory and instructions to literary executors confused. Works left behind on computers or in desk drawers may be of uncertain status: were they intended for publication or not? And if the writer is famous enough, there’ll be biographers to deal with: can they be trusted to paint a kindly portrait? In their lifetime, authors have a measure of control. Once they’re gone, it’s left to others to guard their reputations.The vigilance can be fierce, with the appointed custodians (whether spouses, children, lawyers, agents, editors or friends) not so much keepers of the flame as dragons guarding a cave. Posterity is rarely kind to them: however they act, they will be accused of acting badly. If they deny the author’s wishes, as those acting for the French philosopher Michel Foucault have recently done by consenting to the publication of a book he hadn’t finished and didn’t want to come out, they will be called treacherous. And if they are overly loyal, destroying work the author disowned but that deserves to be saved, they will be called philistine or just plain stupid. Either way, they can’t shirk the role allotted them. They have an estate to... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]

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‘Lachlan gets fired the day Rupert dies’: Murdoch biography stokes succession rumors

New book by Australian reporter Paddy Manning hints at Succession-style feud with ramifications for US rightwing politicsIt’s long been thought that the succession plan for Lachlan Murdoch to take control of Fox Corporation and News Corp was set in stone for when his 91-year-old father, Rupert... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-31 13:39:54 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #11 with Malinda Lo, author of 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club'

Lo will appear in conversation with Cristina Mitra of the San Francisco Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, November 1, at 1 p.m ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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AC/DC's Brian Johnson reveals in memoir he 'wouldn't have minded' dying at 180 mph

AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson talks about a time in his life when he 'wouldn't have minded' a fiery death in a new memoir, "The Lives of Brian." Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-10-25 19:05:57 UTC ]
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Carmen Callil, pioneering champion of female writers, dies aged 84

Publisher who founded Virago Press began as a campaigning outsider who introduced UK readers to authors including Angela Carter and Margaret AtwoodCarmen Callil, the publisher and writer who championed female writers and transformed the canon of English literature, has died of leukemia in London... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-18 09:09:25 UTC ]
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Sri Lankan Author Shehan Karunatilaka Named 2022 Booker Prize Winner

Her Majesty the Queen Consort presented the prize to Shelan Karunatilaka for 'The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida' in a ceremony on October 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane dies aged 72

The actor, known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise and Fitz in the series Cracker, has died aged 72. Continue reading at BBC News

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Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in Harry Potter films, dies at 72

Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on the TV series Cracker and Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died. Continue reading at CBC

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Discover New Japanese Books and Authors: Close-up on Japan Book Bank

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Peter Robinson, creator of the Inspector Banks novels, dies aged 72

The Leeds-born novelist whose work included poetry and short stories as well as his bestselling thrillers will be remembered as a master of plot and characterThe crime writer Peter Robinson has died aged 72, his publisher has announced.The Yorkshire-born author died suddenly on the 4 October... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-07 11:56:17 UTC ]
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Watchmen author Alan Moore: ‘I’m definitely done with comics’

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Hachette Book Group Works to Diversify Slate of Authors

Hachette Book Group took another step toward bringing more BIPOC writers to the table in an equitable way by cohosting a Hurston/Wright Writers Week Workshop retreat for the first time this summer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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French author Annie Ernaux has won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature.

This morning, the Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to the French author Annie Ernaux “for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory.” Annie Ernaux is the author of some twenty works of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-06 11:09:56 UTC ]
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French Author Annie Ernaux Wins Nobel Prize For Literature

Annie Ernaux, 82, was cited for “the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory." Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2022-10-06 11:03:31 UTC ]
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It's Never Too Late: Seven Authors on Making Their YA Debuts After Age 50

These first-time authors are out to prove that life experience and hindsight are advantages when it comes to crafting riveting stories for teens. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

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Two-Time Booker Winner Hilary Mantel Dies at 70

Mantel, whose bestselling trilogy on the life of Thomas Cromwell earned her critical acclaim and three bestsellers, died on September 22. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's updated e-book return policy looks like a big win for authors

Anyone who has been taking advantage of Amazon's liberal return policy regarding e-books could soon be in for a shock. That's because following discussions with the Authors Guild, Amazon has agreed to block automatic returns on digital books that are more than 10 percent read. Currently, the... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-09-23 19:10:20 UTC ]
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Booker Prize-winning author Hilary Mantel dead at 70

Hilary Mantel, the best-selling British author known for her award-winning Wolf Hall historical trilogy, died on Thursday at the age of 70, her publisher said on Twitter on Friday. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-09-23 11:29:52 UTC ]
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Acclaimed British Author Hilary Mantel Dead At 70

Mantel was credited with reenergizing historical fiction with “Wolf Hall” and two sequels about the 16th-century English powerbroker Thomas Cromwell. Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2022-09-23 10:42:20 UTC ]
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In London and New York, Authors’ Trade Groups Hail Amazon’s Change on Self-Service Ebook Returns

Amazon's change reportedly will prevent a self-service return of a Kindle ebook for a full refund if a consumer has read more than 10 percent of the text. The post In London and New York, Authors’ Trade Groups Hail Amazon’s Change on Self-Service Ebook Returns appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-09-22 19:04:47 UTC ]
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UAE: Sharjah Book Authority’s New Awards Honor Rights Professionals

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