Where are fiction’s real working-class heroes? | Letter

Working-class lives are unlikely to be properly represented in fiction if the publishing industry is run by middle-class graduates, says Nick MossKeiran Goddard is right to say that too many novels that claim to portray working-class life just give us “recent arts graduate feels emotionally, financially and erotically unsatisfied” (Close to Home by Michael Magee review – Belfast struggles, 21 April). He then raves about Michael Magee’s novel about a “sullen man in his 20s who has returned to Belfast after university”. The gatekeepers of the publishing industry are, all too often, recent university graduates, white and middle class, who work as literary agents and assistants. Their peers fill the broadsheet culture sections.Little wonder then that they can only recognise working-class stories when mediated through their own experience as graduates. The idea that there are other stories to be told and other working-class voices appears to bypass even your reviewer. I guess, given that most working-class kids are now being priced out of university, even the “recent arts graduate returns home” trope will soon focus solely on the lives of twentysomethings in the home counties. Nick Moss London Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-30 16:40:05 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Where are fiction’s real working-class heroes? | Letter"


Global 50: The World Ranking of the Publishing Industry 2021

PW’s annual ranking of the world’s largest publishers in 2021 shows little change from 2020 among the top 10 Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Meet Alex Aster, The TikToker Changing The Publishing Industry For The Better

The Colombian-American author's new book "Lightlark" was rejected numerous times — until she went directly to her readers for support. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2022-09-15 09:45:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Is the Publishing Industry Broken?

As houses across the industry start recalling staff to their offices, publishing professionals are pushing back against low pay, heavy workloads, and an increasingly stifled corporate environment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-02 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


How to Get Published

The mainstream publishing industry is intimidating. How does a writer break in? Follow Jessamine Chan’s “The School for Good Mothers” through the roller coaster of its creation. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-08-25 18:20:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Lit Agents Say S&S Acquisition Would be Bad for Business

A survey released by the Association of American Literary Agents has found that 87% of respondents oppose the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House, citing, among their chief concerns, that the deal would result in “less competition” for titles and “lower advances.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Penguin Random House’s C.E.O. Defends Bid to Buy Simon & Schuster

Madeline McIntosh argued that the publishing industry extends far beyond its biggest players, and that the government has focused on a tiny sliver of deals. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-08-15 22:30:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Rushdie Attack: IPA Calls for ‘Redoubling Our Commitment’

As Salman Rushdie struggles with his injuries, the world publishing industry demands protection for the freedom to publish. The post Rushdie Attack: IPA Calls for ‘Redoubling Our Commitment’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-15 14:59:48 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Richard Charkin: Dear Literary Agent

Richard Charkin offers 'a heartfelt apology,' writing that he now finds literary agents 'trusted go-betweens and understanding partners.' The post Richard Charkin: Dear Literary Agent appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-10 17:00:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this


AALA Names Weltz Director of the Board

In a changing of the guard, the Association of American Literary Agents has named a new director, with Jennifer Weltz stepping into a role that Gail Hochman had occupied for 20 years. With the move, the Jean V Naggar Literary agent becomes the next president of the board of the professional... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Showdown: DOJ’s Bid to Block PRH Acquisition of S&S Is Heading to Trial

With oral arguments set to begin on August 1, the closely watched case holds major implications for a publishing industry grappling with consolidation and for government regulators facing growing calls for more vigilant antitrust enforcement. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


How TikTok Became a Best Seller Machine

#BookTok, where enthusiastic readers share reading recommendations, has gone from being a novelty to becoming an anchor in the publishing industry and a dominant driver of fiction sales. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-01 13:38:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Rights Roundup: It Is Still Good To Be Max Seeck

News of rights sales from publishers and literary agents today come from England, Norway, Finland, Italy, and Germany. The post Rights Roundup: It Is Still Good To Be Max Seeck appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-06-17 21:18:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Frederick Douglass Books, a new imprint, will publish nonfiction by writers of color.

Forefront Books and the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives are teaming up to form Frederick Douglass Books, a publishing imprint meant to “establish a pathway for Black and Brown authors” into the publishing industry, the two organizations announced in a press release last week. The imprint... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-06-16 13:04:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


U.S. Book Show: Pondering a Healthy Publishing Industry

Panelists addressing the issue of what a healthy publishing industry looks like concluded that, while the industry is suffering some severe aches and pains, creative remedies could bolster the book business—as long as industry leaders are willing to reimagine old formulas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


AALA Expands Membership Criteria, Updates Canon of Ethics

The Association of American Literary Agents has expanded its membership criteria and canon of ethics in an effort to create, as it explained, a "more equitable, participatory, diverse, and inclusive publishing community." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


When You Learn Your Mother Was a Serious Writer Only After She’s Gone

In March 2021, my mother, Nancy Bourne, a lifelong nonsmoker, died of lung cancer. Two weeks before that, though, as she cycled in and out of hospital wards, she was on her laptop sending off a flurry of query letters to literary agents asking for their help in selling her first novel. Six... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-05-06 08:52:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Black Lives Matter Spurs a Publishing Awakening

David Unger, director of the Publishing Certificate Program at the City College of New York, highlights how Black Lives Matter woke up the publishing industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Paper Shortage, Workforce Issues Tackled in Webinar

The publishing industry faces continuing supply chain issues and paper shortages, while another set of challenges has appeared in early 2022, in the form of employee resignations and work-life balance issues. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Heading to London Book Fair: Diversity in UK Publishing

As the UK publishing industry prepares for its annual encounter with many colleagues from other markets, a look at UK book business diversity. The post Heading to London Book Fair: Diversity in UK Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-01 19:24:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Agents Offer Predictions for Christian Publishing

Literary agents in Christian publishing identify hot trends for 2022, while urging publishers to diversify their lists and think about how to grow new authors who can take over for aging stars. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-03-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this