Why all writers are vain

I’ve met, interviewed and shared stages with many authors over the years, and seen all too many signs of pride and oversensitivity to criticism. There is an inherent egotism in believing your voice matters – but that’s no reason not to put pen to paperMany years ago, when I had just started writing books about philosophy, I got talking to two of my newly acquired peers. I asked one what he was currently working on, which as conversational gambits go is about as original as asking a novelist where she gets her ideas from. Having heard his answer, I perhaps tactlessly noted that quite a lot of books had recently appeared on this subject. “Yes,” he said, “but I really do think mine will be the best.”“Really?” I asked, perhaps too incredulously. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #put pen #recently appeared

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Why all writers are vain'


Bernie Corbett steps down at Writers' Guild

Bernie Corbett, general secretary of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, has stepped down after 15 years at the helm of the trade union. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #general secretary #great britain


We Need More Diverse Superheroes!: PW Talks with ‘Power Man’ Writer David Walker

Veteran African American pop culture writer David Walker discusses writing for two popular black comic book superheroes: DC's half-man/half-machine, Cyborg, and Marvel's Luke Cage, aka Power Man. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #luke cage


Indie writers’ dismay at Author HQ

Self-published writers have voiced disgruntlement about a perceived sidelining of the Author HQ area at London Book Fair, calling it a “step backwards” for the independent author movement. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #indie writers #self-published writers


Baltic Crossroads at London Book Fair: Writers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

'We are a little isolationist,' Ivars Ījabs says to fellow from the Baltics in a session of constructive candor on 'the paradox of the open culture' at London Book Fair. The post Baltic Crossroads at London Book Fair: Writers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


AWP 2016: Writers Walking the Talk About Diversity in Children's Publishing

This year's AWP, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from March 31–April 2, was a vibrant mélange of multicultural voices. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


My Job In 5; Miles Salter, Writer and Director, York Literature festival

I Interviewed Miles about his role heading up York Literature Festival and how he sees the festival expanding.  He also has some great advice for those looking for a job in books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


AWP 2016 in Photos: Publishers, Writers, and Readers Meet Up in L.A.

Photos from the book fair and panels at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference, held this year at the L.A. Convention center in downtown Los Angeles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fair #convention center


A writer's solitude vs. AWP: Viet Thanh Nguyen on what we share with others

Writers tend to be solitary creatures, and yet more than 12,000 will congregate in Los Angeles this week. The occasion is the annual conference of the Assn. of Writers and Writing Programs, or AWP, which also draws other literary kin, the teachers, editors, publishers, critics and booksellers who... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #annual conference #writing programs


Carlsen and Tolino Team Up to Scout for New Writers

Spanning the traditional vs. self-publishing divide, German publisher Carlsen and self-publishing platform Tolino Media will jointly host a writing content to recognize emerging talent. The post Carlsen and Tolino Team Up to Scout for New Writers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #writers appeared


Syrian writer Yazbek longlisted for Orwell Prize

Syrian author Samar Yazbek has made the Orwell Prize longlist for The Crossing, which tells of the journalist’s attempts to get back into her country after being exiled by president Bashar al-Assad. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #orwell prize


Five writers who inspire me

On International Women’s Day, Sheila O’Reilly on the writers who have inspired her. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #international women


In 'The Violet Hour,' Katie Roiphe looks at five great writers shuffling off this mortal coil

Mortality is hot. Although the act of dying has largely been moved from our homes and daily lives into the sequestered, antiseptic realm of hospitals and hospices, memoirs grappling with impending death have proliferated, bringing mortal knowledge home in a new way. Two doctors, Oliver Sacks and... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-03-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #daily lives #oliver sacks


Keeping writers central

The Society of Authors chief executive officer talks about campaigning to get the best deals for her members—and why she favours the direct approach. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #direct approach


Literary Magazines As Training Ground for Readers, Writers and Publishers

South African writer and literary magazine publisher Nick Mulgrew discusses how literary magazines are perfect training for pursuing more ambitious projects. The post Literary Magazines As Training Ground for Readers, Writers and Publishers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishers appeared #literary magazines


Howe wins Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer award

British poet Sarah Howe has been awarded The Sunday Times/ Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award for her first collection of poems, Loop of Jade (Chatto & Windus), described as an “enthralling personal exploration of her dual heritage." Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Fitzcarraldo launches prize for unpublished writers

Fitzcarraldo Editions has launched The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize, a new annual essay award for unpublished writers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #unpublished writers #fitzcarraldo editions


Zimbabwe Writers Battle Disinterest With Literary Festival

Writers in Zimbabwe have created a traveling book fair and are marshaling social media to build direct bonds with impoverished readers. The post Zimbabwe Writers Battle Disinterest With Literary Festival appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #literary festival


Author Day: Writers are 'divided into two camps'

Authors are divided into two camps – those who self-publish and those who are traditionally-published, and the “eternal debate” over which is superior should end, The Bookseller’s Author Day has heard. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #author day


World Book Night defends lack of BAME writers on 2016 list

The Reading Agency has responded to criticism about the lack of ethnic diversity among authors chosen for the World Book Night 2016 list, saying it is a “great shame” that there are no Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) writers included. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-11-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bame writers #reading agency #ethnic diversity #great shame