Why are writers being curbed by NSA surveillance?

PEN American Center's report "Chilling Effects," offers some disturbing data about the effect of government surveillance on free expression and self-censorship in the literary world.PEN American Center’s report “Chilling Effects,” officially released Tuesday morning, offers some disturbing data about the effect of government surveillance on free expression and self-censorship in the literary world. Of more than 520 American writers surveyed, 16% have avoided writing or speaking on what they consider controversial topics, and 11% “have considered doing so.” Continue reading at 'Los Angeles Times'

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Publisher finds that writers' influences are mostly male

When Tramp Press asked authors submitting manuscripts to name the writers who inspire them, only 22% were female - pointing again to ‘the larger issue in the industry: our habitual dismissal of women’An Irish publisher has stoked the flames of the gender debate currently running in the literary... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebooks are unfamiliar waters for digital pirates, according to UK survey

Publishing sector has the lowest level of illegal downloads in the entertainment industry, with book piracy at half the rate of copyright theft in film and musicFor publishers, fresh from winning a landmark ruling forcing internet service providers to block illegal ebook download sites in Russia... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Go Set a Watchman launch excitement builds ahead of publication

Harper Lee’s unexpected companion novel to To Kill a Mockingbird has bookshops readying for huge salesRead the first chapterListen to an extract read by Reese WitherspoonFirst chapter review: A beguiling journey into the pastSix months ago, it was a book the literary world would have laughed off... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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No men allowed: publisher accepts novelist's 'year of women' challenge

Small press And Other Stories will produce no books by men in 2018 in answer to Kamila Shamsie’s call for direct action to beat gender bias in publishingSmall press And Other Stories has answered author Kamila Shamsie’s provocative call for a year of publishing women to redress “gender bias” in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2015: Celebrating Hijuelos—His Work Lives On

The sudden death of Oscar Hijuelos at age 62 in October 2013 was a shock to the literary world. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Death of Ion Trewin

Ion Trewin, literary director of the Booker Prize Foundation, has died. Trewin was diagnosed with cancer in October last year. His death today (8th April) was announced by the trustees of the Booker Prize Foundation. Jonathan Taylor, chair of the trustees of the Booker Prize Foundation, said:... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers bypass literary agents to discover bestseller talent

Cutting out the middlemen of the literary world can lead to the discovery of acclaimed authors such as Andrea BennettPublishers are playing literary agents at their own game, seeking out new talent for themselves and cutting out the industry’s powerful middlemen.Executives within HarperCollins,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Check it Out with Andrew Richard Albanese: Why Do People Challenge Books?

For many, the tragic events in Paris have highlighted the importance of free expression. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Attempt to ban performing artist’s abuse memoir ‘threatens free speech’

Artist is appealing against temporary injunction obtained by his ex-wife, who says book will be distressing for his son to readAn attempt to prevent a performing artist from publishing his memoir on the grounds that its contents would be distressing for his son to read has opened up “a new,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors, Literary Orgs Respond to 'Hebdo' Attack in Paris

After the attack at 'Charlie Hebdo,' PEN called for renewed efforts to protect "those working on the front lines of free expression.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ABFFE to Merge with ABA

To expand free speech programming for indie booksellers the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, will become a distinct group within the ABA on January 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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National Book Foundation selects '5 Under 35'

Authors such as Phil Klay and Valeria Luiselli were selected by past National Book Award winners as rising stars in the literary world. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ice Bucket Challenge comes to the literary world

The Ice Bucket Challenge, created to raise awareness of ALS, was taken by such book world figures as author Stephen King, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and author and indie bookstore supporter Stephen Colbert. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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MLRC Partners with ABFFE

The organization focused on the First Amendment will be working with the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression to provide speakers for bookstores during Banned Books Week, taking place this year September 21-27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Audio Book Club Meets Karl Ove

This month, Dan Kois, David Haglund, and New York Times Book Review editor Parul Sehgal discuss My Struggle: Book One, the Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgaard’s six-book autobiographical epic. Can the endless accretion of detail a masterpiece make? Would people respond differently to this... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ireland’s Publishing Strength is in Tradition, Small Presses

Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, the chair of Irish PEN, outlines how Ireland continues to punch above its weight in the literary world. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donna Tartt's 'The Goldfinch' is the newest bestseller to weather backlash

In a cycle seemingly as old as the literary world itself, Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is now the subject of criticism after first experiencing major success. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-06-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ABFFE President Wins First Amendment Award

Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, has been awarded the 2014 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award for law. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Krosoczka to Host BEA Children’s Art Auction

Author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka will host the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression's 2014 children's book art auction and reception at BookExpo America. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AAP Stands With Pubs For Free Expression in India

In the wake of Wendy Doniger's book recall, the organization issued a statement of "solidarity with publishing colleagues in India" that calls for reform of the Indian penal codes. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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