Books at Berlinale Issues Its 2022 Call for Submissions
publishingperspectives.com – Tuesday November 1, 2022
The annual Books at Berlinale program now is accepting submissions from film-rights holders for novels with high adaptation potential.
The Books at Berlinale program—long familiar to our Publishing Perspectives international readership—has issued its call for submissions for its 18th edition, scheduled to take place as a part of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, February 18 to 22.
A joint initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival and Frankfurter Buchmesse.
As usual, the 18th edition of “Books at Berlinale” will take place during the Berlinale as part of the of the Berlinale Co-Production Market (Feb 18-22, 2023).
As you know, the program selects 12 or so books to pitch to an audience of some 150 internationally established producers during the film festival.
US judge blocks $2.2bn Penguin Random House merger
theguardian.com – Tuesday November 1, 2022
A US judge has blocked the $2.2bn planned merger of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, with rival Simon & Schuster.
Judge Florence Pan of the US district court for the District of Columbia said in a brief order on Monday that she had found that the justice department had shown that the deal would “substantially” harm competition “in the market for the US publishing rights to anticipated top-selling books”.
Unlike most merger fights, which are focused on what consumers pay, this one focused on authors’ earnings. The US government argued that fewer publishing houses being in competition with each other would lead to lower advances for authors across the board, but focused on a small part of the market: bestselling writers who were paid $250,000 or more.
New Literary Agent Listing: Saffron Dodd
firstwriter.com – Tuesday November 1, 2022
I’m looking for fully realised, immersive, and creative worlds with standout characters. I love middle-grade fantasy and I’m looking for something filled with adventure, magic, and intrigue, with a strong and distinct voice. In contemporary middle-grade, I’m looking for witty and sharp protagonists with something to say and an interesting perspective on the world. In YA, I lean towards fantasy but would also love a solid mystery thriller or a shenanigan filled rom-com that does or says something new. I’m also keen to see stories set in the UK during the transitional period between sixth form/college and university. Above all, I’m keen to see work from historically excluded and underrepresented writers in the UK.
Publishing: The Cancel Mob Targets Amy Coney Barrett's New Book | Mind Matters
mindmatters.ai – Sunday October 30, 2022
Last year, Mind Matters News covered the new phenomenon of publishing house staff going to war against the publisher’s own books. It’s a far cry from the days when publishers might have to defend their books in a courtroom. Last year the target was, among other authors, best-selling psychologist Jordan Peterson.
We were informed by Maclean’s Magazine that “Employees at Penguin Random House Canada speak out on how they’re rethinking their workplaces and why publishing, writ large, should weigh its moral responsibilities” in connection with Peterson’s latest, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (Penguin 2021).
The book did get published, despite them, to five star reviews. But Cancel Culture staff continue to lead the charge for “depublishing” and have succeeded with many less well known targets. Orwell Prize-winning author Kate Clanchy’s memoir was Canceled by its original publisher (though acquired by another. Blake Bailey’s biography of author Philip Roth was Canceled by W.W. Norton due to the author’s and subject’s Me Too sins. Young adult author Jessica Cluess was Canceled after she defended literary classics.
The latest attempt at big-name Cancelation is aimed at U.S. Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett. Early in 2021 she was signed by Penguin’s Sentinel imprint to write a book on her judicial philosophy and the reasoning behind her decisions.
New Literary Agent Listing: Kaitlyn Sanchez
firstwriter.com – Friday October 28, 2022
Looking for children’s books (picture books through YA) in all categories, including graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. Always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+. Loves working with artists, so she’s always on the lookout for great illustrators, author-illustrators, and graphic novelists. Generally leans PG and PG-13 for most submissions, though some intensity here and there is fine.
The Moth and Caterpillar magazines to cease publishing but prizes will continue
thebookseller.com – Thursday October 27, 2022
Arts and literature magazines the Moth and the Caterpillar will cease publishing next summer, its directors have announced, but the four literary prizes associated with the magazines will continue with increased prize pots.
Directors Rebecca O’Connor and Will Govan said: “We will have had 13 happy years. It feels like the right time to focus on things other than the publications.”
Govan said back issues of both magazines will be sold online so people can complete their vintage collections.
Dodd steps up at ASH Literary
thebookseller.com – Thursday October 27, 2022
Agency assistant at Saffron Dodd is being promoted to associate agent at ASH Literary, focusing on middle-grade and YA titles.
Taking up the new role on 1st January 2023, Dodd will be building her own list, prioritising UK creators, alongside agency founder Alice Sutherland-Hawes.
Sutherland-Hawes said: “Saffron joined the agency at the start of 2022 and has made a lasting impact on our clients and the work we do. Her passion and joy for the work has been wonderful to witness and I am so excited for her future with the agency. I can’t wait to welcome her clients to ASH Literary.”
Lee Child and Andrew Child on Discipline, Dread, and Writing Late at Night
crimereads.com – Wednesday October 26, 2022
Lee and Andrew Child’s new book, No Plan B, was released earlier today, so we asked them a few questions about writing routine, advice, and influence.
What time of day do you write (and why)?
Lee Child: I’m ruled by my biological clock, which mandates one unshakeable conclusion: nothing of value is ever achieved in the morning. Typically I get up late and spend a couple of hours moving from a comatose state into something resembling human life. Then I’ll start work about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I have learned to sense the point when quality starts to diminish, which is usually about 6 hours later, so I’ll stop then. Often I get a second energy peak around midnight, so I’ll do another couple of hours before bed, especially in the later stages when the story is really rolling. Usually a book takes between 80 and 90 working days, spread out over about 7 months.
Andrew Child: My favorite time to write is at night. I like it best when darkness falls and the world shrinks down to the size of the pool of light that spills from my laptop screen. That just leaves me alone with the story I’m telling, nothing to distract, nothing to interfere.
New Publisher Listing: Dahlia Books
firstwriter.com – Wednesday October 26, 2022
We are currently only accepting proposals for short fiction and short stories when presented as a collection from UK based writers. We are particularly keen on publishing diverse voices which are currently underrepresented in publishing.
25 Picture Prompts for Writing Scary Stories
nytimes.com – Tuesday October 25, 2022
Happy Halloween! Do you enjoy reading, watching or listening to horror stories? What about writing them?
To celebrate the season, we’ve rounded up 25 haunting photos and illustrations from around The New York Times that you can use as prompts to write your own terrifying tales. Choose an image and then use your imagination to write a short story or a poem inspired by it — or tell us about a memory from your own life that the picture makes you think of.
You can use these images however you like, but if you need more guidance, here are four prompts, as well as articles with advice from horror writers and experts, to get you started:
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