Inkitt Free Novel Writing Competition 2017
firstwriter.com – Wednesday May 31, 2017
Inkitt is now accepting submissions of novels of 20,000 words and over for its Free Novel Writing Competition: an ongoing writing competition which every month selects a new novel for publication.
The competition is free to enter, and is open to any genre of novel, and writers from anywhere in the world.
Horowitz's UK publisher says it did not warn author off creating black character
thebookseller.com – Monday May 22, 2017
Anthony Horowitz's children's publisher, Walker, has said it would not instruct authors on whether or not to include characters of a different race or background in their books. Walker's assertion follows Horowitz's claim he was "warned off" by publishers from writing a black character in an upcoming book out of concern it would be "inappropriate" for him as a white writer.
New £10,000 award for indie publishers launches
thebookseller.com – Thursday May 11, 2017
The Clarissa Luard Award, a new £10,000 award for independent publishing, has been set up by Arts Council England to recognise the contribution that small publishers make to literature and to celebrate the "adventurousness, innovative spirit and creativity" of independent literary publishing.
Religion Publishers See Growth in Children’s Books
publishersweekly.com – Wednesday May 10, 2017
New research shows that storybook Bibles, board books, and children’s devotionals are among the most popular books on the market in religion today, and Christian publishers are taking heed.
NPD BookScan presented a report at the 2016 Children’s Book Summit that revealed a compound annual growth rate of 4% in the children’s market from 2004-2015. (At the time the report was issued, BookScan was owned by Nielsen; in January, NPD Group acquired the research company.) Children’s religion book sales have jumped 22% from 2013-2016, according to BookScan (which tracks roughly 80% of print sales). The same report indicated that 11 of the top 20 bestselling religion titles from 2015-2016 were board books, while six were Bible storybooks.
Record year for UK publishing
printweek.com – Saturday April 29, 2017
2016 was a record-breaking year for the UK publishing industry, according to the latest figures from the Publishers Association.
Sales of books and journals reached £4.8bn last year – their highest ever level. The increase in sales of 7% on the previous year is the largest growth in a decade, when in 2007 digital was included for the first time.
Physical book sales grew by 8% to £3bn, rising to the highest level since 2012. Overall digital sales, meanwhile, grew by 6% to £1.7bn despite a continuation of the drop in e-book sales, which fell by 3% to £538m.
Famous novelist turned down by over 100 publishers dies
usatoday.com – Thursday April 27, 2017
It was a novel that made history after it was turned down by more than 100 publishers. Robert Pirsig, author of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” has died. He was 88-years-old. Aaron Dickens reports.
David Mamet to Teach Online Drama Writing Course
variety.com – Thursday April 20, 2017
David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director of such works as “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “American Buffalo,” and “Wag the Dog” will offer his first-ever online writing class through Silicon Valley startup MasterClass.
The class, which will cost $90, will launch later in the spring. In the course, Mamet will teach writing for both the theater and screen, with lessons on how to structure a plot, create compelling characters, write dialogue, and create a compelling scene. Pre-enrollment for Mamet’s class is open now (at this link).
Publishers Did Marginally Better in 2016
publishersweekly.com – Sunday April 2, 2017
Four of the five large publicly held trade publishers managed to improve their operating margins in 2016 over 2015, despite generally weak revenue performances.
Penguin Random House, which reported its results last week, saw revenue fall 9.6% in 2016, to €3.36 billion, but since EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) dropped only 3.6%, its operating margin in the year rose to 16%, from 15% in 2015. In a letter to employees, PRH CEO Markus Dohle said that a key to maintaining strong profitability levels has been the company’s commitment to “preserving a vital and vibrant bookselling community” as well as “maximizing efficiencies in our cutting-edge supply chain.” Dohle also noted PRH’s long-term commitment to print—“even when it was in decline earlier this decade”—and its use of technology to increase the reach of its books.
Could YOU be the next Agatha Christie? Now the Mail gives you the chance with the return of our novel writing competition that could land you a £20,000 book deal
dailymail.co.uk – Friday March 31, 2017
Have you ever dreamed of writing a book that becomes a bestseller? Could you be the next Agatha Christie, queen of the crime novel? Well, here's your chance to make that fantasy come true.
Last year, we launched the Daily Mail First Novel competition with the prize of a £20,000 publishing deal with one of the world's biggest and most respected publishers, Penguin Random House.
Short story contest – deadline delayed
firstwriter.com – Sunday March 26, 2017
The deadline for firstwriter.com's Thirteenth International Short Story Contest has been delayed by one month to May 1, 2017, to allow for last minute entries.
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