An Irishman in London, Eoin Purcell moved from Dublin almost four years ago to become head of Amazon Publishing UK. Today, he looks at the industry’s many urgent issues calmly: time is on his side.
Industry Notes: ‘Words Without Borders’ at 15; Riggio, Kinney at BookExpo, BookCon
Bringing forward literature that would be ‘shipwrecked without a translator,’ Words Without Borders observes 15 years while BookExpo announces Len Riggio’s keynote and BookCon adds interactivity to Jeff Kinney’s talk.
Latvia’s Kristaps Ozoliņš on Diversity and Rights: ‘Slightly Too Exotic’
The Latvian pubishing house Mansards has translated more than 60 works, and after our exchange with its lead editor Kristaps Ozoliņš, we look at some of the house’s rights action.
Publishing’s Darker Stories: Focusing on Freedom to Publish in London
In a never-before staged seminar event, London Book Fair this year presented a mini-conference on the freedom to publish with the International Publishers Association and featuring the widow of slain publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan.
BIEF’s Nicolas Roche on French Publishing in the World: ‘Meetings All Year Long’
About six months into his new role as managing director of the Bureau international de l’édition française, or BIEF, Nicolas Roche is leading the French publishing industry’s outreach program to open new markets and develop new readership for France’s literature.
With Fewer Debut Novels Selling, What Do Editors Want To Tell Authors?
In a tightening market for fiction and especially for debut authors looking for that big break, editors can be choosier—and many are more dependent than ever on literary agents to find their next debuts.
Katrin Reinmaa: The ‘Sun and Cloud’ of the Estonian Children’s Book Business
Today, only some 30 percent of Estonian children’s literature originates in Estonia. Päike ja Pilv is one of the leading publishers of content for youngsters, in a country where ‘books are expensive both to publish and to buy.’
Storytelling Competition from Film and Television: What Can Publishers Do?
Publishing’s traditional position as society’s main storytelling industry may be in jeopardy. At a Byte the Book session during London Book Fair, speakers discussed how publishers can remain competitive.
PEN’s Jennifer Clement on ‘Gun Love’ and Women’s Rights
PEN International president Jennifer Clement’s fourth novel, ‘Gun Love,’ is focused on the United States’ firearm culture and is set in Florida. At London Book Fair, she focused on that and on challenges in women’s equality.
China Literature Sees France, UK as Key Rights Buyers at London Book Fair
The massive numbers of literary works, readers, and writers behind China Literature and its online Qidian operation are behind the company’s efforts at foreign rights sales in books, film, and television.