Henning Mankell, 67, author of Kurt Wallander series of detective novels and over 40 works of fiction and theater, died Monday from complications of neck and lung cancer. Mankell’s crime novels sold more than 40 million copies around the world and were filmed as series for Swedish TV and the BBC (the latter starring Kenneth Branagh.) A spokeperson for his UK publishers Harvill Secker said in a statement: “Beloved by readers across the world, especially for his Kurt Wallander series, it was a privilege to have worked with a man of such talent and passion, and to have been his UK publisher for so many years. He was an inspiration not just as a writer, but as someone who always stood up for the rights of others. He will be so very sorely missed. The world is a sadder place for having lost such a charismatic and honorable man.”
Anthony Ziccardi has joined Post Hill Press as publisher. Previously he was publisher at Humanix Books. In addition, Gavin Caruthers has been named associate publisher. He was most recently a buyer at B&N College and earlier held various sales positions at Simon & Schuster
Katy Boatman has joined B&H Publishing as marketing strategist, women’s trade books. Previously she was assistant marketing manager at Thomas Nelson.
Awards
Canada’s Giller Prize announced its shortlist Monday morning (delayed after a gas leak forced a venue move):
Fifteen Dogs by Andre Alexis (Coach House)
Arvida by Samuel Archibald (Biblioasis)
Outline by Rachel Cusk (HarperCollins Canada/FSG)
Daydreams of Angels by Heather O’Neill (HarperCollins Canada/FSG)
Martin John by Anakana Schofield (Biblioasis)
The Nobel Prize for Literature will be announced on Thursday morning at 11 AM GMT (or 6 AM Eastern). Sports betting website Ladbrokes currently lists Belarus author and journalist Svetlana Alexeivitch as the favorite, at 5-1, with Haruki Murakami and Ngugi Wa Thiong’o at 6-1.