Kirkus Reviews has posted lists of their favorite books of 2010 across about 14 different categories. Below are their top 25 fiction and nonfiction selections: 2010 Best Fiction: The Top 25SUNSET PARK, Paul AusterEXLEY, Brock ClarkeTHE STORM, Margriet de MoorTHE PRIVILEGES, Jonathan DeePOINT OMEGA, Don DeLilloA VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD, Jennifer EganBEFORE YOU SUFFOCATE YOUR OWN FOOL SELF, Danielle EvansTHE BLINDNESS OF THE HEART, Julia FranckSNAKEWOMAN OF LITTLE EGYPT, Robert HellengaBEAUTIFUL MARÃA OF MY SOUL, Oscar HijuelosFAME, Daniel KehlmannTHE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, Stieg LarssonTHE SURRENDERED, Chang-rae LeeTHE ASK, Sam LipsyteTHE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET, […]
Book Version of Financial Crisis Commission Report Said to be Part of Partisan Rift
The forthcoming report from the Financial Crisis Commission continues to make news. First there was a celebration that they secured an advance and royalties for the authorized book version of the public document, from which they retreated after the first publishing deal with Little, Brown “failed to close,” and Public Affairs took over the US edition. Then the report itself was delayed until some time in January. Now, Bloomberg reports that Republican members of the panel “are planning to register a public protest” against postponing the December 15 deadline, “in part a reaction to a plan that would limit dissenting […]
Digital Book World to Honor Best eBooks and Apps
At January’s Digital Book World 2011 conference, a new series of Publishing Innovation Awards will be presented at the opening ceremony on the 24th to “recognize the best ebooks and book apps based on their merits in the areas of origination, development, production, design, and marketing.” Awards will be given in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, reference, children’s, and comics. The judging will come from a panel of independent developers, ebook producers, and publishers. For this year’s prizes, the judges will survey the field and select honorees, though in the future DBW plans to create an open submission process for publishers […]
Curtis Brown UK Launches Paid Writing Classes for Fiction Writers
The latest news item driving online commentary is the launch of a three-month novel-writing course by Curtis Brown UK, “the first and only new writing school to be run by a literary agency.” They charge 1,600 pounds, and promise to “consider” students’ for representation: “We don’t guarantee that we’ll offer representation but we do guarantee that every student’s work will be read by a Curtis Brown book agent and every student will receive a detailed critique on their work at the end of the course.” They also require that students give the agency an exclusive opportunity to consider their completed […]
People, Etc.
Former general manager, digital publishing at Adobe Bill McCoy will join the IDPF as executive director on January 9. Additionally, “in conjunction with Bill’s joining and anticipated future growth, the IDPF is establishing its office location in the Seattle, WA area.” Matthew Inman joins Hyperion as editor, having most recently been an associate editor at Harper. He will acquire a nonfiction list that includes business, politics, narrative, investigative journalism, and popular culture. Former publisher and consultant John Kilcullen and literary agent Wendy Strothman are both joining Copyright Clearance Center’s board of directors. Nikko Odiseos will take over from Peter Turner […]
People, Etc.: S&S Finds their Fiction Editor In-House, Taking Touchstone’s Todd
Touchstone editor-in-chief Trish Todd will leave that division after 15 years to move over to the Simon & Schuster adult trade imprint at the beginning of February. She will be executive editor, reporting to publisher Jon Karp. He writes, “to my surprise, I discovered the perfect choice right down the hallway” in his search for “a highly respected and experienced editor to acquire works of popular fiction, practical nonfiction and autobiography.” Karp adds, “In making the move to S&S, Trish recently expressed to me her desire to shift her focus away from management and return exclusively to her greatest joy, […]