Crown Hosts NYU Students for an Inside Look at the Making of a Book That Matters
April 20, 2018
A contingent of 28 students from the NYU School of Professional Studies, led by Andrea Chambers, Director of NYU’s Center for Publishing, visited the Crown Publishing Group offices at 1745 Broadway on Friday, April 6, to learn about and discuss a forthcoming Fall 2018 title, THIRST by Scott Harrison, to be published on October 2 by CPG imprint Currency. The book is an inspiring personal story of redemption, second chances, and the transformative power of change, from the founder and CEO of the successful nonprofit charity: water.
TRUE ROOTS: First Rodale Books NY Times Bestseller from Crown Publishing
April 16, 2018
The Crown Publishing Group is celebrating an historic milestone: its first New York Times bestseller since the venerable wellness publisher became an imprint within its division earlier this year. Rodale Books’ TRUE ROOTS by Kristin Cavallari debuts at #3 on the NYT April 22 Advice, How-to, and Miscellaneous list.
Rodale Books’ Adult nonfiction publishing program is part of Crown’s Illustrated and Lifestyle division, whose other imprints are Clarkson Potter, Ten Speed Press, and Harmony Books. Aaron Wehner, who oversees the division as Publisher, described this occasion as “really thrilling,” adding that “special notice is due to several of our new colleagues--editor Dervla Kelly, originating publisher Gail Gonzales, and marketer Brianne Sperber—with a big assist from the Harmony team under Diana Baroni, Vice President, Associate Publisher, Editorial Director, who is also responsible for Rodale Books. TRUE ROOTS is a terrific book, published by a terrific team, and it should continue to roll.” Hogarth’s Alexis Washam on How Jo Nesbø Transformed MACBETH
April 12, 2018
The newest novel in the Hogarth Shakespeare Series is Jo Nesbø’s MACBETH, published on April 10. Set in the 1970s in a run-down, rainy industrial town, this gripping transformative take on one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays centers around a police force struggling to shed an incessant drug problem. Creating an engrossing story of love and guilt, political ambition, and greed for more, Nesbø explores the darkest corners of human nature, and the aspirations of the criminal mind.
In this “Three Questions for an Editor” interview, Alexis Washam, Executive Editor, Crown Publishers and Hogarth, offers insights into the Hogarth Shakespeare Series, the process of working with Nesbø on this project, and how readers may embrace the remarkable novel that was created. Read on.
When we first conceived of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, my colleagues here and in the UK agreed that we wanted to give the participating authors as much latitude as possible on this project. When we approached Jo, we asked him which Shakespeare play he would be most excited about retelling, and when he came back with MACBETH, we were both thrilled and not entirely surprised. It is, after all, one of the Bard’s bloodiest. Once we matched the author with the play, there was very little directive – basically, “write a novel!” - and I’ve been amazed to see how each book has come back with its author’s own unique take on his or her play. Nesbø is no different – he took a timeless tale of ambition and madness and set it in a police department in an atmospheric port town, and the result is a page-turning thriller that stands up to the best of them.
How would you describe working with the author as his editor as this book came to be?
[caption id="attachment_110713" align="alignright" width="197"]
Alexis Washam[/caption]
It’s been a true honor to work with all of the authors on our Hogarth Shakespeare list, and each of them has been incredibly open and gracious about the editorial process. All of the books in the series are published in collaboration with my colleagues at Hogarth UK, so in the case of MACBETH, Jo delivered his manuscript, fully finished and translated by Don Bartlett, to myself and the UK editor at the same time. We both read it at once (it was exciting to be one of the first to read a new Nesbø novel!), and then sent along our editorial notes to Jo and his agent. There was not very much that needed changing, as you can imagine. But he took our thoughts into consideration, and we did a small bit of work on the opening chapter in particular. Since the setting and the cast of characters would be new to Nesbø fans, we wanted to make sure we got the first pages exactly right, so they’d be instantly drawn in.
We also had a conversation about the title: MACBETH is the only book in our series that shares its title with the play. At first, we weren’t sure about this exception, but after reading the manuscript it made sense. Since Jo had kept the names of the characters (he’s the only one who has done so, at least to this extent), we decided to stick with it. And it looks fantastic on a book cover!
What elements of Nesbø’s MACBETH do you think will resonate with longtime fans of his Harry Hole novels as well as readers – particularly Shakespeare devotees – who may be coming to his fiction for the first time?
Jo Nesbø’s novels are not just pulse-racing thrillers; his work has always explored the darkness and evil that is present in any seemingly functional society, and the chaos and infighting that serves as the backdrop to his MACBETH should be familiar to any fan of the play. Also, of course neither the play nor Nesbø’s work are strangers to violence – man’s worst impulses often result in murder and violent crime, and the Harry Hole novels and this new book make those acts of violence central to their plots. However, neither Nesbø nor Shakespeare was interested in bloodshed for its own sake; both in the original play and the novel, the character Macbeth’s deepest psychological demons and personal failings make for a compelling tale of a tragic fallen man. 4 of Our Books Shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award
April 9, 2018
The 10 finalists for the 2018 International Dublin Literary Award have been announced, the shortlist including 4 authors and their books published in the U.S. by Penguin Random House imprints. Sponsored by the Dublin City Council and managed by Dublin City Libraries, the international competition receives its nominations from public libraries in cities around the world and recognizes both writers and translators.
HUMAN ACTS by Han Kang; translated from Korean by Deborah Smith (Hogarth)
THE LESSER BOHEMIANS by Eimear McBride (Hogarth)
LADIVINE by Marie Ndiaye; translated from French by Jordan Stump (Alfred A. Knopf)
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout (Random House)
To view the complete list of 2018 International Dublin Literary Award finalists, click here.
To read an Irish Times article by Hogarth author John Boyne about this year’s shortlist, click here. Hogarth Author Anthony Marra Wins the Simpson Family Literary Prize
April 9, 2018
Hogarth author Anthony Marra has won the Simpson Family Literary Prize, which honors mid-career authors who have earned a distinguished reputation with a $50,000 cash award to encourage and support forthcoming work. Now in its second year, the Simpson Prize is administered by the University of California, Berkeley English Department and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation. As the prize winner, Marra will give a public reading, make a limited number of Bay Area public appearances, and be in brief residence at the Lafayette Library and UC Berkeley.
Anthony Marra, credit Smeeta Mahanti[/caption]
Marra responded: "I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the 2nd annual Simpson Family Literary Prize. I will use the time this opportunity affords to finish my current project, a historical novel about the community of European refugees and exiles in 1940s Hollywood.
“This is my first work set in America, and though mid-century Los Angeles (‘Sunny Siberia,’ as exiles called it) is new terrain, this novel is preoccupied with the same concerns as my previous books: political coercion, historical amnesia, and falsified realities. At a time when these themes dominate American political life, this novel and the questions it raises feel all the more urgent to me. I look forward to discussing this and more in engagements with the Berkeley English Department and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
“My current novel, like THE TSAR OF LOVE AND TECHNO and A CONSTELLATION OF VITAL PHENOMENA, is structured as a tapestry of interwoven narratives and voices. It’s an architecture I’m drawn to because it suggests that storytelling is communal. And so it gives me tremendous pride to think that the little thread of my life has been woven into the larger story of the Simpson Family Literary Project.” Crown Author Lauren Markham Wins the 2018 Ridenhour Book Prize for THE FAR AWAY BROTHERS
March 26, 2018
Lauren Markham, author of THE FAR AWAY BROTHERS: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life (Crown), has won the 2018 Ridenhour Book Prize, among the awards given annually for the past 15 years to extraordinary individuals “who persevere in the act of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice, or illuminate a more just vision of society,” by the Nation Institute, Fertel Foundation, and Stewart R. Mott Foundation.
WaterBrook’s Andrew Stoddard Opens Windows Into Brian Houston’s New Book
March 22, 2018
“I’m certain that THERE IS MORE is going to be one of those books I remember working on for the rest of my career,” said Andrew Stoddard, Lead Acquisitions Editor for WaterBrook, in this Three Questions for an Editor interview. Mr. Stoddard takes us inside the formative phases, the creative process, and why WaterBrook was the best home for this new book by Brian Houston – the founder and Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, considered by many to be a leading voice in the shaping of contemporary leadership values and church culture. Pastor Houston shows how it is possible for anyone to live life with greater expectancy. “Creative. Collaborative. Conscious of how the world is, but fiercely focused on the future – and a brighter future at that … it was encouraging to work with such a talented and overwhelming positive voice,” is how Mr. Stoddard described the author/editor process. For the complete Three Questions interview, read on.
Andrew Stoddard[/caption]
Creative. Collaborative. Conscious of how the world is, but fiercely focused on the future – and a brighter future at that. I am deeply impressed by the creative energy, excitement, and precision in craft that comes from Brian and the entire Hillsong team. He is dedicated to carefully understanding his audience and simultaneously passionate about an unflinching delivery of his core message. It was encouraging to work with such a talented and overwhelming positive voice. I’m certain that THERE IS MORE is going to be one of those books I remember working on for the rest of my career.
Why is WaterBrook the best home for THERE IS MORE and which of Brian’s messages do you think will resonate most strongly with readers?
WaterBrook provides a unique, individualized experience for authors like Brian Houston. We are fortunate to have similar passions and convictions as our authors, a precise understanding of the market place and our readers, and the reach established by the cutting edge best-practices of Penguin Random House. We are uniquely positioned to help serve authors that have global audiences and carefully staffed to serve the specific messaging and communications needs of our faith-based voices.
Each chapter of this book draws on a specific need in different areas of life; ultimately pointing to God’s more for the reader in those spheres. In particular though, I believe chapter 6, “Appointment and Disappointment,” will resonate deeply with a vast array of readers. Houston shows through some of his own life experiences and through Scripture how God can transform each of our deepest disappointments into appointments (or opportunities). What’s brilliant about his approach is that he moves well beyond the realm of aphorisms and into the nitty-gritty of life. Much more than a formula, or positivistic wishfulness, Houston acknowledges the hard parts and painful moments of human existence, but then helps the reader encounter a greater reality – most impactfully, he addresses disappointments that have resulted from our poor decisions, and then he reminds us whole-heartedly that nothing we do can disqualify us from God’s calling on our lives. That’s something that I hope sticks with everyone that picks up this book.
Our Finalists for the 2018 James Beard Foundation Awards
March 16, 2018
The James Beard Foundation has announced the finalists for its 2018 Cookbook, Journalism, Broadcast Media, and Restaurant & Chef Awards. Among the finalists are a fleet of our authors and books published by Penguin Random House imprints Clarkson Potter, Ten Speed Press, and Pam Krauss Books, as well as Taste . The winners of the Cookbook and Media awards will be announced in New York on April 27, and the Chef awards will be announced in Chicago on May 7. Click here to view the complete list of nominees.
American
THE LOST KITCHEN by Erin French (Clarkson Potter)
Baking and Desserts
SWEET by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh (Ten Speed Press)
THE SWEET SPOT: Dialing Back Sugar and Amping Up Flavor by Bill Yosses and Peter Kaminsky (Pam Krauss Books)
Beverage
3-INGREDIENT COCKTAILS by Robert Simonson (Ten Speed Press)
MEEHAN'S BARTENDER MANUAL by Jim Meehan (Ten Speed Press)
General
DINNER by Melissa Clark (Clarkson Potter)
International
NOPALITO by Gonzalo Guzman and Stacy Adimando (Ten Speed Press)
Photography
SWEET by Peden + Munk (Ten Speed Press)
Reference, History, and Scholarship
CHAMPAGNE by Peter Liem (Ten Speed Press)
PEPPERS OF THE AMERICAS by Maricel E. Presilla (Lorena Jones Books)
Restaurant and Professional
STATE BIRD PROVISIONS by Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski (Ten Speed Press)
Single Subject
THE PHO COOKBOOK by Andrea Nguyen (Ten Speed Press)
OFFAL GOOD by Chris Cosentino (Clarkson Potter)
Vegetable-Focused Cooking
THE BOOK OF GREENS by Jenn Louis (Ten Speed Press)
IN MY KITCHEN by Deborah Madison (Ten Speed Press)
Our Journalism Award Finalists
Columns
Scott Hocker, “The Eton Mess Is Beautiful”; “Hot Night, Cold Soup”; and “Bread Soup from the Lost Years,” Taste
Food Section
Paolo Lucchesi and the San Francisco Chronicle Food and Wine Team
(A Burger to Believe In, Ten Speed Press)
Innovative Storytelling
Melissa Clark, “The New Essentials of French Cooking,” The New York Times
(Dinner, Clarkson Potter)
Profile
Mayukh Sen, “She Was a Soul Food Sensation,” Food52
(Food52 Any Night Grilling, Ten Speed Press)
Rebecca Flint Marx, “The Untold Story of the Lady from Louisville,” Taste
MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award
Shane Mitchell, “Who Owns Uncle Ben?,” The Bitter Southerner
(Far Afield, Ten Speed Press)
Our Broadcast Media Awards Finalists
Outstanding Personality Host
"Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro," Ina Garten, Food Network
(Cooking with Jeffrey, Clarkson Potter)
Television Program, in Studio or Fixed Location
"Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro," Ina Garten, Food Network
(Cooking with Jeffrey, Clarkson Potter)
"The Bobby and Damaris Show," Bobby Flay, Food Network
(Bobby Flay Fit, Clarkson Potter)
Video Webcast, on Location
Working 24 Hours at. . . , Andrew Knowlton, You Tube and Bon Appetit Video
(Dinner at the Long Table, Ten Speed Press)
Our Restaurant & Chef Awards Finalists
Best New Restaurant
Christopher Kostow, The Charter Oak (A New Napa Cuisine, Ten Speed Press)
Alex Stupak, Empellon Midtown (Tacos, Clarkson Potter)
Outstanding Baker
Maura Kilpatrick, Oleana (Soframiz, Ten Speed Press)
Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread (Cheers to the Publican, Lorena Jones Books)
Outstanding Bar Program
Bar Agricole (By the Smoke and the Smell by Thaddeus Vogler, Ten Speed Press)
Clyde Common (Drinking Distilled by Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Ten Speed Press)
Outstanding Chef
Ashley Christensen, Poole’s Diner (Poole’s, Ten Speed Press)
David Kinch, Manresa, (Manresa, Ten Speed Press)
Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood (A New Napa Cuisine, Ten Speed Press)
Donald Link, Herbsaint (Down South, Clarkson Potter)
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Margarita Manzke, Republique (forthcoming Baking at Republique, Lorena Jones Books)
Outstanding Restaurant
Frasca Food and Wine (forthcoming Frasca, Ten Speed Press)
Balthazar (The Balthazar Cookbook by Keith McNally, Clarkson Potter)
Best Chef: New York City
Amanda Cohen, Dirt Candy (Dirt Candy, Clarkson Potter)
Alex Stupak, Empellon Midtown (Tacos, Clarkson Potter)
Best Chef: Great Lakes
Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice (The Adventures of Fat Rice, Ten Speed Press)
Best Chef: South
Slade Rushing, Brennan’s (Southern Comfort, Ten Speed Press)
Watch New Trailer for READY PLAYER ONE Movie
March 16, 2018
The countdown continues to March 29, when the Steven Spielberg-directed film adaptation of Ernest Cline’s #1 bestselling book READY PLAYER ONE (Broadway) will open in theaters nationwide. The world premiere was at this week’s South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, where Mr. Cline was a featured speaker. Janet Pierson, director of film at SXSW, commented, “The film brings to the screen a story that has captivated millions of readers around the globe, written by Austin’s very own Ernest Cline.” To help further ratchet up fan enthusiasm, Warner Bros. Pictures has debuted a new READY PLAYER ONE “Dreamer” trailer: “Save the Oasis. Save the world.”
Our Publishing Triangle Awards Finalists
March 15, 2018
Finalists for the 30th annual Publishing Triangle Awards have been announced, honoring the best LGBTQ fiction, nonfiction and poetry published in 2017, as well as the year’s best trans and gender-variant literature. Winners will be celebrated April 26 at a ceremony in New York City.
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