What am I reading now? The Lemonman by Natasha Ferrill
Razorbill
On Monday, October 17, 2011, I was fortunate enough to interview Lynne Missen, Penguin’s newly appointed Publishing Director for Young Readers, regarding the launch of Razorbill in Canada. Our interview touched on what both Canadian and international readers can expect from Razorbill. And now, without further ado:
The Pen Stroke: When is the official launch date of Razorbill?
Lynne Missen: The launch of Razorbill is two-fold: Firstly, it will be marked with the paperback release of
Cathy Ostlere‘s
Karma. It’s a book about fifteen-year-old Maya who returns to her homeland of India after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Secondly, at the end of January 2012 a social media platform will be unveiled.
TPS: How many books will be published under the imprint annually?
LM: There will be half a dozen original content books. In addition, there will also be the release of second editions.
TPS: What types of books will be published under the imprint?
LM: Razorbill will be mainly comprised of young adult fiction for ages 12 and up.
TPS: How did the decision to launch Razorbill come about?
LM: It came from the desire to have an authentic and compelling voice. For that reason, readers will see a wide range of books being published under the imprint.
TPS: How does Razorbill plan to set itself apart from other imprints?
LM: We plan on making Razorbill the go to list. The aim is to foster a logo that will be recognized and respected by both teens and adults.
TPS: I’ve heard that Razorbill will be publishing Joseph Boyden’s latest novel. Can you speak about that?
LM: We are really excited about this. Boyden’s book will be based on his short story
Turtle Island published in
The Globe and Mail in July 2011.
Turtle Island is about a young boy caught between the contemporary life of gangs and the struggle to come to terms with his Native heritage.
TPS: Can you shed light on some of the other authors you’ll be publishing?
LM: Scot Gardener, Hiromi Goto, Charles de Lint, Carrie Mac, Mariko Tamaki and Emily Pohl-Weary, to name a few.
TPS: With the increasing popularity of eReaders, will Razorbill books be made available as eBooks?
LM: Absolutely.
TPS: Earlier you mentioned a social media platform. Can you elaborate on what shape that will take?
LM: Razorbill.ca, a virtual community, will be a forum for readers and writers to discuss books as well as a platform that will allow them to share content and videos.
I would like to once again thank Lynne Missen for taking the time out of her
By: Maryann Yin,
on 3/23/2011
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National Post books editor Mark Medley (pictured, via) labeled himself a “book hoarder” in a new essay.
Here’s an excerpt: “I am unable to get rid of any of them. I own some terrible, terrible books — you wouldn’t believe how many crap books get published in this country — but cannot, for the life of me, part with a single one. I am a book hoarder, which, in my line of work, is a troublesome problem to have … Just now, I walked over to the part of the office where mail to me is delivered and counted 15 large containers filled with packages; these have come in the past three or four days. My first impression, upon seeing so many new books in one place, is to dive into them headfirst, like Scrooge McDuck into his vault of gold bullions.”
Do you share his affliction? Twitter research revealed that Medley is not alone. Author Robert Wiersema admitted that he rented a basement suite to use as a study and it now contains “piles of books on the floor and every horizontal surface.” Freehand Books editor Robyn Read regularly shops at garage sales to add to her collection.
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