Oneworld makes it two
Oscar Wilde would probably have something to say about Juliet Mabey and Novin Doostdar, the husband and wife who set up Oneworld in 1986. Last year, their author Marlon James won the Man Booker prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings. This year they won again with Paul Beatty – the first American author to snare the $79,000 prize – getting the nod for his racial satire, The Sellout. That's not a bad way to celebrate your 30th anniversary in the publishing business, particularly as Oneworld's initial focus was non-fiction. It now publishes more than 100 books a year. According to the publisher, "our fiction list showcases intelligent, challenging, and distinctive novels that sit at the intersection of the literary and the commercial: emotionally engaging stories with strong narratives and distinctive voices", which almost sums up the recipe for a Booker winner.
A big week for the Rubbos
Talking of prizes, Zoe Morrison won the Readings Prize last week for her debut novel, Music and Freedom. Readings' boss Mark Rubbo established the prize a couple of years ago, with the aim of backing "new and emerging writers". Previous winners are Ceridwen Dovey and Stephanie Bishop. It's quite a couple of weeks for Rubbo and family. Next week sees publication by Scribe of Kiffy Rubbo: Curating the 1970s, a collection of essays edited by Janine Burke and Helen Hughes about Mark Rubbo's late sister Kiffy's role as director of the George Paton Gallery and her wider influence on the visual arts world at the time. In addition to pieces from contributors such as Frances Lindsay and Jaynie Anderson, there is a selection of Kiffy's sparkling letters to her brother, Mike, who was clearly important in her life. While he will too no doubt rejoice in publication, there was another event this week that will please the elder Rubbo. In 2002 he made Much Ado about Something, a documentary arguing the case that Christopher Marlowe wrote the plays attributed to William Shakespeare. This week it was announced that the New Oxford Shakespeare will credit Henry VI, parts 1, 2 and 3 to Shakespeare and Marlowe.
Sisters ready to party
Crime buffs will be heading to St Kilda Town Hall to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sisters in Crime on November 19. There will be panels, pitching sessions and a celebratory debate. Among the writers are Kerry Greenwood, Emily Maguire, Melina Marchetta, L. A. Larkin, Emma Viskic and Lucy Sussex. The debate pitches women writers against men in that traditional topic "Dames V Dicks: Dicks should stick to writing hardboiled and dames should stick to writing cozies". On the men's side will be Robert Gott, Andrew Nette and Jock Serong. sisters in crime.org.au
Singer v stupidity
Melbourne moral philosopher Peter Singer has won Philosophy Now's award for contributions in the fight against stupidity. The award honours "individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to combating poor reasoning, unexamined assumptions and entrenched habits of thought".
