We all have our favourite books: the dog-eared with bent spines, the revered stack sitting proudly on the mantlepiece, and the ones you just can’t wait to press into everyone’s hands.
You’ve read them cover to cover, but – here’s a question – have you ever read the acknowledgements page? If so, you’ll know it takes many people to create that wonderful bound item in your hands. Some authors will credit their editors, of course, perhaps their agent or even writing group. Others will thank profusely their marketing teams, their peers, the cover designer and even talk at length about the typeface. If that strikes you as interesting, you’re in good company.
Welcome to Written Approval, by me Julie Vuong. I’m so pleased you are here.
In this newsletter I’ll be talking to the names that might not grace the book covers, but whose fingerprints are on every page.
They are the unseen hands behind the books you love, and they’ll be talking about their favourite reads here. You don’t need to be part of the publishing crowd to sign up, just a healthy desire to add to your reading stack.
Here’s what you can expect: a monthly portrait of a life in books, giveaways and updates on what’s new or newsworthy.
This was a big leap of faith for me. I’m a books and literature journalist who’s happy to write to other people’s brief, but never my own. It’s not until recently (mainly since having a baby and work became more focused) that my mindset changed. And of course like so many others across the world, my work has been affected by the coronavirus. So this newsletter is my own small space to share stories directly with you.
Some in the books industry will know me for my fortnightly interviews on BookBrunch, where I talk to influential people in the trade. We cover business trends and the ins and outs of publishing but not normally the plain and simple joy of reading. So while those parts of the interview don’t end up in print, they will find their way here and into your inboxes every month.
The first edition will land next month and right now it’s free. And in the meantime, if you like the sound of Written Approval, I would love if you could hit subscribe or spread the word.
Julie
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Sign up now so you don’t miss the first issue.
In the meantime, tell your friends!