Five favourite books about the publishing world
Writing life: 56
I don’t know about you, but I have always been fascinated by the history of publishing. Perhaps that’s not surprising for a writer, but even so, the larger than life characters who created the modern publishing world of the 20th century, make for an endlessly interesting rollercoaster of a story, whether or not you’re a writer or reader. With this in mind, I thought you might be interested in a quick look at a few great books that, taken together, really tell at least a slice of the story (or history) of publishing in the United States and Canada.
To be clear, I’m no expert and this is certainly not an exhaustive reading list—how could five books be exhaustive? But below, I’ll introduce you to five books I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Reading them, as different as they are, gave me a much better understanding of the history of publishing and of at least some of the key players who worked tirelessly to protect, promote, and preserve a book-loving society. You might enjoy some of them, too.
Three books about American publishing
Firebrand: The Life of Horace Liveright
By Tom Dardis
I first came across Horace Liveright’s name when reading books about Ernest Hemingway. Boni & Liveright was first American house to publish the then relatively unknown Hemingway when his collection, In Our Time, was released in 1925. The story of Horace Liveright’s relationship with Hemingway and the ploy the young writer devised to extricate himself from any future obligations to Boni & Liveright so he could sign with Scribner’s for his first novel The Sun Also Rises, is the stuff of legend. (It also says something about Hemingway’s character.) The story is fully recounted in this great biography of Horace Liveright, a singular and influential figure who substantially changed the way books were published and marketed. Liveright was called many things, including a rogue, a con-artist, a philanderer, a dreamer—and did I mention con-artist?—but his bold vision, his creativity in promoting books, and his unshakeable commitment to his writers reshaped publishing in the early part of the last century. Many of Liveright’s innovations have become standard publishing practices today, particularly in the area of book marketing. A fascinating read.
I discovered this biography while browsing in an antique store on Prince Edward Island. It may be the best $15 I ever spent.
Max Perkins: Editor of Genius
By A. Scott Berg
Scott Berg is a brilliant writer who won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Charles Lindbergh, and the National Book Award for Editor of Genius about the life of Max Perkins, famed Scribner’s editor of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, among many others. Perkins had a special gift for recognizing literary talent at just the right moment to connect with the ever-evolving needs and wants of readers. He may well be the most famous editor of them all, at least in the annals of 20 century American publishing. I loved this book, though I came to it many years after it was first published in 1978.
The Perkins biography was adapted as a feature film in 2016 with Colin Firth playing the role of the famous editor. Jude law played the mercurial genius writer Thomas Wolfe, author of Look Homeward Angel. Much of the film illuminates their tumultuous relationship. But as is so often the case, while the film was great, I still enjoyed the book more.
Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing
By Charles Scribner III
Charles Scribner’s Sons is one of the most famous, not to mention oldest American publishing houses, founded in 1846. There has been a Scribner at the helm for five generations. The last Scribner to lead the house, Charles Scribner III wrote this lovely history of the famous publishing dynasty. He writes very well and with such reverence for the history of the house and its impressive stable of authors including, as noted in earlier in this post, two of the most famous and enduring American writers, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. For any lover of publishing history, this is a must-read. Through the significant consolidation in publishing during the 1990s, Scribner’s has now become an imprint of Simon and Schuster.
Two books about Canadian publishing
Jack: A Life with Writers: The Story of Jack McClelland
By James King
Jack McClelland was the pioneering publisher of McClleland & Stewart, coincidentally my publisher. To say he was a character—and he could certainly be described in a variety of colourful terms—would be an understatement. Some would say he was bold, others reckless. But like Horace Liveright, he was a great champion for writers and books. His stunts and promotional creativity made him famous for some, notorious for others. But you can’t question his passion for publishing, Canadian writers, and Canadian literature.
This book is an interesting read and gives you a clear sense of the man, his virtues and foibles. Well worth reading if you’re interested in publishing and the birth and growth of the CanLit scene.
Stories About Storytellers
By Douglas Gibson
You have seen this Canadian publishing legend and this book in a previous post early this year when I wrote about Doug Gibson, the editor of my first six novels and very good friend. Doug had a long and illustrious career as an editor and publisher, particularly at McClelland & Stewart where he had his own imprint, Douglas Gibson Books. He served as editor for some of Canada’s greatest writers including Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, W. O. Mitchell, Mavis Gallant, and three Canadian Prime Ministers.
After retiring, I think it was inevitable that Doug would turn to writing a book of his own—or three books. My favourite of his books is Stories about Storytellers wherein he writes about the extraordinary Canadian writers he edited and published over the years. This book is chock full of wonderful stories that put you right in the room with Doug as he works with his writers. A wonderful read.
Wrapping up…
In the here and now, publishing—and really every part of the publishing ecosystem from bookstores (independent and the big box retailers) to book-related media and writers, too—is struggling as much as, and perhaps more than, it ever has. But publishers and writers and readers persevere. It makes me want to run right out and buy a book!
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...and if we add fiction, and why not, there is my favourite Scoop by Evelyn Waugh
We need more of these kind of visionary editors and publishers in the current book business.