Here is a round-up of some of the latest news in the world of writing, journalism and publishing.
South Africa: Kidnapped Journalist Returns Home After Three Years
South African photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed returned home on 3rd January after being held in captivity in Syria for three years. (IFJ)
Racism Dispute Roils Romance Writers Group
Eight board members and the former president of the organization have resigned amid outcry over how it handled a member’s criticism of another member’s book. (NY Times)
UK: BBC Journalist Wins Landmark Equal Pay Case
BBC presenter Samira Ahmed has won a landmark equal pay victory against the BBC. (IFJ)
Journalists Quit Iranian State Broadcaster Over Crash Cover-Up
At least two presenters working for the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB have announced they have quit their jobs. (Guardian)
British-Trinidadian Dub Poet Roger Robinson Wins TS Eliot Prize
Judges praise A Portable Paradise for finding evidence of ‘sweet, sweet life’ in the bitterness of everyday experience. (Guardian)
2020: Zero Year Thoughts About the Changes in Book Publishing"With more titles competing for sales and the advantage of blanket coverage by the big publishers diluted, it is no longer true that every title on a big list achieves a substantial minimum sale." (The Idea Logical Company)
2020 Publishing Predictions: House of Indie on Fire
Mark Coker of Smashwords writes, "It’s time to recognize that if the indie publishing movement were a house, the house is on fire and not enough people have noticed yet." (Smashwords)
