Popular fiction and publishing 1960s-1990s

Robinson, Moira C. (2002). Popular fiction and publishing 1960s-1990s. University of Birmingham. M.Litt.

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Abstract

The popular fiction publishing trade is thriving at the end of the twentieth century and so is its ability to create bestsellers, but the average author remains poor. In seven chapters this thesis will outline the processes and agencies that have driven the trade forward and established the conditions for the creation of bestsellers. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the changes in the book trade between 1960 and 2000. Chapter 2 looks at the rise of literary agents, the huge increase in their numbers, and how they have transformed the modern publishing world. Chapter 3 is a survey of the literary prize and awards scene. The following four chapters look in detail at four very different bestsellers: the unexpurgated Lady Chatterley's Lover by D H Lawrence (1960), The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (1977), The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie (1988), and The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans (1995), to assess how they have contributed to the revisions in the publishing trade. In the conclusion I evaluate these changes in the trade and conclude that while the industry's flair for creating bestsellers will continue, very few authors will benefit.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Litt.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Litt.

Supervisor(s):