J.M. Meulenhoff
Encyclopedia
J.M. Meulenhoff is a Dutch
publishing house, which has built a reputation publishing literary works in Dutch and in translation. For many decades, the company was led by Laurens van Krevelen, who received the Jan Hein Donner Award (a prestigious Dutch prize, awarded once every five years to notable persons in the publishing industry) in 2007.
In 2001, the company's reputation was damaged by the departure of long-time editor Tilly Hermans, for which the Dutch and other media blamed the corporate culture of owner PCM Uitgevers
. PCM, it was said, cared more for the bottomline than for the company's authors and editors, and was blamed for a "purge" that also led to the early retirement of van Krevelen. Hermans's move--after more than thirty years with Meulenhoff she went on to found Augustus, a smaller press--was followed by an exodus of authors, some thirty of whom (including Rudy Kousbroek
and Adriaan van Dis
) followed her to Augustus. Others who left were Maarten Biesheuvel
and Stefan Hertmans
.
The company is part of Meulenhoff Boekerij, which also comprises Arena, Mynx, Forum, and De Boekerij. Meulenhoff Boekerij is a part of the books division of PCM Uitgevers
. In Belgium
, its books are published by Manteau.
The company is known in the Netherlands for having published famous science fiction
and fantasy
novels in the range M=SF
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
publishing house, which has built a reputation publishing literary works in Dutch and in translation. For many decades, the company was led by Laurens van Krevelen, who received the Jan Hein Donner Award (a prestigious Dutch prize, awarded once every five years to notable persons in the publishing industry) in 2007.
In 2001, the company's reputation was damaged by the departure of long-time editor Tilly Hermans, for which the Dutch and other media blamed the corporate culture of owner PCM Uitgevers
PCM Uitgevers
PCM Uitgevers was a Dutch publishing company. Until 2007 Apax Partners held a controlling stake in the company. In December 2009, it merged with De Persgroep to become De Persgroep Nederland...
. PCM, it was said, cared more for the bottomline than for the company's authors and editors, and was blamed for a "purge" that also led to the early retirement of van Krevelen. Hermans's move--after more than thirty years with Meulenhoff she went on to found Augustus, a smaller press--was followed by an exodus of authors, some thirty of whom (including Rudy Kousbroek
Rudy Kousbroek
Herman Rudolf Kousbroek was a Dutch poet, translator, writer and first of all essayist. He was a prominent figure in Dutch cultural life between 1950 and 2010 and one of the most outspoken atheists in the Netherlands. In 1975 he was awarded the P.C...
and Adriaan van Dis
Adriaan van Dis
Adriaan van Dis is a Dutch author, with Indo roots, who debuted in 1983 with the novella Nathan Sid. He is also known as the host of his own television show.-Youth:...
) followed her to Augustus. Others who left were Maarten Biesheuvel
Maarten Biesheuvel
Maarten Biesheuvel is a Dutch writer. He made his literary debut in 1972 with the short story collection In de bovenkooi. He received the "Ferdinand Bordewijk Prijs" in 1984 for Reis door mijn kamer. In 2007 he received the P. C...
and Stefan Hertmans
Stefan Hertmans
Stefan Hertmans is a Flemish Belgian writer. He is head of a study centre at University College Ghent and affiliated researcher of the Ghent University...
.
The company is part of Meulenhoff Boekerij, which also comprises Arena, Mynx, Forum, and De Boekerij. Meulenhoff Boekerij is a part of the books division of PCM Uitgevers
PCM Uitgevers
PCM Uitgevers was a Dutch publishing company. Until 2007 Apax Partners held a controlling stake in the company. In December 2009, it merged with De Persgroep to become De Persgroep Nederland...
. In Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, its books are published by Manteau.
The company is known in the Netherlands for having published famous science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novels in the range M=SF
M=SF
M=SF is a range of science fiction and fantasy novels from the Dutch publisher Meulenhoff. The range was started in 1967 and continues to this day ....
.
Notable authors
- Maarten BiesheuvelMaarten BiesheuvelMaarten Biesheuvel is a Dutch writer. He made his literary debut in 1972 with the short story collection In de bovenkooi. He received the "Ferdinand Bordewijk Prijs" in 1984 for Reis door mijn kamer. In 2007 he received the P. C...
(until 2006) - Roberto BolañoRoberto BolañoRoberto Bolaño Ávalos was a Chilean novelist and poet. In 1999 he won the Rómulo Gallegos Prize for his novel Los detectives salvajes , and in 2008 he was posthumously awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction for his novel 2666, which was described by board member Marcela Valdes...
- Stefan HertmansStefan HertmansStefan Hertmans is a Flemish Belgian writer. He is head of a study centre at University College Ghent and affiliated researcher of the Ghent University...
- Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García MárquezGabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist, known affectionately as Gabo throughout Latin America. He is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in...
- Mario Vargas LlosaMario Vargas LlosaJorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa, 1st Marquis of Vargas Llosa is a Peruvian-Spanish writer, politician, journalist, essayist, and Nobel Prize laureate. Vargas Llosa is one of Latin America's most significant novelists and essayists, and one of the leading authors of his generation...
- Elie WieselElie WieselSir Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE; born September 30, 1928) is a Hungarian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz, Buna, and...