Canongate's Myths

Canongate, the independent Scottish publisher that made its presence felt a few years ago by bringing out books by Michael Faber and Yann Martel, among others, and is now known for its quirky, diverse list, has launched what sounds like a wonderful new series.

Entitled The Myths, in collaboration with 24 other publishing houses, it's billed as “the most ambitious simultaneous worldwide publication undertaken”.

In each book, a writer retells a myth. The first three — Karen Armstrong’s A Short History of Myth, Jeanette Winterson’s Weight and Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad — are to be published next month. (Future authors include Donna Tartt, Chinua Achebe, Victor Pelevin and David Grossman.)

You can read an interview with Jamie Byng, the man responsible for the upturn in Canongate's fortunes, here.