Every day Poets & Writers Magazine scans the headlines—from publishing reports to academic announcements to literary dispatches—for all the news that creative writers need to know. Here are today's stories:
The Wall Street Journal provides some of the Twitter backlash over a negative review of two Alix Ohlin books by author William Giraldi in the New York Times Book Review.
Meanwhile, in response to Giraldi, author and critic J. Robert Lennon breaks down how to write a "good bad book review," which includes the advice, "don’t be a dick." (Salon)
Newly released FBI files on Sylvia Plath's father Otto Plath, indicate the Prussian born scientist was investigated over alleged "pro-German" sympathies during World War I. (Guardian)
GalleyCat looks at Penguin's recent purchase of self-publisher Author Solutions, and what that entails for self-published authors.
New York magazine's Kathryn Schulz lists the fall books she most wants to read.
In a personal essay for the Rumpus, Chad Simpson discusses his mother's love of books, and the unpublished manuscript Chad hoped to give to his mother in her final days.
Journalism insider Jim Romenesko reports the Village Voice is near collapse.
Author Larry McMurtry writes of his attempt to cull his Texas bookstore's inventory by trying to sell three hundred thousand titles. (Los Angeles Times)
Cracked rounded up six insane acts of writing, including the work of Henry Darger, James Joyce, and nine-year-old Daisy Ashford.
Recently, five writers—Donora Hillard, Mary Miller, Elizabeth Ellen, Brandi Wells, and Chloe Caldwell—toured five Southern states in seven days. CNN details the Southern Summer Comfort Book Tour.
