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:
“S O S compiles the most complete representation of over a half-century of revolutionary and breathtaking work.” Poet Claudia Rankine, whose newest book, Citizen: An American Lyric, was a National Book Award finalist and is nominated for two National Book Critics Circle awards, reviews late poet Amiri Baraka’s S O S: Poems 1961-2013 for the New York Times.
The recent news that Jon Stewart will step down as host of The Daily Show has certainly upset his viewers, but the announcement could also be bad news for the book industry. At the Washington Post, Ron Charles notes that “in an increasingly fractured market, The Daily Show has been a singular platform for authors to promote their books.”
A letter from Johnny Cash to his wife June topped a recent poll for the “greatest love letter ever written.” The Guardian provides an alternative list of author love letters. Zelda Fitzgerald, for example, felt particularly swoony after talking to F. Scott Fitzgerald on the phone in 1930: “I walked on those telephone wires for two hours after holding your love like a parasol to balance me.”
On the topic of love letters, here’s a modern guide to writing the perfect love letter, which includes some helpful rules about metaphor use: “No financial metaphors, particularly employing the conceit of what an excellent investment your lover is.” (Atlantic)
Actor and comedian Ben Stiller is set to adapt Gary Shteyngart’s novel Super Sad True Love Story into a television series. The series script will be cowritten by Stiller and Karl Gajdusek. (Electric Literature)
In more book adaptation news, Jeff Bridges will star in an adaptation of Claire Messud’s bestselling 2006 novel The Emperor’s Children. Actress Lake Bell will direct the film. (Hollywood Reporter)
To continue with this celebrity theme, Open Culture recently posted links to audio streams and videos of ninety famous authors and celebrities reading poems and stories.
Celebrities aside, it’s a good time for independent bookstores. The tenth anniversary of the American Bookseller Association’s Winter Institute took place earlier this week, and showcased the resurgence and enthusiasm of independent booksellers across the country. (Publishers Weekly)
