Every day Poets & Writers Magazine scans the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know. Here are today’s stories.
The Academy of American Poets, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, and the National Book Foundation have established the Literary Arts Emergency Fund to help writing organizations outlast the coronavirus pandemic. With the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the three nonprofits will administer a total of $3.5 million via one-time grants of $5,000 to $50,000. Applications open today and will be accepted through August 7. (Washington Post)
The Los Angeles Times checks in with local indie booksellers to learn how different stores are responding to conversations about antiracism and inclusivity in bookselling.
Vintage Español has announced it will publish a Spanish translation of Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist on October 27 this year. “I have been waiting to place this book before Spanish-speaking readers, especially as a wave of anti-Latinx racism flows through American politics,” says Kendi.
“The selection and placement felt like the reward after the difficult work of actually writing the damn things.” Andrew Martin shares how music informed his approach to ordering his story collection, Cool for America. (FSG Work in Progress)
“I have not found the balance of activism with art, nor have I gotten close. I imagine that will be an ongoing effort for all artivists.” Miah Jeffra on decolonizing artmaking and celebrating queer ancestors. (Rumpus)
“Everything he touched was multidimensional. He understood that suffering could not exist without love and exuberance.” Nadia Niva searches for a future in the writings of David Wojnarowicz. (Lambda Literary Review)
“When it comes to her depiction of the English upper classes, Colegate has no equal.” Lucy Scholes writes in praise of Isabel Colegate’s The Orlando Trilogy, which was recently reissued in the United Kingdom as Orlando King. (Paris Review Daily)
Tara June Winch has won the Miles Franklin Award for her 2019 novel, The Yield. The annual prize honors a novel that presents “Australian life in any of its phases.” (Guardian)
