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:
Judge Tomie Greene has dismissed the case against Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, filed by Ablene Cooper, a housekeeper for Stockett’s brother, because the lawsuit was filed after the statute of limitations had expired. (Washington Post)
Maryland-based Publish America—a controversial print-on-demand publisher, cited by many in the industry as one that allegedly deceives authors—had been promising to deliver authors' manuscripts and personal notes to J. K. Rowling, charging them forty-nine bucks for the "service," until J. K. Rowling herself caught wind of the claim. She was not amused, and promised swift action. Publish America has since taken down the offer. (Sacramento Bee)
Many authors across the country received the same e-mail last night, informing them that BookTour.com—a web-based book-promotion site and creator of a tour-calendar widget—is shutting down September 1. "Fewer author tours and changes in book marketing budgets" are listed as the main culprits. (LA Observed)
In 1890, eight years before it was incorporated into the five-boroughs of New York, Brooklyn was the fourth-largest city in America. Now, according to author Evan Hughes, “more people live in Brooklyn than in San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Miami put together.” And it seems most of them are writers. The New York Times takes a look at Hughes's new book, Literary Brooklyn.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival, which takes place the last three weeks of August each year, is in full swing, and today the Guardian published candid photographs of some of the writers appearing at the festival, as well as an interview with The Time Traveler's Wife author, Audrey Niffenegger.
The Millions interviews novelist Geoff Dyer about how his neighborhood was affected by the recent London riots, his new column for the New York Times, and the United States release of his 1994 novel, The Missing of the Somme.
From the offices of Rolling Stone, Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson sometimes was motivated to mail rejection letters to would-be authors, written in his signature style. (Huffington Post)
Last night on television, author John Hodgman suggested some interesting and thought-provoking ways to save bookstores. (Daily Show)
Flavorwire offers a list of literary couples—lovers whose stars maybe were a bit too crossed.
