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:
A new autobiography by Stephen Fry has been released simultaneously as a hardcover, an ebook, and an iPhone app. A digital publisher at Penguin explains: “Every word of The Fry Chronicles is in the myFry app, but the design and technology have allowed us to create an experience that would not be possible in print, and discover a new way to present an author’s work.” (Telegraph)
A box of old books, including one dating back to 1614, was brought into a bookstore in Virginia earlier this summer to be sold. As it turns out, the exceedingly rare books were the property of the U.S. Department of Justice, to which the books were returned on Saturday. (Winchester Star)
The Vatican Library will reopen on Monday after a three-year renovation, "much to the relief of academics around the world." (New York Times)
The e-reader wars took a turn with the latest Kindle vs. iPad commercial from Amazon. According to paidContent.org, "this one is as direct as the Corona ad where she squirts lime juice at his wandering eye."
Viet Nam News takes a look at the thriving second-hand bookstore scene in Ho Chi Minh City.
Scott Weiland, the rocker best known as the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots, is set to release a memoir from Simon & Schuster in March. (Toronto Sun)
The David Foster Wallace archives at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, will officially open today. (New York Times)
According to eBookNewser, it may take up to two months for Google Editions to respond to submissions of new books, "so now might be a good time to start submitting books for holiday release."
