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 #TwitterFiction festival is back. Hosted by Penguin Random House, the Association of American Publishers, and Twitter, the festival, which celebrates digital storytelling, kicks off today and runs through Friday. More than twenty authors, including Margaret Atwood, Celeste Ng, and Lemony Snicket, are sharing new, original stories, one tweet at a time. Follow the #TwitterFiction hashtag to read along, or share new fiction of your own. (Mashable)
Speaking of Twitter, British author J. K. Rowling has spoken out about recent online abuse on the platform. The Harry Potter creator was subjected to numerous threats and abusive language after voicing her support of the campaign to keep Scotland part of the U.K. (Guardian)
Mark Danielewski, the author of the experimental bestseller House Of Leaves, is releasing another groundbreaking project: His new novel, The Familiar, Volume One: One Rainy Day In May, which comes out tomorrow from Pantheon, is 839 pages. But that’s not all: The book is the first of twenty-seven planned installments. Danielewski talks to NPR about the series, which he says is “about this little girl who finds a kitten.”
“There is something about the study of creative writing that makes people—from both inside and outside the discipline—love to bash it.” Marian Palaia weighs in on the enduring MFA vs. Real Life debate. (Literary Hub)
McSweeney’s announced plans last fall to become a nonprofit, and is now looking to readers for help. The independent publisher, which was founded in 1998, has launched a Kickstarter campaign in the hopes of raising $150,000. Donations are open until June 5.
Despite curbed plans to develop a major New York City trade publishing presence, Amazon Publishing continues to expand its operations. The publisher is now comprised of fourteen imprints based in six cities, has plans to expand its nonfiction list, and is scheduled to publish 1,200 titles this year. (Publishers Weekly)
At the Paris Review, Leanne Shapton interviews Heidi Julavits, the author of The Folded Clock: A Diary. Julavits responds using only e-Bay auction articles.
“A preface is an ars poetica for a book, for a literary life. A preface often feels like the writer sitting across the table from the reader, and saying, listen, now I am going to tell you the truth.” At the Millions, Nick Ripatrazone reflects on the art of introductions, forwards, and prefaces.
