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.
MacDowell has announced it will be piloting a virtual fellowship program in August. In lieu of traveling to New Hampshire, eight artists, including poet Brenda Shaughnessy and writer Jacob Guajardo, will come together for virtual dinners and other digital gatherings from their own homes. Executive director Philip Himberg describes the new program as an imperfect solution to the pandemic era: “We can’t get people into private studios, but we could create a community.” (Associated Press)
Substack has announced the recipients of its annual fellowships, which provide financial support and training to independent writers. Kaitlyn Greenidge was named senior fellow and will receive a grant of $100,000. Nine other fellows will each receive $25,000 grants, in addition to $3,000 stipends. Five more writers received $3,000 honorary mentions.
“Internet readings have lacked some of the magic of human connection. Is there a way to recapture that magic online?” Kate Reed Petty calls for a reimagining of digital literary events. (Electric Literature)
After losing his laptop in an airport, Stan Parish was forced to try out new methods to finish his novel. “I sketched out bullfighter scenes on my iPhone, surprised at how fast and fluid the work felt.” (CrimeReads)
“I wanted this book to go beyond the trope of ‘watch me witnessing.’” Susan Briante reflects on how to write about issues of migration in the United States. (Los Angeles Review of Books)
“Well into February, even at a distance and an ocean between, the horrific light of those flames darkened each poem coming out of me.” Recalling the recent bushfires in Australia, Marianne Boruch examines how crises inform her poetry. (Harriet)
After weathering steep revenue losses in the early months of the pandemic, Italian bookstores are cautiously optimistic that the local literary industry is recovering. (Publishing Perspectives)
Book Marks revisits early reviews of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince.
