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.
Three staff members at Wayne State University Press, including the editor in chief, have been let go. The university did not provide specific reasons for the terminations, but spokesperson Matt Lockwood states the press “will continue to operate and publish books as it has for the last seventy-five years.” (Detroit News)
Charles Yu advises approaching unconventional form with intention. “You start off in a place where the reader thinks they understand. Then you take the reader to a place where they, or at least for me as a reader, are disoriented on some level. And it’s by your design.” (BOMB)
Yu recently answered Ten Questions from Poets & Writers Magazine.
Jenn Shapland reflects on recommending books to dates, friends, and lovers. She remembers the many times she has shared The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson, and what was revealed in each exchange. “Objects make love visible. They give us an archive, a timeline with clear milestones.” (Literary Hub)
“I could survive not having science, but I couldn’t survive not having writing.” Brandon Taylor talks to the New York Times about choosing writing over biochemistry, but drawing on his scientice background to write his debut novel, Real Life.
Wired talks to Vikram Chandra about his new software project, which helps novelists build and track “rule sets” for complex story universes.
Valerie Stivers cooks up culinary delights (and horrors) inspired by the work of Brazilian author Hilda Hilst. (Paris Review Daily)
Abi Daré talks to the Rumpus about her debut novel, The Girl With the Louding Voice, and instilling her protagonist with courage and strength.
For winter reading, Kiran Millwood Hargrave recommends seven titles that demonstrate “incredible mastery over the language of cold.” (Electric Literature)
