Remembering John Lewis, Reading Poetry in Crisis, and More
Dan Crowe and Matt Willey plan new annual literary magazine; Lauren Beukes compares her fictional pandemic with reality; Margot Harrison reflects on cyber horror; and other stories.
Genre: Not Genre-Specific
Seeking Relief Funding for Libraries, Curtis Sittenfeld’s Guide to Writing a Short Story, and More
David James Poissant on attempting to write a timely novel; the Guardian seeks nominations for its “Not the Booker” Prize; Adrian Tomine on turning inward in his new graphic memoir; and other stories.
Literary Arts Emergency Fund, Inclusivity in Bookselling, and More
Vintage Español to publish Spanish edition of Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist; Andrew Martin reflects on ordering the stories in Cool for America; Miah Jeffra talks decolonizing artmaking; and other stories.
The National Book Critics Circle Rebuilds, Colson Whitehead Announces Next Novel, and More
The movement to free poet Varavara Rao; Ann and Jeff VanderMeer on the evolution of modern fantasy; Marisa Silver talks character development; and other stories.
Lisa Lucas to Depart National Book Foundation, Transformations at the Top Levels in Publishing, and More
Antiracism training with Robin DiAngelo; Literary Hub highlights the best books still forthcoming this year; Preety Sidhu recommends novels that center essential workers; and other stories.
The Virtual Writing Community
I’ve lost track of the days and how many Zoom meetings and events I have attended since the start of this pandemic. All the days are a blur of keyboards and news feeds.
The toll of uncertainty on the body, mind, and spirit is real. I encourage you to unplug some days and find small joys. This pandemic will not be a sprint but a marathon. Pace yourself with quality time, loved ones, and perhaps your favorite ice cream.
One of the things I have enjoyed during quarantine is being able to attend events virtually. I would not have been able to afford or travel the distance to see many of the kind of events I’ve “attended” online. There are some great virtual events that are really giving unprecedented access to talks, writers, workshops, and more. Many are listed in the P&W Literary Events Calendar. Take advantage of them. Allow your mind to think less local and more global. Even if we ever return to a maskless society, technology will be our bedfellow.
I’m happy to say I’ve made some virtual new friends and discovered new writers that I enjoy.
Have you been attending virtual events? Have there been some pleasant surprises? Let me know how literary virtual events are impacting you for the good on Twitter, @NOLApworg.
Kelly Harris is the literary outreach coordinator for Poets & Writers in New Orleans. Contact her at NOLA@pw.org or on Twitter, @NOLApworg.Colson Whitehead to Receive Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, Strand Book Store Union Criticizes Owner for Layoffs, and More
The Transpacific Literary Project to publish new folio on monsoons; three writers with disabilities reflect on difficult conversations; new bookstore owners in Chicago learn the ropes mid-pandemic; and other stories.
Reflections on #PublishingPaidMe, Writers Respond to Harper’s Letter, and More
Jia Tolentino on the pandemic, politics, and protest; Layla F. Saad on approaching anti-racist work with intention; Carlos Fonseca recalls the images that informed Natural History; and other stories.
American Booksellers Association Proposes Reforms, Greenlight Bookstore Issues Apology and Action Plan, and More
Corinne Manning on writing about abuse; Orwell Foundation announces 2020 prizewinners; Stephen Epstein discusses his path to literary translation; and other stories.
The Best Reviewed Books of Early 2020, Nan A. Talese Announces Retirement, and More
Comedian and writer Phoebe Robinson to launch her own imprint; Simon & Schuster hosts memorial for Carolyn Reidy; Patricia Lockwood on surviving COVID-19; and other stories.
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