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 next generation will come with all sorts of new, sometimes bewildering ways to tell important and wonderful stories. We must keep our minds open to them, especially regarding genre and form, so that we can nurture and celebrate the best of them. In a time of dangerously increasing division, we must listen. Good writing and good reading will break down barriers.” Kazuo Ishiguro delivered his Nobel Prize lecture yesterday, urging everyone to read more openly and diversely.
Novelist, critic, and philosopher William Gass died yesterday at the age of ninety-three. Gass was known for his experimental writing and for pioneering the metafiction form. (New York Times)
The National Book Critics Circle has announced the six finalists for the 2017 John Leonard Prize, given for a first book in any genre; the winner will be announced in January.
New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, who investigated and exposed the sexual misconduct of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, have signed a deal with Penguin Press to publish a book about the sexual abuse and harassment scandals that have come out in the past two months. (New York Times)
The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale has digitized a collection of Mina Loy’s papers. Among the writer and artist’s materials are drafts of poems and stories, watercolor and pencil drawings, and sketches for a variety of devices such as a blotting paper bracelet and a lampshade with the image of an airplane.
Epiphany and the Authors Guild have launched a new award for emerging writers that includes $250, membership to the Authors Guild, and yearlong mentorship with Epiphany’s editor in chief, Tracy O’Neill.
Poet Charles Simic describes some of his writing habits—writing with a pencil stub, scribbling down poems in the kitchen while his wife cooks—and questions contemporary culture’s interest in a writer’s process. (New York Review Daily)
“I feel like part of my life project has been walking up to things that freak me the fuck out and just doing them otherwise I’d be mad at myself…I feel like that’s why I’m drawn to horror.” Carmen Maria Machado talks with the Creative Independent about writing horror, balancing writing and teaching, and what she’s working on.
