Ancient Hidden Poems, Story-Time From Space, and More
How Rebecca Solnit became the voice of the left; the ferocious female characters in Claire Messud’s novels; Ava DuVernay to adapt Octavia Butler’s Dawn for television; and other news.
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
Meet at the Intersection
”I live in and think about cities a lot. When I think about intersectionality, I always see a literal intersection,” Rebecca Solnit said in a recent interview in the Nation. “Let’s hang out on the corner. Let’s meet at the intersection.” Intersectionality describes the interconnectedness of social categories, which may overlap to create systems of advantage and disadvantage. Jot down some notes on two or more social identities with which you identify, perhaps related to race, class, gender, religion, or age. Envision these categories meeting at a literal intersection or city street corner. Write a personal essay inspired by this image. Consider each category and how those categories interact and build on one another when they meet. Draw on memories and experiences you’ve had that exemplify or magnify your reality within these identities.
Liu Xia’s Poetry, the Artist’s Inner Life, and More
Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond offer advice for writers; study shows dramatic increase in profanity in American literature; the top fifty literary magazines; and other news.
Dzanc Publisher Steps Down, Young Adult Book Twitter, and More
The Nation announces two new poetry editors; breaking into the publishing industry as a tie-in writer; new books for young readers depict the Syrian refugee crisis; and other news.
Mobile Refugee Library, Laila Lalami on Assimilation, and More
The problem with Rupi Kaur’s poetry; a breakdown of the drop in book sales in 2016; Alissa Nutting’s diet; and other news.
The World’s Richest Authors, Writing Podcasts, and More
Simone White on what poetry can change; Seattle’s first civic poet revives poetry and the city; who can write female-oriented psychological thrillers; and other news.
Lenoir-Rhyne University
MFA Program
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Asheville, NC
Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions
Application Fee:
$35
Editor Judith Jones Has Died, Sylvia Plath’s Visual Art, and More
FBI director James Comey signs book deal with Flatiron; Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden’s favorite books; a case for more diverse book reviewers and critics; and other news.
Self-Defense
In times of conflict, we often experience an instinct for self-preservation. Last month, a truck transporting thousands of hagfish in Oregon was involved in a collision that resulted in the eel-like creatures spilling out and releasing massive amounts of slimy mucus onto the highway and cars. In their natural deep-sea habitat, one of the functions of the slime-spewing is as a defense mechanism, clogging the gills of attacking predators. Think of a time when you’ve responded in a stressful situation with a defense mechanism of your own. Write an essay about the encounter, exploring your emotional responses and aspects of your personal history that may have contributed to your instinctive reaction.
David Sedaris’s Process
Caption:
“Usually it’s the worst thing you can admit about yourself that most people can relate to.” David Sedaris, whose latest book, Theft by Finding: Diaries (1922–2002) (Little, Brown, 2017), is an edited compilation of his diary entries, expresses his thoughts on working on drafts and combining laughter with sorrow in this PBS NewsHour video. David Sedaris Diaries: A Visual Compendium (Little, Brown, 2017), edited and photographed by artist Jeffrey Jenkins, is featured in “The Written Image” in the November/December issue of Poets & Writers Magazine.
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