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:
Barnes & Noble has fired CEO Ron Boire. According to a statement from the board of directors, Boire, who was hired in July 2015, “was not a good fit for the organization.” As a result, Barnes & Noble founder and chairman Leonard Riggio will postpone his retirement—which was scheduled for next month—until the company finds a replacement. (Publishers Weekly)
Did British novelist Daphne du Maurier anticipate Brexit in her 1972 book Rule Britannia? (BBC News)
Actress Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Pacific Standard—which has produced big-market movies based on books including Wild and Gone Girl—has partnered with Nicole Kidman’s production company, Blossom, to option the film rights to Liane Moriarty’s best-selling novel Truly Madly Guilty.
“Clothes aren’t just something one puts on a character to stop her from being naked. Done right, clothes are everything—a way of describing class, affluence, taste, self-presentation, mental health, body image.” At the Millions, writer Rosa Lyster looks at fashion’s role in fiction and the ways it can go wrong.
Meanwhile, poet and nonfiction writer Arielle Greenberg speaks with the Rumpus about her new collection of micro essays, Locally Made Panties, which takes on the topics of fashion, body image, consumerism, and female sexuality.
“Science fiction is never really about the future.” Writer William Gibson talks about his latest novel, The Peripheral, how Twitter allows for a quick glance “across the psychic state of the planet,” and his forthcoming projects. (Business Insider)
“Like Larry David or Louis C. K., Kafka can’t seem to escape his misfortunate predicament which seems to be associated with some kind of stunted development.” A writer considers Franz Kafka’s “sit-down comedy.” (Queen Mob’s Teahouse)
