Object Lesson
article posted 7 days ago
Not that I’m surprised really, but here’s a truly great bad example of the downside of the internet’s blend of anonymity and accessibility.
Certainly, there was a lot wrong with the hegemony of what has become known as “gatekeepers,” but I can’t be alone in my nostalgia for standards. Or for the notion that actions can, and should, have consequences… But, have a look at this case and see what you think.
Universal Stories, etc.
article posted 9 days ago
My friend Lewis DeSimone has published an interesting meditation on “universality” in fiction, the publishing business, and the notion of the closet. These are things I’ve thought about a fair bit myself (and discussed with Lewis on a couple of occasions) so I read his piece with great interest, and though I could quibble with some terminology – after all I can quibble with just about anything – I think he makes some serious points here and raises questions about which anyone who cares for literature might well reflect.
You can read it all over at the Advocate’s site.
For What it's Worth...
article posted 39 days ago
Once again Granta brings us a round-up of promising new novelists and the list usually provokes discussion when it appears, so I thought I’d share it.
This version is somewhat more international than usual which is interesting.
You can find it here.
ImagiNation Event
article posted 44 days ago
For those of you who will be in Quebec City on the weekend of April 13, 2013, I am taking part in the ImagiNation Festival and it would be lovely to see you.
The onstage interview and reading take place at the Morrin Centre and you can get all the details here
Hope to see you!
And... As if Enough Weren't Happening Already
article posted 52 days ago
There’s been a lot of talk in recent days about Amazon’s purchase of Goodreads: some of it very nervous, some of it less so. None of it, however, has been indifferent. Here’s a piece at The Guardian that rounds up some of the key points.
Personally, I’ve found myself wavering about whether or not to join Goodreads in the last little while… and this news hasn’t slowed that wavering down.
Anyhow, have a look at the article if you’re so inclined, and see how you feel.
Timeless Advice
article posted 60 days ago
A recently discovered letter by Oscar Wilde offers a little writerly advice about the importance of not relying on literary work as a source of income. It’s a fascinating find — and an early draft of his poem “The New Remorse” was found along with it.
Of course, given the current state of literary publishing, it might seem unnecessary to remind most contemporary writers that they’d be well advised to hold on to that day job. But, should one be feeling resigned (and a little Romantic), it’s not uninteresting to be reminded that the whole situation could, just possibly, have a positive aspect for the work.
Here it is.
A Little Good News...
article posted 74 days ago
Since those of us interested/involved in writing and publishing have to grapple with the onslaught of bad news battering the field most of the time, I thought I’d share this little bit of good news.
It’s nice to see the real vitality of online literary publishing acknowledged once in a while.
Content, Class and Access
article posted 76 days ago
What initially seems like yet another salvo in the debate about publications demanding free work from writers is up here. Happily, however, the piece goes on to look at the important questions that underlie the debate.
Who can afford to write for free? What happens when publications expect this kind of thing? Is there an impact on quality? On the whole darn culture, in fact?
Worth considering, I think. So have a look at the article and ponder the issues as you see fit.
Enjoy! (?)
Everything Old is New Again
article posted 103 days ago
Okay… I’ll admit there’s not that much real info here but it’s an interesting idea, and an interesting bit of context in some ways. I guess I like it because I’m increasingly suspicious (and bored, but that’s another story…) by the self-congratulatory claims of some of the cyber-gnostics out there. After all, is “new” enough? Is “new” even new?
Here you go; hope you like it.
Sad, Bad & Dangerous to Discourse
article posted 119 days ago
The Times ran an article about some of the abuses to which online “reviews” are subject.
It’s a pretty interesting look at what is, admittedly, an extreme case, but one that doesn’t feel entirely unrelated to the kind of thing that happens pretty regularly on book/music/etc websites.
Have a look and see what you think.