Friday's Links
“Scouring the Internet for literary news so you don’t have to (even though you should anyway).”
— Think your novel is ready for publication? Ask a stranger to read page 99.
— In our last newsletter I linked to this essay from Elif Batuman about MFA programs. Here’s the best response I’ve read so far. What’s your take?
— This is a fun breakdown of some cliched author poses.
— A private company is buying up public libraries. Frightening? Tell us your thoughts: david@writebynight.net. Most interesting take wins free WBN swag.
— We enjoy these columns from our friends at C4: Armchair Detective and The Week’s Best Book Reviews.
— Fringe Magazine recently announced the topic for our fifth anniversary theme issue: Maps. Find guidelines here (and don’t forget to write “Maps” in your subject line).
— Which way do you turn upon entering a grocery store? (via The Rumpus). For a fictionalized discussion of this topic, read Alex Shakar’s excellent novel The Savage Girl. And then read his story collection City in Love. Do it!
— The very funny Sam Lipsyte, author of the recent novel The Ask, is in this week’s New Yorker.
— The very fine American Short Fiction gets some local love from the American-Statesman. Austinites, mark your calendars for ASF‘s Fall Issue launch on November 13 at Domy’s Books. Justine and I will be there. (But come anyway!)
— SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE WEEK: Finally, after all the teasing, my interview with Steve Almond over at Fringe.
— Lastly, WBN buys its books from Better World. Good cause, and free shipping.