Belle Boggs, one of the five writers featured in our tenth annual debut-fiction roundup, is the author of the collection Mattaponi Queen, published by Graywolf Press in June.
In addition to features from the award-winning print edition, the magazine online offers daily news items, advice from writers, and our popular blog about writing contests.
May/Jun 2012
by Staff
Online Only, posted 5.25.12
A comprehensive survey of self-published authors reveals surprising findings, today's writers feel less compelled to look to the past, and today is Towel Day.
by Evan Smith Rakoff
Online Only, posted 5.24.12
Amazon is taking steps to ban spam and non-exclusive content from its Kindle Store; tonight the New Yorker will publish a new story by Jennifer Egan via Twitter; the Guardian looks at T. S. Eliot's influence on contemporary songwriters, such as Arcade Fire, P. J. Harvey, and Radiohead; and other news.
by Evan Smith Rakoff
Online Only, posted 5.23.12
Publishing-industry veteran Mike Shatzkin shares the letter he penned to the Department of Justice regarding its antitrust lawsuit; Dwight Garner examines the life and work of poet Richard Brautigan; author Amy Shearn recently discovered her grandmother kept a correspondence with Hemingway's second wife, the journalist Martha Gellhorn; and other news.
by Jan Weissmiller
Before heading to the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, held throughout June and July, get acquainted with the reading series, bars, landmarks, and people—including our guide Jan Weissmiller, co-owner of indie bookseller Prairie Lights Books—of designated City of Literature Iowa City.
by Rebecca Keith
May/June 2012
As literature concerned with today’s often-grim realities gains new prominence, a handful of literary organizations are highlighting the connection between poetry and politics and strengthening the network of socially conscious writers.
by Evan Smith Rakoff
Bookstore sales dropped over 4 percent in February; backlash to the Pulitzer Board's decision not to award a fiction prize; Sarah Weinman reveals the secret formula for a mega-bestselling novel; and other news.
by Melissa Faliveno
March/April 2012
In the midst of the political protests that were escalating in Wisconsin last winter, three library science majors at the University of Wisconsin devised the Library as Incubator Project, a website for writers, artists, and librarians to share their creations and ideas in one collaborative space.
by Adrian Versteegh
March/April 2012
Thanks to the accessibility of new digital tools offered by booksellers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, self-publishing is loosing its stigma and holds new promise for writers venturing out on their own.
by Evan Smith Rakoff
HarperCollins secured the rights to publish Amanda Knox's memoir for a reported four million dollars; novelist Martha Southgate shares her thoughts on the life and death of Whitney Houston; an editor overheard a conversation on the subway, and the publication of a debut novel was set in motion; and more.
Jan Weissmiller, co-owner of indie bookseller Prairie Lights Books, writes about the bars, reading series, landmarks, and people of the legendary Iowa City in this month's City Guide. (Just in time for the start of the Iowa Summer Writing Festival in June!)
The May/June 2012 issue of Poets & Writers Magazine is out, featuring a special section on writing contests, profiles of writers Nell Freudenberger, David St. John, and Ben Fountain, plus select articles online. Take a look!
Get The Time Is Now, a selection of writing prompts and exercises posted three times a week, to help keep you writing all year long. Sign up to have them delivered right to your in-box.
If you’re looking for writing competitions, MFA creative writing programs, or literary magazines and small presses that welcome both new and established writers, begin here. If you’re seeking employment in the literary world, be sure to visit our Jobs for Writers.
Make your connections in the Speakeasy Message Forum and join discussions about literary agents, conferences, writing contests, MFA programs, and other topics of interest. Search our Directory of Writers to find contact info, publication credits, and bios of 9,389 authors.
Poets & Writers can help pay the fees for writers participating in literary events such as book readings and writing workshops in New York State and California, and in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Seattle, Tucson, and Washington, D.C.
Check out our videos, podcasts, and slideshows to see and hear the writers who inspire you.
Your personalized access to the articles you love, the information you need, the writers you want to remember.
Poets & Writers needs to add 100 new Friends this month. Become a Friend and help us continue support pw.org and all of our programs, publications, and services that allow writers like you to exchange advice, stay current, get published, and connect with audiences.
Join the Community of Writers
![[logo] Barnes & Noble](files/promo.barnes-noble.gif)
![[logo] Amazon.com](sites/all/themes/pw/images/promo.amazon.gif)
![[logo] National Endowment for the Arts](sites/all/themes/pw/images/NEA-logo-color.gif){kind=logo}