Jennifer Egan Leaves Alfred A. Knopf for Scribner, Long March of Year-End Lists, and More

by
Evan Smith Rakoff
12.19.12

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:

The architecture firm behind the controversial renovation of the New York Public Library revealed its design plans. (New York Observer)

Jennifer Egan, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her last novel, A Visit From the Goon Squad, has left Knopf—which published Goon Squad as well as her 2006 novel, The Keep—and joined Scribner, which reportedly offered Egan seven figures for her next two books. (New York Times)

Patti Smith told Billboard she intends to write a sequel to her bestselling memoir Just Kids.

Giles Harvey examines "attention deficit in an age of cultural surfeit," and considers the work of John Ashbery, Geoff Dyer, and others. (New Yorker)

The march of year-end best books lists continues, with Emily M. Keeler offering her favorite books at the Millions.

Michele Filgate shares her best books of 2012 at Vol. 1 Brooklyn.

And the Poetry Foundation created a list of its favorite year-end lists. (Harriet)

The New York Times selects its favorite cover designs of 2012, including Chris Ware's Building Stories.

Not to be outdone, for Tin House's blog, author Elissa Schappell creates a list of her favorites, including "Best Book of 2012 that will convince your parents that you’re a serious person and they ought to lend you money."