Shane Salerno Answers Critics of Salinger Doc, Ralph Ellison Ban, and More

by
Evan Smith Rakoff
9.20.13

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:

A professor of English in South Carolina has solved the mystery surrounding the authorship of a nineteenth century novel called The Bondwoman’s Narrative. The author is Hannah Bond, who was enslaved in North Carolina. Author and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. brought attention to the rare manuscript after purchasing it in 2001. (New York Times)

Shane Salerno answers critics of his Salinger documentary in the pages of Esquire.

WFMY has more on the Randolph County, North Carolina, school board’s decision to ban Ralph Ellison’s 1952 novel Invisible Man.

Steve Almond looks at the career of bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, in light of the release of a new novel The Signature of All Things. (New York Times)

“Pattern is repetition occurring with sufficient regularity to create an expectation for it.” Poet Ellen Bryant Voigt discusses her latest collection Headwaters, as well as her background in music. (Granta)

Appearing at the Center for Fiction in New York City next week, Stephen King reveals the book that transformed him into a reader.

Meanwhile, legendary designer Milton Glaser discusses a simple, but profound and generous gesture from a high school teacher. (Explore)

From Nellie Olesen to Mrs. Danvers, the Huffington Post rounds up favorite meanies.