Bookstores Sue Amazon and Major Publishers, Debut Author Lands Seven-Figure Deal, and More

by
Evan Smith Rakoff
2.21.13

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:

In a lawsuit concerning digital rights management (DRM) and e-book sales, three indy bookstores have filed a class action suit against Amazon and the big six publishers. (Los Angeles Times)

A debut author, Erika Johansen, scored a seven-figure deal for a fantasy trilogy, Queen of the Tearling, which was partly inspired by a speech by president Obama. (Washington Post)

In response to a New York Times piece about a renewed focus on short stories in our culture, Laura Miller writes, “Too bad it’s not true.” (Salon)

Meanwhile, length and form aside, Alexander Nazaryan writes: “Fiction is the next Detroit.” (Millions)

And in light of several popular collections in recent years, including John Jeremiah Sullivan’s Pulphead, poet and critic Adam Kirsch takes the pulse of the contemporary essay. (New Republic)

Here I am back and still smouldering with passion, like wine smoking.” Letters of Note features a 1932 love letter from Henry Miller to Anaïs Nin.

Today is David Foster Wallace’s birthday, and Volume 1 Brooklyn dedicated its first in a series of literary trading cards to the late author.

It’s also W. H. Auden’s birthday, and the Academy of American Poets discovered what Auden checked out of the New York Public Library.

The Onion reveals the easiest way to break into the New York City publishing world is as a film character.