Tom Clancy Dies at 66, Writers on Government Incompetence, Family Memoirs, Author Website Tips, and More

by
James F. Thompson
10.2.13

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:

Tom Clancy, bestselling author of complex and technologically astute military novels--such as The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, which were made into Hollywood blockbuster movies--died this morning at age 66 in Baltimore. (Los Angeles Times)

Flavorwire takes a timely look at famous authors and their thoughts on government incompetence.

Joy Castro, author of Family Trouble, writes about the perils and challenges of writing a memoir about family. (Biographile)

The Huffington Post offers website tips authors can use to connect with readers and grow a fan base.

Actor James Franco appears alone on the cover of the movie tie-in edition of As I Lay Dying, incurring backlash on social media. (New York Times)

Michael Symmons Roberts receives the Forward Prize for Poetry for his collection, Drysalter, which is comprised of one hundred fifty poems that are all fifteen lines. (NPR)

Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman debuts a comedic memoir, Paddle Your Own Canoe, in which he tackles topics such as acceptable names for facial hair.

GallyCat examines what Obamacare and the new Affordable Care Act mean to self-employed writers.