Article Archive

The author reflects on what he’s learned about writing and life from attending readings for the past twenty-five years.

An author recommends five journals that published poems from his debut collection, The Gutter Spread Guide to Prayer.

The first lines of a dozen noteworthy books, including Recollections of My Nonexistence by Rebecca Solnit and Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong.

Lydia Millet’s A Children’s Bible, forthcoming from W. W. Norton on May 12, 2020.

Feeling stuck with a work-in-progress? Mimi Lok suggests changing up an element that previously felt off limits. 

“I had a substantially different version of this book that just wasn’t working, scrapped it, did that again, and then the third time was a charm.” —Charles Yu, author of Interior Chinatown

Ottessa Moshfegh’s Death in Her Hands, forthcoming from Penguin Press on April 21, 2020. Editor’s Note: This book’s publication date has been postponed to June 23, 2020. 

“Meditation is not a quick fix,” writes Mimi Lok. “It requires practice so that the mind gets used to stilling and quieting itself enough to listen.” In this Craft Capsule, Lok offers her method for cultivating stillness and silence.

“What needs to start? What needs to stop? What needs to change?” Mimi Lok shares an exercise that helps her persevere through difficult writing projects.