“It took me more than a year to put aside my fear of attempting it.” —Lan Samantha Chang, author of The Family Chao

The author of Nobody’s Magic reflects on writing in African American Vernacular English.

Atom Atkinson reflects on teaching toward their students’ imagined queer futures; Xochitl Gonzalez considers the lessons of wedding planning for writing a novel; a Tennessee school distrcit bans Art Spiegelman’s Maus; and other stories.

The new fiction anthology Anonymous Sex has an unusual conceit; the American Booksellers Association gears up for board elections; Kim Fu reflects on the rewards of writing; and other stories.

Elisa Gabbert considers the “lyric decision”; Laurie Hertzel writes in praise of reading without imposing a deadline; Daphne Palasi Andreades discusses learning to “feel free on the page”; and other stories.

Colm Tóibín has been selected to serve as the next Laureate for Irish Fiction; Jami Attenberg reflects on the importance of curiosity; biographer Ruth Franklin discusses Shirley Jackson’s genre-defying career; and other stories.

“It’d be easier for me to stop talking than to stop writing.” —Tochi Onyebuchi, author of Goliath

The author of Nobody’s Magic shares lessons from writing an unlikable nonnormative character.

Macmillan announces two-year partnership with Start Lighthouse with $84,000 donation; editor and writer Ann Arensberg has died; Esmée Weijun Wang interviews Andrew Garfield for the Believer; and other stories.