Reading Through the Screen, 2020 Griffin Poetry Prizes, and More

by Staff
5.20.20

Every day Poets & Writers Magazine scans the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know. Here are today’s stories.

“Reading is so solitary. I hadn’t anticipated that I would miss doing it with other people.” Gal Beckerman visits various online reading forums, from smaller book clubs to the Stranger’s weekly virtual silent reading party. (New York Times)

Kaie Kellough has won the 2020 Griffin Poetry Prize for Canadian poetry for his third collection, Magnetic Equator, while poet Etel Adnan and translator Sarah Riggs took home the international prize for Time. Both the Canadian and international awards include a prize of $65,000 CAD. (CBC)

Lambda Literary has awarded the 2020 Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Midcareer Novelist Prize to Larissa Lai. In their citation, judges Shani Mootoo and Brian Leung wrote, “Lai has been an enduring and important voice in literature regarding issues of queerness, identity in general, language and citizenship.”

Macmillan and Hachette Book Group have introduced new sales policies that seek to offer some financial relief to independent bookstores. Both companies will begin offering special discounts on orders, longer payment schedules for outstanding invoices, and other benefits. (Publishers Weekly)

“I came to the conclusion that what I loved more than anything, and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, was to think. Period.” Patrick Madden discusses his latest book of essays, Disparates, and pushing beyond “ready-made” language in pursuit of new meanings. (Millions)

In an interview at the Los Angeles Review of Books, David Hamilton recalls his work as a teacher, editor, and writer.  

Carry A Book, a new social networking app, helps readers meet new friends with similar literary preferences in their region. (Forbes)

Anna Russell reviews the recent television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. (New Yorker)

And the Daily Shout-Out goes to Rattle for its virtual “Critique of the Week” Facebook Live series, in which participants can observe “how the Rattle editors would encounter a poem if it were a submission.” Viewers are also encouraged to contribute their own ideas and feedback in the comments.