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.
Jim Milliot shares findings from a Publishers Weekly survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the publishing industry. Overall, 75 percent of respondents reported new DEI action at their companies in the past year.
The New York Times interviews top publishing figures in France, who reflect on a tumultuous year, which included a reckoning over how the literary establishment had amplified and sheltered pedophile writer Gabriel Matzneff. Publishers and prize committees have also been newly critiqued for insularity and elitism.
“Each time, I have found shocks of recognition on the page, but they are always new ones, never the ones I was remembering.” Jenny Offill writes in praise of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf and meditates on the value of rereading. (New Yorker)
With the arrival of the new year, several notable literary works have entered the public domain, including The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. (NPR)
Publishers Weekly reports on the research and behind-the-scenes work that went into producing last year’s National Book Awards in a virtual format. “We watched every single production, whether it was a bookstore doing a chat with an author or it was a huge award show that had pivoted, like the Emmys,” said former executive director Lisa Lucas.
“Having children has given me an appreciation for the preciousness and fragility of life and an appreciation for what everyone goes through.” Clifford Thompson describes how his family has informed his art practice. (Rumpus)
The editors at the Chicago Review of Books recommend twelve books forthcoming in January, including The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata by Gina Apostol and Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor.
Nick Ripatrazone previews six January poetry releases, including God of Nothingness by Mark Wunderlich and The Visible Woman by Allison Funk. (Millions)