Genre: Poetry
Editor Judith Jones Has Died, Sylvia Plath’s Visual Art, and More
FBI director James Comey signs book deal with Flatiron; Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden’s favorite books; a case for more diverse book reviewers and critics; and other news.
Poem Drafts, NEH Announces 2017 Grants, and More
Tips for raising kids as good writers; Patti Smith remembers Sam Shepard; award news from both the Poetry Foundation and Restless Books; and other news.
Debora Kuan
“I had a million wishes too, but more than that, regrets...” Debora Kuan reads her poem “Fertile” from her collection Lunch Portraits (Brooklyn Arts Press, 2016) for the Brooklyn Poets Reading Series.
The Great American Read, Randolph College Launches New MFA, and More
Forty years of Sam Shepard reviews; the most anthologized essays; Astro Poets sign a book deal with Random House; and other news.
Classic Snacks
Watermelon, Mississippi Mud Pie, Red Velvet, Pumpkin Spice, Firework. The original Oreo with its classic pairing of chocolate cookie and white cream filling might remain unchanged, but over the years the Nabisco company has released limited edition flavors to the delight of some fans and the confusion or disapproval of others. Write a poem dedicated to a beloved snack from your childhood, exploring how it has changed or remained the same throughout the years. Consider the effect that consistency has on your life, even in the form of a favorite snack.
Sam Shepard Has Died, Age Discrimination Complaint at Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and More
An Illinois bookstore owner is running for Congress; how Rachel Cusk is reinventing the novel; the most anthologized essays of the past twenty-five years; and other news.
Michiko Kakutani Steps Down from New York Times, Clinton Memoir, and More
Lesley Nneka Arimah on short fiction and the writing workshop; how the Trump presidency is affecting book sales; a diamond-shaped library in Minsk, Belarus; and other news.
Man Booker Longlist Announced, the Writer’s Diary, and More
Tracy K. Smith and Carla Hayden on CBS This Morning; Octavia Butler’s Parable series as the dystopian novel of our times; poet Ocean Vuong on optimism; and other news.
Poetic Memoirs, Writing Advice, and More
The TSA will not implement policy of checking books at airport security; two publishing veterans launch a marketing company; the blurring lines between literature and video games; and other news.



