As of December 31, Random House, the largest trade publisher in the United States, will freeze the pension plan funds of its current employees, and will eliminate the plan as a benefit for new hires.

Last night the National Book Foundation announced the winners of the 2008 National Book Awards at a ceremony in New York City.

Two states last week announced the appointments of new poets laureate. Marilyn Taylor was named Wisconsin’s poet laureate by Governor Jim Doyle. In California, the honor was given to Carol Muske-Dukes by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Each will serve as poet laureate for a two-year term.

Hudson Booksellers, operator of the ubiquitous Hudson News stands so familiar to travelers, recently announced their picks for the best books published in 2008.

A sizable collection of papers, photographs, and personal items of Ezra Pound was recently acquired by the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin.

A recent study found that literature can be a useful tool in shaping the public's understanding of political and economic issues, perhaps having more of an impact than academic writing on the subjects.

Nam Le was recently awarded the second biennial Dylan Thomas Prize for his debut short story collection, The Boat (Knopf).

A president is not obligated to have a poet read at his inauguration, but Barack Obama's soaring rhetoric and eloquent speaking style that captivated millions during his long campaign has some wondering if he will invite a poet to read a little something next January.

Eleven prominent authors came together recently in signing a statement defending Milan Kundera against recent allegations that the Czech novelist was a police informant for the Communist regime in his youth.