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

A new study indicates that reading literature improves empathy and social skills [2]. (New York Times)

With a reisssue of Max Perkins: Editor of Genius out this month [3], the Guardian looks at the life and work of the great editor, and suggests publishing professionals such as Perkins are still sorely needed.

Poet Paul Muldoon will host an off-Broadway tribute to the late Seamus Heaney [4] on November 4th at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York City. (Broadway World)

The Wall Street Journal visits the new Edgar Allan Poe exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum [5], which features three of twelve known copies of Poe’s self-published first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827).

On her Tumblr, bestselling author Lauren Grodstein shares notes from a book tour [6], including a bookstore reading no one attends.

Meanwhile, Lisa Alber details her bumpy road to publication [7], replete with missing literary agents and a global economic crisis. (Debutante Ball)

Freddie Moore wonders what would have happened had J. D. Salinger followed his father [8] into the lucrative business of cheese and meat importation. (Airship)

And from the department of things found online, a comic called Jonathan Franzen Says No [9].