New Thomas Pynchon Novel Set for September, Free College-Level Writing Classes, and More

by
Evan Smith Rakoff
2.25.13

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:

Barnes & Noble's recent earnings announcement has caused many to wonder what its plans are for the Nook. (Fast Company)

A new Thomas Pynchon novel will be published in September—the story is set in New York City's Silicon Alley. (New York Daily News)

Jason Boog rounded up nine free online college-level writing and literature classes. (GalleyCat)

In light of the Academy Awards last night, author Roger Rosenblatt lists his favorite films about writers. (New York Times)

And editor Nicholas Thompson reveals how Joshuah Bearman's Wired magazine story, on which the Oscar-winning film Argo is based, came in fifth place out of the twelve pitches at that day's editorial meeting. "It was clearly a good tale, but it wasn’t clearly appropriate for a magazine about optimism and the future." (New Yorker)

Author Roxane Gay shares her thoughts on the Oscars telecast, and an offensive Oscar-related tweet by the satirical newspaper, the Onion. (Rumpus)

Today, the Onion apologized. (Daily Beast)

Buzzfeed found the best locations in the world if you love books.

And critic David L. Ulin discusses the personal value of physical books: "Since childhood, I’ve been both reader and collector, not just defining but, in the most tangible sense imaginable, framing my world through books." (Los Angeles Times)

If you're going to AWP 2013, Boston-based Ploughshares has everything you need to know.