The Crisis in Nonfiction Publishing, Women Writers and the Diary Form, and More

by
Staff
6.29.15

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:

Is there a crisis in nonfiction publishing? Spectator literary editor Sam Leith discusses how mainstream nonfiction publishers are currently producing too many “talking point” and “smart thinking” books that simplify ideas rather than expand human understanding of the world. (Guardian)

At the New Republic, Jordan Kisner examines the work of women writers, including Heidi Julavits, Sarah Manguso, and Jenny Offill, who use the diary form to confront the anxiety of passing time.  

Haruki Murakami remembers the precise moment, at a baseball game in 1978, when he decided to become a novelist. (Literary Hub)

French film director Claire Denis has enlisted acclaimed British author Zadie Smith, and Smith’s husband, writer Nick Laird, to coauthor the script of an upcoming sci-fi movie. Filming for the yet untitled project, which is set in outer space, will begin early next year. (Flavorwire)

Bookstores and libraries across the country are planning events for the July 14 publication of Harper Lee’s novel Go Set a Watchman, including read-a-thons, film screenings, and discussion groups. (New York Times)

“A story, a poem, a novel, or a memoir won’t reach its best destination without the labor of reconsideration, without the ability to see afresh what is obscure, or incomplete. And neither will the story of our lives.” Author Philip Graham considers various ways in which writers can learn to embrace and eventually self-heal emotional or psychic wounds from the past. (Millions)

Poor critical reception certainly did not hurt sales of the Fifty Shades of Grey book series. The series author, E. L. James, is reportedly worth £37 million (that’s approximately $58.2 million American, for anyone who’s counting). (Telegraph)