Visiting Julian Fellowes, Banned Chinese Writers, and More

by
Evan Smith Rakoff
11.8.12

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:

Simon & Schuster reports its sales were down in the third quarter, yet earnings rose, and digital sales increased 20 percent. (Publishers Weekly)

A crime writer in Texas, Nancy Mancuso Gelber, was recently imprisoned for contracting to murder her husband. (Huffington Post)

Vanity Fair visits with novelist, screenwriter, and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes.

With hacking prevalent, the New York Times provides advice for writers and anyone else who uses a computer—how to create a proper password.

This month, to draw attention to censorship, Words Without Borders features the work of banned Chinese writers.

The Millions rounds up a rogue’s gallery of literary characters who'd never be elected to office.

Author Nicholson Baker has been posting songs on YouTube. (Vol. 1 Brooklyn)

Jezebel features a list of advice F. Scott Fitzgerald gave to his daughter, including: "Don't worry about popular opinion."

If you're thinking ahead for the holidays, consider the Bibliochaise, a chair that showcases three hundred books. (Daily Candy)