The Wednesday Web Browser: Poets & Writers Edition

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

A couple of days ago I pointed you to the classifieds in the May/June issue of Poets & Writers magazine. Today, I’m going to spotlight some articles the magazine has made available online.

–In a special section on literary journals, Sandra Beasley writes about the evolution of online journals.
–The super “Agents and Editors” series continues, this time with Jofie Ferrari-Adler speaking with agents Maria Massie, Jim Rutman, Anna Stein, and Peter Steinberg.
–Kevin Larimer updates us on small presses and lit mags.

There’s plenty of great content in the print issue, too, including Mary Gannon’s profile of Jay McInerney. Since I encountered resistance from some fiction workshop-mates when I wrote stories (in 2002) with connections to the attacks of September 11, 2001, I particularly appreciated this snippet: “And, as he did by using the second person in his debut, in The Good Life McInerney took a risk by writing about New York City in the immediate aftermath of September 11, despite advice from the late Norman Mailer to hold off ten years. ‘I was writing about the emotional texture of those three months afterwards,’ he says. ‘If I had waited, that would have faded for me.'”

This Practicing Writer’s YouTube Debut

by Erika Dreifus on
3

As you may have heard, last week marked the 50th birthday of Strunk & White’s famous Elements of Style. To celebrate the occasion, my friend Anne and I (and Anne’s husband) attended a panel discussion focusing on the book at the Museum of the City of New York.

Ron Hogan, of Galleycat (and Beatrice) fame, was also present, and he was gracious enough to invite Anne and me to share a few thoughts about the book. On camera.

To my knowledge, this marks my YouTube debut. Fortunately, I didn’t have to speak first–that’s Anne in the opening shot.

P.S.–Ron has posted a few more tidbits about the panel here.

Friday Find: Critical Mass Spotlighted Blogs

by Erika Dreifus on
3

Given my not-so-harmonious history with the National Book Critics Circle blog, I was wary yesterday morning when Practicing Writing’s site statistics revealed a surge of readers coming right from precisely that source. But what I found when I checked the NBCC blog was a very pleasant surprise.

You see, the post that was driving traffic to Practicing Writing was Rigoberto González‘s “Spotlight on Blogs.” From the post:

I attended a forum recently in which MFA graduate students impressed upon the audience the importance of reading blogs as a way to stay in the loop and keep abreast of the goings-on in the literary world. And when I wholeheartedly agreed, I was duly asked which blogs I would personally recommend. I had to think for a moment and I gave an on-the-spot reply, but I promised to relay a more substantial response once I went home and thought about it more carefully.

And that response (the post) included a full list of recommendations. Including–you guessed it–Practicing Writing.

We’re in some great company (including a couple of blogs new to me). Be sure to check them out at the post.

So here’s a big thank you to Rigoberto González (we met briefly at a CUNY event two years ago, but I’m not sure he’ll remember that), a warm welcome to all our new readers, and happy weekend wishes to the regulars!

From My Bookshelf: No Right to Remain Silent, by Lucinda Roy

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Perhaps today is the most appropriate day to share my current reading. I’ve just started No Right to Remain Silent, poet-novelist-professor Lucinda Roy’s account of/response to the tragic events that took place at her university two years ago today. So far, I’ve read only two chapters. But whether I get to read more today or not, I’ll definitely be thinking of the events of April 16, 2007.

To learn more about Roy’s new book, click here.

The Wednesday Web Browser: New York Times Edition

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Today’s “browser” brings you a number of recent items from The New York Times:

In last Sunday’s magazine, Wyatt Mason profiled poet Frederick Seidel.
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Also in the magazine: this q & a with Joyce Carol Oates.
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And from the book review: a column on book advances.
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And from the daily editions this week: an Amos Oz profile.