For the weekend: some writing-related reflections, news, and resources to enjoy.
First up: Some marvelous items produced in connection with the latest Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Writing program residency. I recommend that you spend a good chunk of time with Patrick Ross’s “MFA Nugget: An Entire MFA in Writing Residency in One Post” (warning: you’ll actually end up reading more than one post) and with new graduate Sarah Seltzer’s graduation speech.
Still thinking about the fact that there was no Pulitzer awarded in fiction this year? So is one of the fiction jurors. Check out Michael Cunningham’s two-part commentary for The New Yorker.
Making the Internet rounds: Patrick Somerville’s Salon essay titled “Thank You for Killing My Novel” (subtitle: “The New York Times panned my book, then had to correct the review to fix all their errors. So why am I not angry?”)
As usual, I find myself agreeing with much of what Carol Tice shares in “5 Stupid Things You Do in Social Media that Brand You a Pariah.” (Numbers 1 and 5 happen to irk me especially, too.)
Last, but definitely, definitely not least: Algonquin Books presents its fall 2012 “Reader,” comprising brief introductions to (and excerpts from) the publisher’s forthcoming fiction titles. The introductions, which explain the genesis of each book, are written by the respective authors. I’m always fascinated by the origins of others’ fiction, so this would have pulled me in even if I didn’t already admire Algonquin’s list and didn’t know some of the authors represented this fall. Side note: If you’re looking for a forthcoming title for your book-reviewing practice, you may well find one here.
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday!
