The French are really into bookstores. Like, physical ones.
“Running a bookstore is a combat sport”
Where Emily Writes
Our own Emily St. John Mandel makes an appearance in Brooklyn Magazine’s feature on “Nine Brooklyn Writers and How They Work.” Come for the interview, but stay for the photograph of Emily actually using her stand-up desk (which she’s shown us before).
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Shades of Censorship
“I was absolutely horrified. Wouldn’t have known if not for a Russian reader who read both editions. Publisher in total breach of contract.” The Guardian reports that author VE Schwab was “devastated” to learn scenes from her fantasy series Shades of Magic have been excised from Russian translations for featuring queer characters. See also: a consideration of the commercial viability of LGBTQ lit.
West Hollywood Library Auction
In addition to signed first editions and fancy restaurant dinners, the silent auction for West Hollywood’s new library included a special-edition signature mattress set.
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A Voice of Gravitas
Claire Vaye Watkins’s essay on pandering has gotten a lot of responses, including one from Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James. Over at NPR, they discuss the issues of sexism and racism in publishing, cultural ventriloquism, narrative authority, and more.
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The Common in the City Party
Tonight! Celebrate 3 years with The Common. You can still buy tickets to this elegant lit party here. André Aciman reads from his latest novel Harvard Square.
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Cocktail Hour
“0.5 hrs: Read this week’s New Yorker fiction. 0.7 hrs: Hated on New Yorker writer with her derivative characters & mise-en-scenes. 0.1 hrs: Looked up ‘mise-en-scene’ on Wikipedia. 1.3 hrs: Phone call with writer friend; discussed how much New Yorker fiction sucks. 0.5 hrs: Drafted & emailed query letter to New Yorker (for super postmodern story).” The good people at McSweeney’s imagine an impossibly tedious world where writers and poets bill by the hour.
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