Gigantic’s going intergalactic with Gigantic Worlds, the lit journal’s first venture into book territory, in the form of a sci-fi flash fiction anthology. Authors include Jonathan Lethem, Lynne Tillman, Ed Park, Grace Krilanovich—and potentially you. Gigantic is currently seeking funding for their mission: the more money they raise, the nicer the rocket ship (or something like that).
Otherworldly Mission Seeks Crew and Funding
Offshore Seinfeld
One Indian call center's "culture training" involves the study of Seinfeld episodes, writes Andrew Marantz. Hopefully they don't screen the Harold Pinter-inspired episode, "The Betrayal." Meanwhile, Joshua Kurp has located most of George's ex-girlfriends.
Blade Culture
In Preparation for the Next Life, Atticus Lish showcased his ability to write brutal, unforgiving stories in terse, economical prose. This new short story from Granta is no different (and no less beautiful).
●
●
On the Auction Block
It exists! The long-lost letter from Neal Cassady that inspired Jack Kerouac to write On the Road will be auctioned next month at Christies, ending an 18-month-long battle over its ownership and another 60-year-long battle over its existence. As Kerouac said, "It was the greatest piece of writing I ever saw, better’n anybody in America, or at least enough to make Melville, Twain, Dreiser, Wolfe, I dunno who, spin in their graves."
●
●
The Giant of Myth
The late David Rakoff was a longtime Salon contributor, and to celebrate his memory, the site published an excerpt of his rhyming novel, Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish, which came out today.
●
●
Goodreads Recommendations
Goodreads has unveiled its new book recommendation feature. Unlike Amazon's feature, Goodreads' will draw data from every book you've read and logged, not just those you've purchased online.
●
●
“In 1941, sadness is at its peak”
Here's a novel idea: using literature to map out the emotions of a time period. (1940s? Sad. 1920s? Happy. 2010s? ...Don't ask.)
●
●
“Polyamory is the ambitious but campy attempt to love without loss”
If you enjoyed last week’s sneak peek at Elisa Gabbert’s forthcoming poetry collection, you’ll want to check out her collaboration with Kathleen Rooney at Nailed Magazine.