Caitlin Flanagan goes on a road trip through California — including Sacramento, Berkeley, and Malibu — visiting the homes of the late Joan Didion and exploring why her writing has had such a powerful effect on people. Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The White Album created a new vocabulary of essay writing, one whose influence is […]
publishing
Posted inEditor's Pick
‘This Is Going to Change the World’
“As the new millennium dawned, a mysterious invention from a charismatic millionaire became a viral sensation—then went down in flames. Ever since, I’ve wondered: Was it all my fault?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Why I Paid Tenfold to Buy Back the Rights for Two of My Books
Kiese Laymon on revision, radical friendship, and community.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Feature, Featured, Nonfiction, Story
Grieving, but Calmed by a Different Kind of Storm
In isolation, Stephanie Land finds surprising relief from PTSD — and discovers she is able to write again.
Posted inAuthor Notes, Blog Post, Commentary, Essays & Criticism, Highlight, Nonfiction
Why I’m Giving Myself Permission to Keep Writing at This Time
Our stories matter. And they are our legacies for future generations. (Plus: some free writing resources.)
Posted inBooks, Essays & Criticism, Story
American Dirt: A Bridge to Nowhere
“Jeanine Cummins can write about Mexico — but she will be judged on whether her writing actually captures the experiential and emotional and ethical complexity of that place, and she will be judged with extra care because she is an outsider.”
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Feature, Featured, Nonfiction, Story
Why I Wanted To Finish My Father’s Life’s Work
Karen Brown recalls the pain and joy of fulfilling a deathbed promise.
Posted inArts & Culture, Blog Post, Nonfiction
Editors Thinking About Editing at the AWP Conference
The only way to work as an editor and a writer is to continue learning from other editors and writers.
Posted inArts & Culture, Nonfiction, Reading List
Lawrence Ferlinghetti at 100: A Reading List
Beat poet and City Lights publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti turns 100 on March 24. Here’s a reading list to celebrate the centenarian.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books, Media, Nonfiction, Story
How the Guardian Went Digital
Remaking itself from a little leftie newspaper to a powerhouse of internet journalism required experimentation, transparency, and embracing uncertainty.