Do writing programs help or stifle creativity, asks the Village Voice: Of course, graduate writing programs have produced top-shelf writers: Michael Chabon, Matthew Klam, Rick Moody, Junot Diaz, Nathan Englander, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Lorrie Moore. The appeal is clear: the master of fine arts degree offers a protected two-year gestation in a supportive, creative community [...]
I’ve blogged on a few occasions about the Israeli reservists who are refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories, but I just read an article in the L.A. Weekly about a group of high-schoolers, which calls itself the Shministim, and which is also taking up the same stance with respect to army service. The article [...]
From the Independent: The Booker Prize, that unassailable bastion of British literature, is to undergo a cosmopolitan makeover which could see American authors competing for the prestigious award by 2004. An international stockbroking company unveiled yesterday as the new sponsor of the highbrow literary accolade in a 2.5m deal wants to expand its remit across [...]
A bit of good news. There won’t be any drilling for oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for a little while. Drilling was at the heart of Bush’s energy policies from the moment he took office, and the Republican-controlled House obliged him last summer by adopting it as part of its huge energy package. [...]
