W H Chong reveals the winner of the 2011 Men’s Franklin Award — the new term for the Miles Franklin, since no ladies are allowed — as well as discussing the new Women’s Franklin Award.
Authors
An intriguing read that paints a vivid portrait of the publishing industry
Does a plug by another author on a book cover ever convince you to buy it? Author Bill Morris explains the delicate business of ‘blurbing’, where writers indulge in mutual pats-on-the-back and help aspiring writers get their books onto shelves.
The five most clichéd author photos
When it comes to author photographs, the options are pretty limited. Will you choose the ‘my thoughts are so deep and heavy I need to hold my head up’ pose or the classic ‘I’m so comfortable here resting on the couch’ shot?
Do you write for yourself or an audience?
It’s a common issue with authors: who is the target audience? For an intensely private activity, writing can have very public repercussions. And the sweet innocence of a first novel can never be replicated, notes Jessica Au.
The famous last words of famous authors
A collection of literature’s famous last words, from Anton Chekov’s “It’s a long time since I drank champagne” to Virginia Woolf’s “I feel certain that I’m going mad again …”
Don’t mention the Mockingbird
Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird has been a recluse ever since her famous book was published. Sharon Churcher interviewed Lee on the condition that The Book was a no-go zone.
E-books: no pulping, no typos, no end in sight
Pulping and reprinting are costly issues in book publishing. Hence the joy that e-readers bring, with the ability to easily download updates for book stuff ups. But what are the drawbacks?
The good bits of bad writing
The best way to improve your own writing? Read crap work, from lousy poetry to an embarrassing first novel. If the internet has given us anything, it’s unprecedented access to terrible writing.
The scrawlings in David Foster Wallace’s library
The late David Foster Wallace used to annotate his books and the manner in which he did is just enchanting — makes you want to shimmy your hands and shuffle your feet, says W H Chong.
“I despise Shakespeare” — the best literary feuds
Authors are fickle, sensitive creatures, but at least their war of words with each other make for good reading. Like Mark Twain on Jane Austen: “Every time I read Pride and Prejudice, I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone”.
Writing: it’s a career, not a lifestyle choice
Author Charlie Stross explains why being a writer “sucks”: it involves long hours, no money, extended periods of isolation, and the added pressure of running your own business.
Hitchens: Dickens was a bit of a dickhead
Charles Dickens was a great writer, but a fairly awful human being, says Christopher Hitchens. Still: who better to write about lives of misery and misfortune than someone who knew it so well?
Want to write a book? Become an editor
Usually being a writer and being an editor was a complete different kettle of fish. But is it actually advantageous for a young author to work in the publishing industry or does that just cause writing and reading fatigue?
The sad story of the Miles Franklin award
The Miles Franklin shortlist was announced today and shortlisted author Alex Miller let rip at the slipping profile of the award, slamming “Rudd the dud” and his PM Literary Awards for taking the spotlight off the prize.
When good writers are bad people
It can be crushing to find out your favourite author is (or was) actually a bit of a jerk, writes literature expert Sam Schulman. But should we let it affect our enjoyment of their books?
How to pronounce author names correctly
How to pronounce author names correctlyPut your best literary snob reading glasses on and practise pronouncing the difficult-but-cool author names in the correct manner. It’s not SAL-men Rushdie, it’s sahl-MAHN Rushdie, thank you very much.
PHOTO GALLERY: The drunkards and junkies of the literary world
It may be wrong to glamorise drug and alcohol abuse, but this fascinating gallery of famous literary addicts — with names like Edgar Allan Poe, Phillip K. Dick and Hemingway — show that at least pain does make great art.
Book nerd alert: the best reading of 2009
Salon collects a range of popular authors, from Nick Horny to Judy Blume and Junot Diaz, to share their best books of the year. Just in time for holiday reading (or present giving).
Why women make the best bloggers
How come women can have fame and glory as bloggers online but rarely reach the same heights in the offline literary world? asks James Bradley. Is it because blogging lends itself to more chatty girl talk?
Writing tips from Peter Carey: train, practise, stretch every day
Author Peter Carey dishes out advice for wannabe scribes, comparing the training and dedication needed in writing to that of a professional sportsperson. Plus, stop watching TV. Or looking at the internet. Uh oh.
We are all authors now
Two scientists have plotted the number of published authors per year since the year 1400, finding that with the rise of social media, the number is growing nearly tenfold every year. Authors — once an elite minority — will soon be a majority.
Which famous author would you go boozing with?
Literary figures are long time lovers of drinking and alcoholism. Would you have been more likely to share a tipple with Oscar Wilde or a rum with Ernest Hemingway? Take the quiz!
Heathrow Airport’s writer in residence
Author Alain de Botton is writing a new book — from the middle of London’s Heathrow Airport. His book, masterminded by the airport’s PR department, will document his experiences living in the airport for a week, chatting to travellers, baggage handlers, airline executives and others.
Are all sci-fi writers insane?
The idea that sci-fi and fantasy writers are a few bottles short of a six pack is one that has probably around for as long as the genres have existed, says Renai LeMay. But the grown adults who dream about dragons and space ships all day may just be some of the sanest people around.
